The Understanding of Fog Computing - what you should know!

Cloud computing has presented businesses with a new way to store and access unmeasurable amounts of data, all the while removing the need to house bulky and expensive premise-based servers and hardware. Smartphones are continually delivering and receiving data, however, they are restricted to the limitations of cellular networks – and so are the businesses that transmit data to smartphones and mobile devices. The challenge here is that transmitting data to and from the cloud all comes down to bandwidth availability. Mobile apps have become the preferred method to carry out activities and tasks online because they allow users to work directly from their smartphone and the mobile device handles a portion of the data and processing.
Since a growing number of devices are becoming ‘smart’, and are able to connect directly to the Internet, the amount of data being generated on a daily basis is quickly surpassing the processing capabilities of 3G and 4G networks. As the world becomes more connected, and smart technology integrates with more and more devices, this challenge will only persist.

Why does the US have so much data?

According to the World Economic Forum, American’s rank 35^th in the world in terms of bandwidth use per person. And, we continue to invent and develop new products that can not only connect to the Internet, but also send and receive data from the cloud. Interestingly, according to  GE, a single engine from a Boeing 747 generate half of a terabyte of data in just one flight – consider the amount of data generated in a year of flights!

Now, what about fog computing?

Unlike cloud computing, that houses data in a network of powerful servers, fog computing stores data at the edge of a network of smaller computers. The primary objective is to house the information on the objects that are gaining traction as ‘smart technology enabled’ items. This includes things like cars, household appliances, and anything else used in the day-to-day world that are gaining smart status. Practically anything that can easily be monitored or measured will eventually become Internet-ready.
Once these items become Internet capable, they will make up the network of smaller computers, or the ‘edge’ of the network. At the core of this network is a series of data centers, and the edge is comprised of things like home computers and smartphones. This will present us with invaluable and viable solutions for future data storage and will reduce some of the load restrictions from conventional cloud services.
Currently, the future of business computing remains in the cloud, however, as connectivity and demands for smart technology grows, fog computing is becoming more and more relevant. This is a technology to watch for.

10 Reasons Why Your Business Needs to Host its Mobile Apps in the Cloud

It’s becomingly increasingly common for businesses across the nation to host their mobile apps in the cloud. It is exceedingly obvious that businesses of all calibres have recognized the advantages of storing their data in the cloud. In fact, just three short years ago, the estimated spend on global cloud services exceeded $180 billion and have experienced upward trends ever since.
Considering that giants like Netflix, Newsweek and LinkedIn have all elected to host their mobile apps in the cloud, it is clear that this is the technology to watch. Why has cloud hosting gained so much traction in modern business circles? Here are 10 reasons why your business needs to host it’s mobile apps in the cloud.
1. Reduced Spending: By turning to the cloud to host their mobile applications, businesses completely remove the need to purchase – and then to maintain – expensed on-premise hardware. Much of these savings are seen through increases in operating efficiencies as time that would have previously been spent on standard upgrades or preventative maintenance can now me allocated to other functions like app development.
2. Increases in Efficiency: Following efficiency trends, removing bulky premise-based equipment also means removing the need to employ dedicated IT staff to manage a physical server – leaving it to the experts to handle offsite.
3. Interoperability: Previously, utilizing your own server to host your mobile apps may have results in serious compatibility issues. Now, instead of limiting your app development to match the capabilities of your server, you can focus on the benefits of heightened interoperability gained by having access to highly advanced server technology.
4. Reliability: As anyone who has ever had to maintain their own server has found, there is a tremendous risk for downtime, whether this comes from hard drive issues, CPU issues or some other fault – if your server does not work, neither do your mobile apps. Choosing to host in the cloud means 99.999% uptime ensuring that your data is always available.
5. Increased Speed: As businesses scale, so does their need for increased bandwidth, speed and storage capabilities. Businesses who are not working with a dedicated host would be required to invest in costly server upgrades, and might also run the risk of not mobile apps not being available during the upgrade – not the case with cloud services.
6. Trial Runs: Purchasing and installing a physical server does not often allow for a trial run period to explore whether or not the server is capable of meeting all of the demands of the business. Services run in the cloud, on the other hand, can easily be trialed to make sure the best service is being received all the time.
7. Support: Typically, in cloud hosting, round-the-clock technical support comes standard with every service option. Unlike physical servers that are maintained by internal employees.
8. Scalability: As mentioned earlier, as a business grows, their server must scale with it. This is not always possible for premise-based servers. Servers hosted in the cloud, however, can scale easily and without service interruption.
9. Data and Analytics: There are many reasons why businesses might want to track employee data and their data usage, however, organizing this information can be cumbersome. When data is stored in the cloud, it is virtually accessible from anywhere.
10. Security: Businesses have access to a ton of personal and confidential information and keeping this data safeguarded is top priority. Preventing data breaches – and backing up data – on a physical server is time consuming and often difficult. Servers hosted in the cloud, and managed by experienced professionals, utilize some of the best security protocols available and add layers of protection that physical servers simply cannot offer.
Hosting in the cloud makes so much sense for modern businesses. Smaller businesses benefit from having easy access to front-running technology and technical experts, and larger businesses benefit from secure and scalable servers that grow with them – not against them.

How a CTO helps to grow your business

A CTO is a Custom Technology Officer – know what a CTO does, why it’s important to use one, and your options in obtaining a CTO.
How a CTO helps to grow your business
A CTO is a Chief Technology Officer, a resource dedicated to helping small and medium-sized businesses to design, implement, measure, and maintain critical technology systems that ensure optimal functioning – and maximum value.
Why a CTO is important
Do you have a small or medium-sized business? Then you for certain have (or need to have) important technology systems in place that function well to serve your needs, and with someone who knows how to ensure the systems’ optimal functioning – continually. The CTO should be able to constantly address technology management for your organization.
Why technology management?
Your CTO needs to discuss your business needs, provide technology advice to increase your company awareness, identify the scope and types of available technology, recommend technology to meet your needs, provide your company with technology implementation advice, and then implement the technology along with policies and procedures to keep it functioning well.
The CTO should educate employees on effective use of the chosen technology and provide ongoing technology analysis and monitoring. Technology management should include:
Planning
Productivity analysis
Vendor evaluation
Technology assessment

How to obtain an expert CTO
Understandably, many companies have neither the resources nor the experience to provide needed technology advice. It’s often just not practical to add full-time CTO assistance into the budget.
Another option includes selecting an expert technology company with experienced people who can come alongside to answer your technology questions, provide valued advice, and help you to grow your business using today’s technology.
You need to find someone who knows technology well, at least as well as you know your own business. Try custom CTO services from a technology company who can provide just the needed technology services when, and for what, you will need them. And then be your watchdog to carefully look out for you to avoid pitfalls and suggest opportunities.

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6 Things to Keep in Mind When Designing Your Business App

You’ve always been told to think objectively, keep the ‘big picture’ in mind, and mobile app design is no different. Successful app design requires an overarching strategy and some sort of knowledge of the end-user and their habits.
Unfortunately, in the rush to go-to-market, something the little things get overlooked – and the little things are what make a big impact. We’ve put together a list of the 6 most common mistakes that businesses make when designing a business mobile app so that you can avoid them!

6 Things to Keep in Mind When Designing Your Business App

 

1. Finalize the flowchart before you start working.

You may be confident that you know exactly what you want your mobile app to do, but you should never start designing your app until you’ve completed a flowchart that details every step of the enduser process. What will they see when the app is first opened? Will they have specific choices when creating their profiles? What happens when they click? What about next? Map out every transaction from step one to the exit screen.

2. Graphics are important.

Graphics play a key role in creating a user-friendly experience. Cheaping out on image quality is never a great idea. Use high resolution images from the get-go and then reduce quality as needed.

3. Don’t forget to leave fingers enough room to tap.

It might seem like a good idea to fill as much empty page space as possible, but it’s not. You need to keep apps clean and easy to navigate with large enough hit areas that users can easily tap.

4. Don’t go crazy with intro animations.

Starting a user experience with a quick animation is fun, but it quickly loses its novelty. Remember that whatever animations you use will be present each and every time the app loads. And, since the animation cannot run its course until the app loads, you risk delaying or preventing the user from accessing your app.

5. Don’t keep users in the dark.

Loading pages that are blank or don’t include some sort of indication that the app is working are confusing and leave users wondering if there is some sort of glitch. Remember to use a progress indicator of some sort to keep your app users informed.

6. Don’t assume the app is user-friendly.

You designed your app, of course you know how to use it – don’t expect the same of the average user. Allow someone outside of the development team to take a trial run of the app to determine if they love it as much as you.
When it comes to app design, the proof is in the details. Keep these in mind during the development process and the end result will be an intuitive and user-friendly mobile app!