Category: Technology

What Does WhatsApp’s Desktop App Mean for Enterprises?

November 21, 2016

Ever since Facebook purchased WhatsApp, it has become quite clear that this is a tool that will likely be used a lot. WhatsApp Web has been downloaded by millions of people across the world, and most have written positive reviews about it. The recent update also fixes some connection issues which the app previously had. To use WhatsApp Web, you need to have a WhatsApp account on your phone. Once you scan the QR code on your phone, you will be able to download and use WhatsApp Web on your computer. This makes it easy for you to send longer texts, documents, and other kinds of media. WhatsApp may give tough competition to Skype What we really need to understand here is that WhatsApp may soon replace Skype as the go-to-texting service. Skype is old, clunky and is losing its appeal among youngsters. It is still preferred by businesses, especially because of its teleconferencing facilities. However, sooner or later, people will begin to move to WhatsApp simply because it is more intuitive and easier to use than Skype. Let us take a look at how WhatsApp can be used in businesses. Enhance productivity Text messaging can always boost productivity. However, when employees begin to use WhatsApp in between on their cell phones, it is usually a waste of time. However, by making WhatsApp the primary mode of business communication, and by making it easier for employees to use it on their desktops, we can actually enhance productivity. Whether they send personal messages during work won’t be a big issue at all, because they will use the same tool to communicate with staff. Encouraging communication It is always good to encourage communication within an organization. Text messaging enhances that. As WhatsApp is already familiar to most people, it is easier to implement it at an enterprise level. Moreover, there are no additional costs to this. All you need is to ask the employee to start using WhatsApp on their work computer. Security WhatsApp provides end-to-end encryption, which keeps all messages safe. Yes, there is a theory that WhatsApp does not delete all messages permanently. Yet, it is not something that concerns most business operations. On the other hand, it is easier to retrieve messages if they are deleted by mistake. Ease of use Most people are already familiar with WhatsApp. So, it is always easier to move them to a platform that they are familiar with. It also helps that it doesn’t cost anything to use on the desktop. The reason why most people use WhatsApp is because of its ease of use. It is intuitive, user-friendly and always synchronized. Take home message WhatsApp launched its web tool a few months ago, and it is now very popular among users. It helps to share documents, files, and text quickly on a desktop or laptop. This service can easily be integrated at an enterprise level. The benefits are security, ease of use, enhanced communication and increased productivity.

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Does Every Company Need to Have a Mobile App?

November 14, 2016

Most companies today are moving towards enterprise mobility and many of them seek to have mobile applications of their own. While mobile applications provide a great opportunity to engage the audience and communicate with them, it may not always be the best option for every company. Sometimes, the business of the company might be such that an application may not be required. In a different scenario, a big budget app may not be required but a simple one might do the trick. There is also a tendency these days to erroneously assume that apps replace websites. This is not true. Enterprise mobility is not only about mobile applications but it encompasses a lot of other areas. Yet, companies choose to go the app direction, and it is not always an advisable thing to do. Apps are made with specific purposes under specific circumstances. They need to be viable for the business and its objectives. Unfortunately, too many companies have tried to develop apps that lie ignored and unused by intended target audiences. This does not mean apps are not required, but they may not be necessary for every organization. Consider these questions before settling on a mobile application: Do you have the budget? Apps cost money. It is not easy for a small company to invest in a top notch application and expect that everything is going to go smoothly. Apps need updates, their security needs to be very high, and they also need to be very intuitive. All this costs money and if companies do not have the budget required for an app, it is probably a good idea not to venture into this space, as a sub-standard app is only going to place the company in a poorer position. Do you really need it? A lot of times, you may not need an app. Your company probably just needs to invest in web development. Maybe your website just needs a mobile website and not a mobile app. There are a number of situations where you will not need a mobile application. Consider your situation wisely, and only then must you make a decision. What purpose does your app serve to you or your audience? List all the benefits and advantages of the proposed app. What business purpose does it serve you? Is it going to bring any value to your consumers? How is it going to help them? Can’t this be solved just by adding features to a mobile website? There are a number of questions you need to ask yourself before you decide to have an application. Do not hurry up. As you can see, there are a number of reasons why you may not need mobile applications. Most importantly, you need to consider if you are going to really make any profit from the mobile app. Otherwise, you might just be crossing your budget and investing in something that may not be urgent. However, investing in web development, lead generation, social media campaigns, etc are more urgent. Even more urgent is the need to automate and move most of your data and processes to the cloud.

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How Far Could Wearable Tech Go?

October 31, 2016

There was a time when we thought exoskeletons would be the last of what we would hear, when it came to wearable technology. Now, there are underclothes to detect how you feel, and even a skin that you can wear. How far can we possibly go, and is it really the right thing we are doing? Wearable technology is a great way to solve many problems. Most importantly, it has the ability to enable the disabled, and monitor and treat the unwell. It also has the ability to help you stay healthy. With all these benefits, there is also a dark side to it. How far can we take technology and is it really wise to put up so much of information about ourselves, and our bodies up there in the cloud? The answer to this question, like for many others are, is it depends. We need to consider the strides made in wearable technology, partly due to artificial intelligence. A day may come when our bodies will no longer be just flesh and bones. It would consist of flesh, bones and chips. Chips and circuits that are flexible and bendable may become part of the first skin that can be worn. Another application is, apparently, to turning your skin into a touch screen. The more we read into wearable tech, the more mind-boggling and surreal it gets. Yet, it is not stopping anywhere and is only likely to grow. So no matter how we feel about this new reality, it is a reality that we must come to terms with. It is not easy to predict how far wearable technology will go, but there are a few things that we can consider, to keep ourselves safe. Choose only products you trust There are a lot of products out there, that make use of wearable technology. It is not possible to verify the credibility of each of these products. While security issues lurk, there is also the issue of allergies. Many people seem to develop allergies to materials from which wearable tech products are made. It is important to choose companies that take this matter very seriously. Apple Watch is one such example, which of course, is not allergic when you wear. A good idea is to choose products from companies that are well-known and reliable. Ask yourself if it is necessary Most of the times, we purchase products that we do not need. Like the aforementioned underclothes that read your emotions, there are many products which may not be very urgent to many people. Consider what your needs are and invest in wearable tech products that actually bring a positive change in your life. You need to understand that most wearable tech may not be needed for you at a given time. Speak with your healthcare providers if a product is necessary. Purchase only those. Otherwise, you might simply wear gadgets that collect information about your body, and may not really be useful to you in anyway. Practice safe storage There are times when people share their wearable gadgets with others. This isn’t a very good practice. Secondly, it is important to set the privacy controls for your gadget (if that is possible). Third, you need to know that all technology comes with a security risk, wearable tech including. For this reason alone, there needs to be extra caution while using these devices. You do not want everyone to know what your health issues are. Accept the changes in the world A lot of changes are taking place in the world. One of them includes wearable tech. We have come a long way from thinking future wearable tech would look only like exoskeletons. While exoskeletons continue to help the disabled, there are many other ways of using wearable technology. Some can be inserted into tissues, while others can be worn on the body, like clothes. These changes are inevitable and it will probably determine how we will live in the future. We need to accept the inevitable. After all, it is only when we become adaptable do we survive. If it requires us to use wearable tech, we just have to. Look forward to an exciting new future We need not look at wearable tech as something scary from George Orwell’s novel 1984. To most of us, wearable tech seems to be an exciting way to embrace all the goodness that technology has to offer. It only creates possibilities. While one can retain the option of not wearing them, if it helps in certain health conditions, there is no reason why you shouldn’t. Moreover, it might soon become your doctor’s prescription to wear technology. That day isn’t too far. As long as we embrace new technologies, we will be in an easier position to adapt to future situations. Summing up Certainly, wearable technology is one of the hotly-discussed topics of today. There does not seem to be any sign of the movement growing slower. With an ever increasing need for alternative treatments, and to push forward towards a more healthy body, wearable technology could be the next big thing. Combined with artificial intelligence, wearable tech is already revolutionizing the world. We can take a few steps to accept this new reality, whether we like it or not. First of all, we need to ask ourselves if we want to wear whatever wearable tech we are planning to wear. The second question we need to ask is, if we really want it. Next, we need to learn to protect data security. There are many ways to do this, when it comes to wearable tech. Next, we need to accept that the tectonic shift toward wearable tech has already taken place. The only thing we are yet to do is embrace it wholeheartedly. By embracing it, we will open ourselves to new opportunities, and that is certainly a good way to build our future. Have you considered using wearable tech? What are your opinions on this matter?

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Making Peace with Rapidly Changing Technology Helps You Accept Losses

October 21, 2016

Accepting changes is one of the most fundamental difficulties that we as human beings face. We resist change when we change schools, we resent change when our friends move away, and we resent our own parents if they separated or moved away from us. Change is not always pleasant and it is not always for the better. Cities change, buildings are torn down, favorite bars and cafes are closed down and everything starts to seem unfamiliar and strange. Jim Morrison of The Doors once sang “Strange days have found us, strange days have tracked us down, They’re going to destroy our casual joys, We shall go on playing or find a new town” The essence of this opening stanza is that change always brings with it the unknown. Even if the change is for the better, we unconsciously resent it. We may become accustomed to old and current ways, and when something disrupts what we already, our status quo is destroyed. Yet, like Jim so wisely says, we shall go on playing or find a new town. And we must. [php snippet=1] Accepting technological changes Think about IT companies that deal with changes on an everyday basis. While they are always open to changes, somewhere there is always a fear of being upstaged by a newer and tougher technology, fear of not playing catch-up with newer start-ups and the fear of salvaging what has been lost to changes in technology. Underlying all this fear of changes is resistance to change. The more we resist to changes when they occur, the more we are going to resent it, fear it and ultimately, lose our minds. No matter how much loss you have experienced because of all the tech buzzwords, there is always hope. There is always hoping to make peace with that which you have lost, and that which you may gain by wholeheartedly embracing changes, in spite of all your vulnerabilities. This brings us to the stage of becoming comfortable with discomfort or the state of being vulnerable. Once we accept and embrace our vulnerabilities, we tend to become more resilient, and are more open to taking proactive actions to embrace changes as they occur, instead of fearing them and mourning the losses. We become peaceful, and will no more be bothered about strange days finding us. We will not fear change and instead, we will make peace with changes, technological or otherwise. Now let us take a look at how we can effectively stop fearing change, and make peace with it so that we can embrace technology as it changes, no matter how radical. A 7-step process to overcoming resentment towards change, and embracing it Calculate your losses One of the first things that you must do in order to assess what technological change has done to your damage is to calculate your losses. If you have not upgraded from legacy systems to a cloud based computing model, you probably have already lost a lot in time and money. Objectively analyze your losses and seek help from people who are good at these kinds of jobs. Calculate your losses and quantify them, and print those charts in your office for everyone to see. Every single employee in your organization must know what are the losses incurred for not having embraced changes. Mourn your losses Begin the process of mourning your losses. Mourning is a very crucial and important step when it comes to healing. It is also important when it comes to moving towards success in a business that is not functioning very well. Be candid to your board of directors and be frank to your employees. It is perfectly OK to feel sad, angry and dejected our losses and to regret what was not done earlier. However, do not dwell on these emotions. After a while, know that there are 5 more steps for you to complete your healing journey. Accept that you are not in control The next step in healing is to admit that you are not in control of changes that take place on an everyday basis in the world of technology. Technology changes at a rapid pace and it is not easy to remain informed about everything and make all the changes necessary. You are not always in control and no one is. It is only human to be powerless against the tides of change unless one is prepared. Accept this vulnerability of yours. Accept that you are vulnerable The next step is also to realize that you are vulnerable. Vulnerable to changes, vulnerable to losses, vulnerable to stressful situation, people yelling at you, to constant taunts from competitors and vulnerable to self-criticism. All these things make you more stressed out, and far-removed from the changes that continue to happen anyway, no matter how you feel about it. By accepting that you are vulnerable, you will begin to see the light of the day as it is. It might be cloudy and rainy, and it might even be stormy. Wait for that to pass, and there will be sun shining bright sooner or later. Begin to learn about changes that are taking place Once you realize that you are not in control over things that happened to you and that you are vulnerable to things that can happen to you, start doing something about it. The first step is to equip yourself with knowledge. Knowledge may come from interacting with people from your industry, networking with influential people, reading books, listening to podcasts and just about anything, including taking classes. You need to understand and learn about the changes that have taken place in your domain, and also understand in a realistic manner what kind of changes you can expect in future. Seek help to bring those changes in your life Once you assess the changes that are taking place and are likely to take place, seek professional help. Ensure that you have a counselor or a psychologist to discuss your emotions and

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Why Disruption Has Taken a Backseat?

October 19, 2016

We have heard this before and you’ve probably read it a number of times – that disruption is taking place and that things will never be the same again. First came the email, and finally came Uber. Everyone’s waiting for the next big disruption to happen. Yet, things seem to cool down. The reason for this is, too many start-ups have begun to consider themselves disruptors and too many investors have been investing in the wrong businesses. The bubble sooner or later had to crack. Do we always need disruption? What is real disruption anyway? It simply is not possible for everything to be disrupted through technology alone. Moreover, a few things need not be disrupted at all. At the heart of this fancy towards disruption is a need for sensation. Disruption often takes the form of sensational headlines, viral posts, and a lot of other things that people get to talk about. However, real work and efforts do not garner so much of attention, because they do not capture human attention. Yet these are the ones that will eventually disrupt, without us even realizing it. For example, Gmail has evolved to become the most used email service today. [php snippet=1] Google did not disrupt email space with Gmail. Instead, it offered something better, and continued to work on it for years and years. Even after more than a decade, Gmail remains the best option to use. It disrupted all other email services and continues to evolve. Yet, one does not call it disruption because Gmail did not arrive with a bang. There are hundreds of examples like this, where disruption takes place slowly over the years, and are not apparent until everything around has changed. Disruption can happen slowly over the years One can only remember how things used to be, and we still can’t believe things have all changed so much, so quickly. On the other hand, angel investors and start-ups which hope to lead the next big disruption often end up with sour experiences. This is because, they are trying to disrupt for the sake of disruption. Start-ups want to raise as much funding as possible, and that very race and obsession leads them to a downward spiral. If one really wants to disrupt an industry, one must usually work for years, and work really hard. Not everyone can be the next Uber, though there are of course exceptions. The reason why this needs to be said is, too many talented people often fall to the lure of angel investments and disruption. Instead, if they slowly and steadily work towards success, it shall certainly happen. Looking forward Certainly, disruption is required. However, start-ups should be encouraged to focus on real strengths and not focus on disruption for the sake of disruption. It also makes sense not to raise funds that are not required. It is in the interest of small companies and start-ups to focus on slow and steady growth and innovation, based on real R&D. And indeed, this slow and steady evolution is a more lasting form of disruption.

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Technophobia

What Is Technophobia and How to Overcome It?

October 14, 2016

If you have ever hesitated to use your child’s smartphone, or wondered how to operate a computer without someone giving you guidance, you may not be alone. A number of people find it difficult to deal with technology and gadgets inspire fear in them. Some people take this fear to an extreme and may be called ‘technophobics’ by psychologists. Technophobia is not an officially recognized mental illness but it is the extreme and irrational fear of technology. Usually, this fear is related to irrational fear of computers, robots, artificial intelligence, weapons and other such things which seem advanced in scientific thought. Many people fear genetically modified organisms too (GMO), though research shows that they are safe to consume. In other words, fear of science and technology is a very real problem in our societies and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that one can find a technophobic around every street corner. Fear or just aversion to technology? Yet, in this article, we are going to discuss technophobia as a general term, not as the extreme avoidance of computers as people understand it. So, for the scope of this article, technophobia is hesitation or aversion towards new technologies, especially cloud technology, mobile applications, the use of Internet and of coding. This is a huge problem today because a number of businesses are still using computers that run on Windows XP, and refuse to bring in any sort of technological advancement to their companies. This has resulted in loss of growth, stagnation of economy and a general sense of lethargy that is simply not required. [php snippet=1] Most of these companies which refuse to adopt new technologies often have CEOs that are resistant to changes, directors who are technophobic in its real term and people who just do not want to see any kind of changes made at all. All these categories of people have hampered the growth of their own companies and of society in general. In this article, let us understand what technophobia is, and how we can overcome it, so that newer technologies can be adopted without fearing them. Of course, this is not going to happen all of a sudden, and will take time, but the effort put in is certainly worth it. Self help Self help does not get the credit it usually deserves. While books like The Secret and others are panned by certain people, there are a lot of self help techniques that can actually work. You will need to find out what is best for you. If you believe your aversion towards technology is irrational and that it must be paid attention to, you have already reached a certain level of insight. This insight can further be developed into making positive changes in life that will help to introduce technology slowly but surely. For example: Sam was fearful of smartphones. He initially purchased a basic cellphone model, and graduated to using a smartphone. He did not give his number to everyone and instead, only allowed his daughter to call him. Slowly, he started to converse with his friends on the phone and in the end, he encouraged himself to check emails, call the customer, etc. Counseling If self help techniques do not help, counseling can be the next step. Counselors do not train mental health issues nor are they trained to do that. They only help you to gain clarity about your situation and advise what could be the best thing to do. Counselors may assess your situation and tell you why you are avoiding technology though it is obviously harming you. They may teach you certain techniques and listen to you patiently when you discuss your fears. Most people may ridicule your technophobia but a counselor will validate your fears and emotions. That alone is enough to help you start making positive changes in your life. For Example: Nicole always avoided her computer and was not able to use Skype to make video calls to her son. She sought the help of a counselor who pointed out that if she avoids her fear, she will never overcome it. Nicole slowly started to make video calls to not only her son, but also to her colleagues. Support groups When just counseling will not help, you may seek the help of support groups. Support groups are great for people who wish to share their stories with others. They can also learn from others how they are dealing with a particular issue. By choosing support groups, one can understand what others are doing to overcome technophobia and imbibe the same techniques back when they are facing issues. Most importantly, support groups help people to realize that they are not alone. The very fact that there are other people who too face technophobia can be an epiphany of sorts. Example: Jason could not bear to set up an ERP at his factory. This caused many lost opportunities and significant losses. At a support group, he met another business owner who told him that he was seeking extra support for an ERP so that he doesn’t have to deal with the software himself. Jason was back in his factory and implemented an ERP. Cognitive behavior therapy When simple counseling or support groups do not have any effect, one may need professional help from a psychologist. Psychologists often use cognitive behavior therapy to change the thought pattern that might be enabling the fear. They also gradually introduce the client to the feared stimulus (in this case, some technology), and help them to reduce anxiety, fear and stress during those situations. For example: Christine disliked using projectors because she felt something would go wrong, though she could not pin point what this eventual disaster would be. Her psychologist slowly helped her to use the projector without feeling anxious or fearful. Christine got better at using projectors and started to make great presentations. Psychodynamic therapy Sometimes, psychologists aim to treat the underlying cause, which usually is a traumatic incident

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Understanding the Advent of Affective Computing

October 10, 2016

As we all know, artificial intelligence is changing the world as we know it. With AI comes affective computing, a closely related concept. Affective computing refers to computing that is related to emotions. Emotions are very important in making decisions, and they influence a wide array of cognitive functions such as thinking, perception, memory, learning, etc. Affective computing helps in communicating or processing emotional states with others, or with a computer. With a growing focus on emotion recognition software, there are research developments in a wide range of academic fields, including neurology, psychology, software development, ethics, sociology, etc. Many tools can already recognize human emotions, and these are being used to help people with disabilities such as autism. However, emotion recognition does not stop there. It is expected to convulse computing and take it by storm. Affective computing currently focuses on facial expression databases, emotion classification, facial action coding system and changes in the skin as well. For example, it is well known that human beings’ skin becomes hot when certain emotions are experienced. This will be picked up by sensors on wearable technology, only to be processed by an app or a computer. There are a number of applications for affective computing. [php snippet=1] Where is affective computing applied? Affective computing is expected to change the way e-learning takes place. Whenever a learner is bored or frustrated, the program makes changes to the style of presentation or the content. It just needs not be about boredom. As a wide array of emotions can be recognized, e-learning programs can be made customized for students. Psychological services can make use of affective computing, especially when counseling is offered online. Another important area of application is robotics. While affective computing recognizes emotions, it goes way beyond that. Artificial intelligence can one day be taught to experience emotions, leading to sentience among robots. Already, companion devices such as digital pets make use of these emotions. A few other applications include marketing and sales, where executives can drop campaigns or sales pitches when they understand that the person on the other side of the computer or phone is not receptive to the message. The converse holds true too. It is one day possible for computers to feel emotions too, and that day may not be very far away. What the future holds? Affective computing holds a lot of promise for the future. With emotion recognition research developing at a rapid rate, computers will be able to recognize, process and even ‘have’ emotions themselves one day. It remains to be seen where affective computing will be applied. Most likely, it will change the way we conduct e-learning programs, psychological therapy, marketing and sales, robotics and a few other areas of technology. Certainly, there shall be more research and news coming from this area. For those of us in technology and marketing, emotion recognition and affective computing hold a lot of promise. This is one area to watch and observe, for things are going to change rather quickly.

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Ensuring App Security: An Opportunity and Challenge

October 3, 2016

The number of people who use mobile phones has dramatically increased, and unsurprisingly, enterprise mobility has grown in size and stature. With enterprise mobility becoming the next big technological spend, mobile security remains one of the thorny issues for most clients and vendors. Mobile app security, which is even less discussed, has been described by some pundits as ‘Wild West’. To look at some facts that are disturbing, almost all apps available on Google Play for the Android platform were hacked at least once. 56% Apple’s iOS apps were hacked. The proportion of free apps that were hacked was marginally lower. This just means, apps are not as secure as most people believe them to be, especially if they have not been developed by reputed technology companies. With BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) being the policy in place, app security is a very important issue that needs to be taken seriously. Let us take a look at some of the things that can be done to keep data and devices safe, especially when an app is compromised. In the best case scenario, the app should be impenetrable but one must always be extra cautious. [php snippet=1] How to ensure app security? The first step should be to secure the app’s code. Mobile malware usually look for vulnerabilities within an app to gain access. A recent report revealed that more than 11.6% mobile devices are infected by malware at any given point. However, there are many tools that can help developers to detect vulnerabilities and seal security loopholes. While business apps pose less of a problem, consumer apps may have more vulnerabilities. The next step would be to secure the devices. You need to bring in policies that will ensure that jailbroken devices are not used at work. Thirdly, data needs to be secured. moving all data to the cloud is actually a good idea, with mobility becoming the new reality.It helps to keep data safe on a third party server where it might be encrypted. Remote wipe facilities can ensure that data is erased before a device gets into wrong hands. Last but not the least, security needs to be ensured while people make purchases on apps. Apps provide a very convenient platform for e-commerce but they also pose security threats. All these can be overcome when developers take the necessary actions. Threats present developers with an opportunity The more enterprises move towards mobility, the more they will have to start thinking about app security. Applications are not always secure and they can pose a mighty challenge to developers to keep them safe from malicious threats. This is also an opportunity for coders to come together and bring solutions that do not have loopholes. While it is indeed a wild world out there, it presents developers with an opportunity to push limits to make applications secure. Mobile and cloud security is already very impressive, if we are talking about premium services. Yet, it is necessary to use these threats as opportunities to make things safer for users.

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How Desktop and Mobile Are Converging, Thanks to Windows 10

September 26, 2016

When Windows 10 was launched last year, it did not attract a lot of attention. Most people did not like the interface and people were unsure how the updates would be released. However, the new operating system comes loaded with features that take computing to a different level. More specifically, they bring mobility and desktop experience together. This is very crucial in a world such as today’s because most people access the internet on their mobile devices. Bringing uniform experience to all devices With a nearly identical code for all Microsoft devices, universal apps run on desktops, smartphones, tablets and even on other Microsoft products such as Surface Hub and the Xbox. Windows 10 has been described by Microsoft as an operating system as a service, where extra features may be delivered at an extra cost, and giving free updates to basic users. The ultimate goal of Microsoft is to ensure that Windows 10 is installed on at least one billion devices eventually. Whether it is likely to happen or not is different. We need to remember that Windows-run mobile phones are not popular and they may never reach mainstream acceptance. However, we need to understand what Windows 10 is really doing in a larger capacity. It is bringing mobility and desktop computing together, and that is something that even Apple is working on. [php snippet=1] Using cloud to bring better synchronization between mobile and PC Those of you who use Macs might know that iCloud syncs all the data to your iPhones and iPads simultaneously, as you type. Microsoft takes this experience a step ahead. All the app data and other preferences will easily be available on all the devices you are signed on to. This brings synchronization of data to the next step. We can clearly see where we are headed to. Regardless of the device we use, all our data will run on clouds, helping us to switch devices anytime, without losing content or making several copies of the same file. This is very crucial when it comes to business computing and mobility. All data needs to be available on all authorized devices at the same time. Talking about business mobility, Windows 10 also has taken extra care to ensure security and safeguard privacy. Encryption has been used extensively to provide the kind of safety that an enterprise grade operating system needs to provide. All this leads to a new direction of Microsoft and for computing in general. Bringing mobile and desktop experiences with the help of cloud computing has been central to this game plan. Microsoft gets it right Certainly, Windows 10 will remain a dominant force in the world of computing. Its importance has decreased because of mobile devices, and a gradual move towards other operating systems. However, the fact that Microsoft has understood what is really important, in this case, mobility, is a heartening sign, and should be looked at as a positive development. Though Windows mobile phones are not popular, this certainly is a step in the right direction.

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MakeYourTax: A Web-Based Tax Filing Solution for CAs and Enterprises

July 27, 2016

The new financial year has already begun and most of us have finished filing for returns in the nick of time. In fact, studies reveal that for accountants and CAs, the weeks preceding tax filings are some of the most stressful, leading to reduced performance and quality of life. People get stressed out on tax issues simply because numbers are scary, and filing tax returns involves a lot of number crunching. A simple mistake can cost a CA his client. While chartered accountants are trained to do this, even they find it difficult to handle different clients and may inadvertently make errors. Existing tax software programs require you to install them physically on a computer, making your system slow and inefficient. Also, you may not be able to rectify or correct issues on a different computer or from a different location, requiring you to file your returns on the computer where the tool is installed. All this leads to a reduction in efficiency and a gradual loss of man hours which could be used for something else. The solution to all these problems is MakeYourTax, a unique income tax returns filing web-based application, a joint venture of Indus Net Technologies and Taxmantra. How does MakeYourTax help CAs and enterprises? MakeYourTax is a cloud and web-based app that requires no installation and is available 24×7. It is easy to use and all you need to do is log in once to start filing your returns instantly. This is the perfect tool for those who are working from multiple office set-ups. MakeYourTax supports all ITRs and you can directly upload XML files, negate the requirement for entering data manually. This web-based application is perfect for chartered accountants (CAs), accountants and enterprises. The tool is specifically useful for chartered accountants, who often go through a reduction in efficiency because of older legacy taxation tools. This cloud-based filing system helps CAs to delegate work to junior interns, and it makes filing ITR and e-TDS of different clients a breeze. If you are a CA, you will no longer have to struggle through manual installations, performance audits and regular updates of your software. All this happens in the cloud, without you ever having to do anything. In other words, chartered accountants can finally leverage the power of cloud computing. If you are a chartered accountant and were wondering how MakeYourTax will help you, this section will help you to understand its main features. A taxation solution with full features The app covers ITR 1, 4S, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5 and 6. You can easily make revisions and rectifications. In other words, MakeYourTax is a full-suit taxation app that solves all your problems as a CA, and you can simply focus on growing your business and nurturing your clients, instead of worrying about technicalities and software issues. Cloud-based solution MakeYourTax is a cloud-based app that does not require any installations or upgrades. This means the app is always up-to-date, ready to serve you, help your crunch numbers and make your work a lot easier than you might ever imagine. It is incredibly fast and can scale up during demand seasons such as the weeks before tax-filing deadlines. If your interns are not able to come to your office, they can simply work from home. This allows you to hire more interns and employees, especially if you do not have a large office. Helps you collaborate As MakeYourTax is a cloud-based app, you can easily collaborate with your team and also your clients across the world. The application provides simultaneous access, which makes coordinating and collaborating very easy. With a single license, you gain access to a multi-user, multi-location platform that easily solves all your tax-related problems. Easy to use As a CA or an accountant, you might worry about how difficult this software might be to use. The app has been designed with non-IT professionals in mind and is thus very intuitive and easy to use. In fact, even junior interns can use the application easily. If you need support, our trained tax professionals will help you and clear your doubts. Data protection and security When it comes to sensitive data such as tax-related numbers, data security is of utmost importance. MakeYourTax has been designed with protection and security of data being high on the priority list. All data is kept private and the app features 256-bit SSL encryption. With encrypted back-ups being the norm, you never have to worry about your stored data falling into wrong hands or it getting lost. With guaranteed data backups and security, you can heave a sigh of relief and focus on your work. Future updates and features In the future, MakeYourTax is going to receive even more features as it is updated regularly and automatically over the cloud. Some of the features that will be available soon are TDS returns preparation and filing, service tax returns preparation and filing, and VAT returns preparation and filing. Moreover, we have a list of other useful features that we plan to introduce soon. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of taxation, our team consists of veterans who know what it takes to crunch numbers efficiently. Our team has filed more than 300,000 tax returns for their clients and managed more than 8000 businesses. The team’s technical expertise is sound too, with more than 18 years in the technology sector. MakeYourTax.com costs INR 9850/- per year for unlimited usage, multiple users, and multiple offices, for one firm. We also offer a white label tax filing portal which will help you acquire new clients, but this comes at an additional cost. All along, no matter what questions or doubts you have, our experienced team will be happy to assist you. If you would like to understand more about the application and how it can specifically help you, please feel free to contact one of our representatives and they will be glad to help you.

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