November 20, 2017
According to Gartner, more than half of major new business processes and systems will incorporate an IoT element by 2020, which helps explain why the current job boom is happening in IoT (Internet of Things). Unfortunately, even with the booming job market, it appears that there aren’t enough skills to go around; the Inmarsat Research Program reported earlier this year that 47% of companies don’t have necessary IoT skills to realize true business transformation. Fortunately for you, looks can be deceiving. In the area of IoT hires, the true problem isn’t that there aren’t enough skills to go around, it’s that companies often hire inefficiently because they don’t realize that IoT takes an entire team with a range of skillsets. Gartner also reports that three-quarters of IoT projects will drag out twice as long as they should – but that means that, with the right team, your company can become the one-quarter that easily pulls ahead of the competition. All you need to do is hire smart. Here are the most necessary skills for IoT in 2018. Data Security One of the issues of leveraging IoT is that the devices don’t tend to be tremendously secure. Last year’s DDoS (distributed denial of service) attack that shut down some of the Internet’s most popular sites including Amazon, Twitter, and Netflix was an unfortunate side effect of lax security policies for IoT devices. It’s a given that you don’t want hackers to control the functionality of any IoT devices you’ve created, including […]
October 19, 2017
Ready to explore customized eCommerce for your business? We hear you. Companies of all sizes, in all industries, have recently been feeling the pinch from Amazon’s tight margins, irritating fees, lengthy payment terms and ever-changing data and shipping requirements – not to mention their cookie-cutter format. It’s time to cut out the middleman and create a customized eCommerce store that delivers the exact customer experience you want for your B2B or B2C customers, which means you need to… Wait, what exactly do you need to do? Get some help figuring out the plan to set up your own secure, effective and attractive web store for your large and complex B2B or B2C business. Choosing the Right Architecture Though it’s an interactive portal that brings customers and products together through the Internet, your eCommerce store is, at heart, a technological masterpiece. If you haven’t thought much about the sheer programming magic that underpins your online storefront, now’s the time to start thinking. First off, when planning your online store, you’ll need to find professionals who have experience designing a multi-tier architecture framework for web stores. If the terminology leaves you scratching your head, this may help: Multi-tier architecture is comprised of three layers: The data tier The business tier The presentation tier In short, the data tier houses your raw data, keeping safe the information about how many green widgets you have, what your company is called, your various tax rates, etc. Skipping forward, the presentation tier looks pretty – it’s what […]
October 12, 2017
Many companies wonder whether offshoring technological development would be a smart choice for them. Though we’re partial to outsourcing in all its forms here at ISG, we understand that your business has unique needs that can’t be addressed with a one-size-fits-all answer. What you need is accurate, complete and honest information that helps you feel confident making an offshoring decision that meets your exact needs, right now and in the future. If you’ve had questions about offshoring, you’ll appreciate these clear answers. A Brief Intro to Offshoring for Tech Development In our post-industrial society, savvy organizations need to treat their digital product development the same way they treat their physical product development; they need to make everything in the most efficient and productive manner possible. But why do we need to create digital products in the first place? The answer to that lies right in front of you. Literally. Yup, we’re talking about the phone screen you’re reading this article on. If you’re scoffing at us because you’re reading this article on a computer screen, just glance to the right of your computer a few inches so you can see your smartphone. After all, it’s right there next to you on the desk. Today’s Consumers Are Linked to Their Phones The fact that your smartphone is within your reach right now proves that the statistics are right, and that technological development is the wave of the future. According to Deloitte, Millennials spend too much time on their phones. They stare […]
September 29, 2017
According to an article from The Wall Street Journal, it takes six months to a year for a new hire to get up to speed in their new job, and hiring the wrong person can “wreck a tight budget.” Since employees are your company’s biggest asset—and biggest expense—it benefits you to take the time you need to find the perfect candidate. However… With the quicksilver pace of modern business, you may fall behind if you wait too long to develop your new app, create the hottest and most useful technological integration or otherwise capture the lion’s share of today’s tech-driven consumers. If you’re taking the time to hire right, how can you stay ahead of your competition? How Top Leaders Achieve Agile Innovation – At Their Pace Savvy business leaders stay on the cutting edge by finding creative solutions to their toughest problems. If you need a new app or IoT (Internet of Things) integration, you can follow the experts’ path: • Decide what you want your innovation to do • Outsource the work to specialist temps • Get the work done in record time Typically, there are three ways you can accomplish this. By following these methods in order, you’ll have mastered the secret to lightning-fast business innovation. 1. Hire a Consultant There’s nothing new about calling in consultants to solve thorny problems, but business leaders often overlook the many skilled technology consultants who are available to work on a short-term basis to meet specific goals. Whether you need […]
September 8, 2017
In the wake of recent economic troubles, China has focused on turning their country into the leader for tech industries such as electric cars, robotics, and microchips with the Made in China 2025 initiative. This announcement will likely encourage U.S. companies to reconsider offshoring, but as you plan, remember to keep your long-term strategies and company objectives at the forefront of your discussions. Your Top Consideration Should Always Be ROI Tech decisions in a company usually fall under the responsibility of the CFO because every tech decision these days is also a strategic decision. Or, at least, it should be. Companies focused on growth consider all investments in terms of how they benefit the long-term strategic goals of each part of the organization, from the reception desk to the boardroom and beyond. As you make your decision on whether to offshore important tech development or keep the work at home, make sure to focus on your outcomes instead of your outputs and remember to weigh the hard-to-calculate nuances you’ll find in each consideration below. Agile Development Reduced contact with your development facilities combined with lengthier offshoring timelines can decrease your ability to deliver the right tech product at the right time. In technology especially, market disruption happens every day. The longer you wait before releasing your solution, the higher the likelihood is that someone else will have released a similar product before you. Communication Your company understands what you’re looking for in your technology development, but no […]