As small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) incorporate complex IT systems into their infrastructure, they need to invest in a scalable database to act as a robust repository for their business-critical data. Many businesses still use spreadsheets to run some company processes, but as the enterprise grows, outdated methods no longer cut the mustard.
There are a number of reasons you might need a new database. Many software vendors require a database back-end for their business, for example. Or you may want to update or expand on a database you already use to support your website or accounting processes.
When subscribing to a cloud service, there are several key aspects to take into account to minimise disruption in case the service goes down.
The first one is to identify which of your software applications are most critical to your business. Look at the top three, five, or even 10 applications, and keep asking yourself: “What would we do if it stopped working?” until you arrive at a satisfactory answer. In some cases, the answer may be that the application is just too critical to be moved into the cloud and you would be better off sticking with an in-house system.
If we’ve learned anything in from the recent GFC it has to be that our customers are not simply looking for discounts as an incentive to continue spending. While it was great for the last few years there’s now a sense that the industry has played that card and it’s now become an expectation not the exception.
So is retail dead? This humble blogger thinks not.
In an age where there is more choice then ever and less clarity between form and function, how does one stand out from the crowd. This means that with plenty on offer only a few retailers seem to be penetrating through the noise.
One emerging technology that may assist in achieving that point of differentiation through generating interest and intrigue is the QR Code. In short a QR Code or Quick Response Code is a two-dimensional code designed to hold multiple pieces of data such as text or a URL. Companies for example can use a QR to provide contact details or a gateway to enter a competition.
