Strategic Social Networking - Archive

The Influence of Small Business on App Development

February 9th, 2012 | Posted by admin in business process | mobility | News | security - (0 Comments)

It is difficult to deny the effect the proliferation of mobile technological advancements, especially in the rapidly expanding field of application development, are having on the commercial sector. As the slow economic recovery continues, businesses of all makes and models search for innovative and immediate methods to remain viable. In spite of the downturn, app development houses continue to enjoy successes and are increasingly turning their attention to existing and emerging small and medium sized businesses, or SMBs. Seizing upon the popularity of both mobile devices and social media, these companies are taking chances which could arguably strengthen the core of a flagging commercial infrastructure. This trend is lightly investigated in a recent post on ZDNet.com titled, “Mobility is Central to Hottest Small-business Technology Trends.”

Social media and cloud computing in particular have changed the way commercial entities of all sizes interact with customers. From publishing firms to local bakeries, the virtues of innumerable products are marketed and judged in real time. SMBs looking to employ the newest tech trends are poised to reap the most tangible benefits from the explosion of applications allowing customers to engage with companies, their products and each other.

The post poses a few questions as well as potential answers that the author feels reflect the reasoning behind this shift in attention, notably:

“A primary benefit of cloud-delivered software applications or services? Their ability to secure information and data centrally, while enabling SMBs to free up their employees to work from remote and branch locations while allowing collaboration within teams.”

The coming years will no doubt see the abandonment of certain trends and the embracing of others. Technology it seems remains poised to be the most exciting and profitable piece of tomorrow’s commercial puzzle.

Micheal Cory February 9, 2012

Grocery Stores Using Pushpins to Create Apps

February 8th, 2012 | Posted by admin in app | business process | mobility | News - (0 Comments)

It appears that grocery store chains are attempting to create their own iPhone device apps, and Pushpins, a company in the app building business exclusively, is vying for this business. This discussion, plus its pros and cons are discussed in great length in an article – Pushpins Founder Explains Why Grocery Stores Should Avoid Building Their Own Apps.

The article also features a question and answer platform between Appolicious, a mobile device app directory, and Pushpins CEO Jason Gurwin – Gurwin has this to say:

“Would you continue to stock a product if no-one purchased it? I use the same example with mobile apps. Everyone feels the need to have apps, but they build something no one wants. If you are a large chain, you will without a doubt get downloads, but they are vanity metrics. Before you invest in building one yourself, ask are your shoppers really going to USE your app?

Most retailers have decided to invest in “cookie cutter” apps that quickly give them a mobile presence. They include a basic shopping list, information about nearby stores, and a way to view the store circular.”

Pushpins argues some strong points in their favor and feels that retailers should stick to the task at hand and leave the app building to the experts. In fact, Pushpins offers a much broader product that will benefit both the grocery store chain and the consumer. Also, today’s busy consumers will embrace a more in-depth product that saves time and money, more readily.

Sandy McIntosh, February 08, 2012

Airline Passengers Getting Mobile Technology

Mobile device technology is fast and furious implementing check-in capabilities for air travel. According to an article, Airlines Move Closer to NFC Tech for Passengers – this new technology will enable passengers to create their own boarding passes, and open boarding gates and secure lounges, via their mobile devices.

Jim Peters, a SITA (Specialists in air transport communications and IT solutions) chief technology officer, said:

“Mobile NFC is still a maturing technology with multiple implementation models. We chose to implement a solution that takes full advantage of the secure element on the SIM card and over-the-air deployment from a trusted service manager (TSM) to the device.”

The airlines are spending lots of money to get this technology right, so it is definitely a sure thing we can look forward to. Passengers will soon be enjoying shorter waiting times that will enhance their traveling enjoyment! And, anything that will shorten our time at the airport will be a welcome perk for not just the weekly business travelers, but also the occasional vacationers as well.

Sandy McIntosh, February 07, 2012

Constant Contact gets loyal

January 31st, 2012 | Posted by admin in business process | marketing | mobility | smartphone - (0 Comments)

Constant Contact ® Inc. a marketing advisor to a half million small businesses worldwide has acquired CardStar Inc. a privately held software company that develops mobile applications that perpetuate the use of loyalty cards on smartphones, enabling merchants to tailor mobile deals and information to their customers. Details of the acquisition are explained in an article – Constant Contact Acquires CardStar, Inc.; Adds Mobile Loyalty Technology to its Suite of Online Marketing Tools to Help Small Businesses Grow

Gail Goodman, CEO of Constant Contact states:

“For small businesses, it’s all about finding and connecting with their next customer, whether that customer is returning or brand new,” said Goodman. “Today’s consumers don’t just want — but expect — to access information and make decisions on the go, and they want to be rewarded for their support and loyalty. The CardStar mobile loyalty application lives at the intersection of these needs, letting consumers engage with businesses on the go and providing businesses with expanded opportunities for the kind of customer engagement that drives business results.”

How cool is this – hearing about discounts and rewards from your favorite shop while on the go? I know when I hear a beep, my curiosity gets the best of me, and I just have to check it out. Most people are loyal to specific stores and getting this information instantly will most certainly enhance sales.

Sandy McIntosh

January 31, 2012

Next Year’s Mobile Marketing Trends

December 29th, 2011 | Posted by admin in business process | marketing | mobility | smartphone - (0 Comments)

Pointing out that 2011 was a huge year of growth for mobile technology, Jichel Stewart of Business2Community takes on the upcoming year’s mobile trends in her recent article 8 Mobiles Marketing Trends You Should Track in 2012.

Stewart’s piece focuses on mobile marketing – marketing to those already out and about, rather than those sitting at home in front of their computer:

“What is unique about mobile marketing is a company’s ability to reach consumers when they are closest to buying. Ask yourself…Are your customers more likely to leave their homes and their pantry in a storm to get a sub sandwich… or when they’ve been out running errands all day, missed lunch, and you send them a text with an offer for a half-price submarine sandwich — half a mile from you, the nearest sub shop?”

Indeed, the use of mobile websites grew 210% over the course of 2011, with 37% of retailers now using these types of sites. These trends can be linked to the increase in both smartphone usage (growing 14.5% from 2008 to 2009) and mobile advertising, which grew from $1.6 billion in 2010 to $3.3 billion in 2011, with figures for 2012 looking to be double that amount.

However, for all Stewart’s predictions, she does seem to overlook one area: the rise of tablet computing. Opting instead to focus on smartphones, one can’t help but notice the omission of one of the most important technological successes of 2011.

Jody Barnes, December 29, 2011

Cloud Computing and the Future of the Mobile Market

December 28th, 2011 | Posted by admin in business process | cloud computing | mobility | smartphone - (0 Comments)

Leo King at PCWorld writes about the impact of “app internet” on the future of the tech industry. In his article “App Internet and Mobile Devices to Drive Massive Technology Demands in 2012”, King discusses the “death of the web” and the rise in mobile apps and cloud computing.

“Gartner said that “low cost cloud services” would begin a fast growth, forming “up to 15 per cent of top outsourcing players’ revenue” within three years. These industrialised services would “alter the common perceptions of pricing and value of IT”, it said.”

In 2012, market intelligence firm IDC says, cloud computing services will reach up to $36 billion, with 80% of new apps on the market being geared towards the cloud. This means that increased focus will be on media tablets and other mobile devices, with Amazon’s Kindle Fire leading the way, and companies such as Microsoft, HP, and RIM looking to make their mark in an increasingly competitive market.

The eventual winner still remains to be seen, but the growth of mobile computing technology shows no signs of stopping, for both businesses and personal users. At this point, tech companies either need to jump into the market, or fear being left behind.

Jody Barnes, December 28, 2011

Kroll Annual Forecast Predicts Trouble

December 27th, 2011 | Posted by admin in business process | mobility | Privacy | security - (0 Comments)

It seems mobile security is getting worse before it gets better. Business Insurance’s, “Mobile Technology Changes Making Cyber Security More Difficult: Kroll” reports on the results of Kroll Inc.’s annual security forecast. The upshot: businesses and organizations are having trouble keeping up. The article specifies:

“Discussing mobile technology security threats, Kroll said mobile technologies ‘are changing so rapidly that in some organizations the demand and pressure to deploy new technologies (e.g. tablet computers) will outstrip the organization’s existing capabilities to secure them. This unfortunate dynamic is no secret to thieves who are ready and waiting with highly targeted malware and attacks employing mobile applications.’”

Writer Judy Greenwald notes some other important points from the forecast. For example, corporate use of social media will bring small businesses under increased cyber-attack, and the growth of cloud services will bring its own risks. Also, cooperation between business and government will be crucial; other countries are expected to be more nimble than the US in their response. Furthermore, the forecast predicts that privacy concerns about geolocation tech will become more of an issue. Yes, I imagine so.

It’s true that mobile security is a big concern. Keep your social networking safe.

Cynthia Murrell, December 27, 2011