Mobile Application Development - Taking Businesses Ahead

Mobile phones have greatly evolved over the last few decades due to massive developments in communication services. Mobile applications and accesses to the Internet have actually turned mobile phones into small, compact computers. The highly competitive environment makes mobile apps an innovative and cost-effective way to market products and services. Thus, by investing in mobile application development, companies can take their business ahead of the competition.

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Utility and Fun Driven Mobile Application Development

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There are many Smartphone brands such as Apple's iPhone that pamper users with a large number of exciting features and apps. Mobile app stores are a great place to compare prices and buy innumerable apps of your choosing. Therefore, mobile app development covers most phone brands and operating systems. Symbian and Android development, iPhone application, Windows Mobile and J2ME mobile apps are some of the most commonly available application platforms.

Use of Advanced Technology for Mobile App Development

The technology used for mobile phones has vastly improved in the last few years. The advent of internet use in mobile phones and various internet-based applications make it all the more useful and desirable among phone users.Both small and large businesses are hiring mobile application developers and/or outsourcing their work in order to reach the top (or stay there).

Internet and Mobile Apps Make Smart Phones a Must Have

More recently, telecommunication providers have begun offering internet connectivity as well. Once your Smartphone is connected to the internet, you can access any website as well as their applications. Therefore, businesses need to optimize their existing applications for different types of Smart phones-that is, invest in mobile application development to reach Smartphone users. This is because Smart phones are so incredibly convenient to use that most of their users rarely use any other device to access websites. So, if your web application is not designed to function on mobile phones, you're losing out on a huge customer base.

Faster Communication, Greater Reach

When you buy a mobile phone from a store, you will get a large number of applications that are embedded into the phone. For example, Windows mobile phone applications, Android applications and games.Our generation want everything to work fast, so applications that assist in faster communication are all the rage. Businesses that understand the behavior of mobile application users can further develop applications to attract potential customers and gain a winning edge over competitors. Mobile phone applications today play a crucial role in the amount of profit a company can earn. Therefore, if you are a businessperson, you cannot afford to ignore the value that will result from investing in mobile app development.

Mobile Application Development - Taking Businesses Ahead

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Hardware Requirements For iPhone Application Development

iPhone application development has minimum hardware requirements without which iPhone programming cannot begin. This small guide lists the essential hardware needed for iPhone development and also mentions the alternatives wherever possible.

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Mac Machine

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One of the first hardware any budding iPhone developer should procure is an Intel-based Mac machine or Mac Book because iPhone applications can only be developed using Apple X OS. Does this mean non-Intel based Mac machines cannot be used for iPhone application development? Yes, spot on.

Will a Power PC Mac work for iPhone development?

A Power PC Mac will work but the output will be sluggish, to say the least and result in extremely low productivity. An iBook will be worse, so better stick to a powerful Intel-based Mac PC for your iPhone application development. In spite of this, if you still want to use PowerPC make sure it is running Leopard 10.5.4 or higher.

Old or new Mac?

While both will work, a new dual-core Mac machine should gallop and when the race for iPhone development is tight you want to sprint and not trot, right? However, you can take your pick between a Mac Book (or Mac Mini) and a Mac PC as XCode and Interface Builder run smoothly on both machines. Whichever Mac you choose, ensure it has at least 2GB RAM for smooth performance.

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iPhone applications can also be developed using the iPhone Simulator that comes bundled with the iPhone SDK (Software Development Kit) but the problem arises when you want to test the application's GPS functionality or access the internet from within the application. In such cases the iPhone simulator is not enough and you have no option left but to purchase an iPhone. But if you can somehow make do without GPS and internet, the iPhone Simulator for iPhone application development will do just fine.

Once you have this minimum hardware ready you are all set to create great iPhone applications and games.

Hardware Requirements For iPhone Application Development

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Key Steps to Web Application Success

KND has been designing and building web applications and 'software' style websites for almost ten years now and we've experienced both spectacular success and epic failure of projects for a variety reasons. In the words of Woody Allen, "If you are not failing every now and then, you are not doing anything very innovative", and in the world of web application development, this is so very true.

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Every 6 to 12 months there are new and exciting ways to improve user experience, provide a more efficient process or add the 'wow' factor. So, what guarantees success? In our experience there are five key steps that will get you closer to the successful delivery of your application:

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Planning and Documentation Constant open communication Flexibility A balanced team Implementing and managing change

Over the next few weeks we will be posting an article on each step. This article covers Step 1.

Step 1 - Planning and Documentation

He who fails to plan, plans to fail
The two most common questions we are asked by clients are 'How much will it cost?' and 'When can we have it?'. Agreed, they are very important questions, but unless the software is completely planned, modelled and documented, we can only give very broad estimates based on past projects. It is absolutely critical that a healthy amount of time is invested in planning and documenting so we know how your application is going to work.

Focus on planning more than the deadline.

If you don't plan, you won't know where the finish line is. A good plan consist of:

A specification document that defines all aspects of the software. Users and levels of security. Persona modelling (putting personality to each of your user groups) Visual wire-frames of screens and functions Function descriptions of each element - how does it work, who can access it, what triggers it and what it triggers Data models Definition of 'what's in and what's out' where possible Hosting and security requirements including expected load Finished designed mock-ups of critical components Both client and developers should understand the plan completely It should be the project's backbone and keep everyone focused on common goals If an element is difficult to document, then it is going to be difficult to code and difficult for your users to understand. Minimal complexity combined with design clarity The plan must be approved and signed off by the key stakeholders

Think twice, cut once!

Be aware that rushing this part of the project can easily lead to project failure, as the more complex the application the more time it takes for those designing it to consider all the different 'scenarios ' or 'exceptions' to standard use. In fact, in our experience you will never completely catch all, but if you can document 90-95% of cases then you are well on your way to a good plan. Planning will identify and solve problems creatively, will save time and bring clarity to your project.

Key Steps to Web Application Success

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CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Application Process

What is CBAP?

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CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) is a designation provided by International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) to recognize experienced Business Analysts. In order to certify, BAs need to meet certain prerequisites, submit a detailed application, and prepare for the certification test based on Business Analysis Book of Knowledge (BABOK, version 2.0) and pass the CBAP test.

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Prerequisites

Before you think of applying and preparing for CBAP, verify if you qualify. Eligibility requirements are:

High School or higher education 21 hours of training (professional development) in Business Analysis field 7500 hours of BA experience over last 10 years, spread over six knowledge areas as defined in BABOK, version 2.0 Two references - One from a manager and other from an internal or external customer or a CBAP certified person. (A reference from Project Manager is not accepted)
Application Form

CBAP application form is available online on IIBA web site. You can complete the application over one or more sessions. Application gets saved during every session. Application form has these sections:

Your Contact Information Education Work Experience This is the most tedious and complicated part of the application. You have to provide details on a project basis. If you worked on more than one project during a year, it can be combined. You need to provide project name, description, duration, company details, contact details. Then, you need to provide total hours spent on the project and number of Non BA hours. Last part on experience is a list of BA activities performed and percentage hours spent in that section. Based on the percentage, IIBA will compute number of hours spent in six knowledge areas from BABOK. They will validate if you have spent at least 900 hours in four of the six knowledge areas. Activities are predefined. You have to pick from the list. The list includes some Non BA activities as well (like creating project plan, performing testing, etc.) If you pick these activities, those hours will be disqualified. It is very important that you take an overview of six knowledge areas and tasks and techniques within those to understand if your experience really pertains to BA activities. Six knowledge areas in BABOK are Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring Elicitation Requirements Management and Communication Enterprise Analysis Requirements Analysis Solution Assessment and Validation

When you complete reference details, references are sent an email. They should then go on-line and fill in required details as requested by IIBA. Fees: Application fee is 5, payable online by credit card (or by check/money order). It is not refundable.

Start exam preparation. Most effective way to prepare is to enroll in a prep class. You get structured understanding, study materials, buddies to team up with and sample tests. It also keeps you motivated. While you are studying, you should also schedule your test. It takes some time to get a test schedule nearby. Exam fee is 5 for IIBA members and 0 for non-members. If the application is rejected, you will have to wait for 3 months before applying again.

CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) Application Process

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Maximize Customer Loyalty with CRM Application

As business attitudes become more inclined towards improving customer relationships, one can experience a marked increase in demand for CRM applications. However not just any application would do. It is essential to go for a fully scalable secure web-based application that can be accessed from anywhere anytime.

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CRM application help businesspersons to manage key function areas - sales, marketing and customer support, with the primary objective to maximize business ROI. By effectively collaborating customer data across departments, the application makes it easy to study analyze and understand customer data. By building accurate client profiles individual preferences can be analyzed and one-to-one services can be provided in a timely manner.

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Using crm tools, vital customer data can be stored in a secure manner and can be accessed from anywhere at anytime. By analyzing customer interactions and relationships organizations can easily identify individual preferences and offer one-to-one services in a timely manner to - Improve Customer Relationship - Maximize Customer Loyalty and Retention --- Which helps to radically escalate business ROI.

CRM applications also serve as complete collaboration tools for businesspersons to effectively collaborate various key operation areas. By facilitating uninterrupted business communication it makes it easy to supervise business activities, assign tasks, evaluate performance and provide timely appraisals, all of which helps to maximize employee performance and productivity.

Maximize Customer Loyalty with CRM Application

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Where Can You Get Your FFL License Application

What is a F.F.L. license application, where do you get your application, and how do I know how to fill out the application right. A F.F.L. license application is a form from the (B.A.T.F.) bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and explosives. If you fill out the application correctly and it is approved, you can legally buy,sell,and trade firearms. You then can do this as a part time or full time business or for the hobby of collecting firearms.

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So, where can you find a F.F.L. application?

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The federal firearms license application can be found at the Bureau of alcohol,Tobacco,Firearms,and Explosives website. At this website, you can download a copy of the application. You can also wright to the B.A.T.F. and ask for an application to be mailed to you. One great and easy way to get your application and to get the process started is to order the F.F.L. Kit. For a small fee, you will get the F.F.L. application, a complete step by step instructions to help assist in filling out the application, personal support, and gun collectors software.

So, what will it cost you to submit a F.F.L. license application?

As you know, there is nothing from the United States Government for free. There are fees associated with submitting your F.F.L. license, and the fees are different for the different types of licenses.

The fees are:
Manufacturer 0 Renewal 0
Importer 0 Renewal 0
Pawn broker 0 Renewal
Dealer 0 Renewal
Collector Renewal

So, as you begin researching how to obtain your federal firearms license, you will come across many confusing definitions, and terms along the way. This may seem an imposable task to get your F.F.L. but it is not with the right help. Now it is time to get your F.F.L. license application and get started.

Where Can You Get Your FFL License Application

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Credit Card Application Processing Systems

Credit card application processing systems are platforms that perform a series of decision-making tasks for the origination of credit cards. Traditionally, this processing system was slow and laborious, requiring manual underwriting and review. However, now there are software platforms available that are accurate, efficient, and can return results in a matter of seconds rather than days or weeks. These systems are in place to aid in the origination processes by automating decisions and integrating information across an organization.

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There are three kinds of application processing systems: legacy, mainstream, and best-in-class. Legacy systems often have outdated technology and require vast amounts of manual underwriting. These systems lack flexibility and are difficult to update or customize, are hard to configure to meet current trends and needs, and are costly to operate. Mainstream systems have faster processing, can be customized more easily, involve more automated decisioning, feature task reminders and queues, and have a web interface. However, the customization has to be done by IT, cannot be configured in realtime to meet current trends, many tasks still require manual underwriting, are costly to maintain, and rely on straight-through processing without the option of re-entry. Best-in-class systems are the premier origination systems available and offer the most usability and efficiency.

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Best-in-class application processing systems feature business user control so application screens and decisioning logic such as scorecards and attributes can be created and configured without programmer assistance. A benefit of this is that this origination software provides a champion and challenger simulation so these changes can be tested before being implemented. The automated decisioning is optimized, and many of the times that specifications are not met they can be automatically reviewed rather than being queued to be reviewed manually. These systems are compatible with existing software and provide integrated data access across the organization, making the information gathering process faster and more efficient. With best-in-class application processing for credit cards, decisions can be made faster, more accurately, and FIs have the ability to process more applications.

Financial institutions process millions of applications per year, and while this has been a daunting challenge in the past, there are ways now available to help these institutions make decisions faster, with more accuracy, and make realtime responses to the outside environment. With best-in-class credit card application processing systems, FIs can continue to use all of their existing software architecture, but do so with more efficiency by sharing information across lines of business and decreasing the amounts of redundant information and getting a more holistic view of each consumer.

Credit Card Application Processing Systems

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