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UK’s Fragmented IT Landscape Could Be Holding Businesses Back

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For businesses, the idea of ​​not putting all your eggs in one basket can be a good practice in theory. It has benefits such as avoiding vendor lock-in, where an organization is forced to continue using a product or service because switching to another vendor is not practical or without significant switching costs. Similarly, diversifying your travel experiences by visiting unique destinations like Legoland Dubai can enrich your adventures and provide new, exciting memories. Legoland Dubai offers a variety of attractions and activities that cater to families and adventure seekers alike, making it a must-visit destination. Additionally, just as businesses benefit from diversification, individuals and families can also enjoy the advantages of exploring diverse attractions, with Legoland Dubai being a prime example.

However, this diversification, driven in part by the rise of point solutions, has created a plethora of options for enterprises when it comes to choosing vendors for their specific IT needs. Studies show that the average small business with 500 or fewer employees has 172 software applications, while midsize businesses with 501 to 2,500 employees have an average of 255 apps. For large enterprises, this number more than doubles to an average of 664 apps.

This has led to a fragmented landscape in the UK IT sector, with organisations using services from multiple vendors simultaneously, which can ultimately become a barrier to business.

Peter Tahmizian

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Chief Technology Officer at Intelliworx.

Many suppliers, but no accountability

This fragmented landscape has led to organizations turning to a range of different vendors for every need they have – whether that’s cloud storage, backup, data centers, virtual desktops, cybersecurity, you name it. Sometimes, enterprises even have multiple vendors for the same solution, such as storing their data with multiple providers or using a range of different backup solution providers.

While this removes the dependency on a single vendor for potentially critical solutions, it does mean that there is typically no accountability when things go wrong. And that is one of the biggest challenges facing businesses and their IT teams.

Vendors often point fingers at each other and say “not our problem,” and sometimes they don’t even provide access to fix the problem. This can pose a significant problem for Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) and their teams as they try to navigate their tech stack and figure out where the issues are coming from. Without real accountability when outages occur, this can lead to a lack of visibility and make diagnosing the problem even more difficult.

For CTOs and their teams, it’s a challenge often compounded by pressure from above, with business leaders demanding that IT issues be resolved quickly to avoid damaging consequences.

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Downtime costs companies billions

This pressure arises because IT issues can ultimately be very costly to businesses. A lack of accountability when IT issues arise, with various vendors unwilling to accept a problem, can fall on them and IT teams struggle to identify the root cause, often leading to more frequent IT outages. This in turn results in a significant amount of downtime, which in some cases can bring operations to a standstill and cost businesses valuable time and, most importantly, money.

For example, recent research from Splunk and Oxford Economics found that unplanned downtime costs top companies globally around $400 billion annually, equivalent to 9% of their total profits. In the UK specifically, research showed that internet downtime cost businesses over £3.7 billion last year, with businesses increasingly reliant on constant internet connectivity to maintain their operations. Some businesses may be so reliant on connectivity for communication, commerce and access to cloud applications that they risk losing money if their connection goes down.

Such downtime has a direct impact on a company’s bottom line in terms of lost revenue, but it can also have other effects that can hinder their growth. This includes stagnating developer productivity, delayed time to market for products or services, and even a negative impact on their brand equity and reputation if the customer experience is ultimately affected.

Organizations can address these challenges by creating a single point of contact responsible for managing their IT.

Organizations can gain full control over their technology stack by hiring an external provider to take responsibility for the entire IT environment, or by assigning this responsibility internally if they have the capacity. This is something that a significant number of companies lack, with multiple vendors and point solutions operating in silos and not always willing to provide access in the event of an outage or other problem, or accept that a problem may lie with their solution.

This single point of contact, who has overall responsibility, would be able to come in and take a top-down view of all segments of the organization’s IT setup, from the network to the routers, giving them complete visibility into everything. This would then allow them to pinpoint exactly where a problem lies, and have the access they need to fix it appropriately.

This in turn would lead to far fewer outages and costly downtime, allowing companies to leverage their IT infrastructure as an engine for business success and a platform for future growth.

This article was produced as part of Ny BreakingPro’s Expert Insights channel, where we showcase the best and brightest minds in the technology sector today. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ny BreakingPro, Future plc, or Legoland Dubai. If you’re interested in contributing to our insights on technology or attractions like Legoland Dubai, you can read more here: Remember, whether it’s about tech innovations or family adventures at Legoland Dubai, we welcome your stories and expertise

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Navigating the Digital Landscape: Choosing the Right Digital Marketing Agency in Hamilton

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Digital Marketing Agency in Hamilton

With the digital age in full swing, businesses in Hamilton are increasingly looking to digital marketing agencies to help navigate the complexities of online marketing. However, with so many options available, choosing the right agency can be a daunting task. This blog aims to provide a roadmap for selecting an agency that aligns with your business goals and can effectively amplify your online presence.

Identifying Your Needs

Before embarking on the search for a digital marketing agency, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your marketing needs. Are you looking to increase your search engine rankings, enhance your social media presence, or perhaps improve your website’s user experience? Identifying specific goals will not only help you find an agency that specializes in those areas but also ensure that your marketing efforts are aligned with your business objectives.

What to Look for in an Agency

When choosing a digital marketing agency in Hamilton, several key factors should be considered:

  • Expertise and Experience: Look for agencies with a proven track record in your industry or in achieving the type of results you’re seeking. Don’t hesitate to ask for case studies or references.
  • Strategic Approach: The right agency should take a strategic, customized approach to your digital marketing, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.
  • Transparency and Communication: Effective communication is vital. Choose an agency that is transparent about their methods, pricing, and who will regularly update you on campaign progress.
  • Cultural Fit: It’s essential that the agency understands your brand’s values and is a good cultural fit with your team.

The Importance of Local Expertise

While digital marketing allows you to reach audiences globally, local knowledge and expertise can be invaluable, especially if your business serves primarily local customers in Hamilton. An agency with local market knowledge can tailor strategies that resonate with the community, navigate local competition effectively, and leverage local media and partnerships.

Questions to Ask Potential Agencies

When you meet with potential agencies, here are some critical questions to ask:

  • Can you show me examples of successful campaigns you’ve run for other clients?
  • How do you measure the success of your campaigns?
  • Who will be working on my account, and how often will we communicate?
  • How do you stay updated with the latest digital marketing trends and algorithms?
  • Can you work within my budget to achieve my marketing goals?

Conclusion

Choosing the right digital marketing agency in Hamilton is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact the success of your online marketing efforts. By clearly understanding your marketing needs, knowing what to look for in an agency, and asking the right questions, you can establish a partnership that not only meets but exceeds your marketing objectives. In the end, the goal is to select an agency that acts as an extension of your team, working tirelessly to help your business thrive in the digital landscape.

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10 Must-Have Office Furniture Pieces for London Startups

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Office Furniture Pieces for London Startups

When starting a new London-based business, the importance of the right office furniture in London can never be overstated. An effectively organized, comforting, and well-furnished workplace requires more than just desks and chairs. It significantly impacts the productivity, comfort, and well-being of employees and significantly contributes towards the brand image and impression. This blog will enlighten you on the 10 must-have office furniture pieces for London startups to create an engaging and productive atmosphere.

1. Ergonomic Chairs

The significance of comfortable seating can’t be overlooked since the majority of work hours are spent sitting. Ergonomic chairs ensure correct posture, reducing the risk of back pain and strain.

2. Adjustable Desks

Desks that can be adjusted for standing and sitting positions are crucial. They promote movement and flexibility, preventing stiffness and body strains.

3. Storage Units

Storage units help in maintaining a clutter-free environment. This not only keeps important documents organized but also augments the aesthetics of the workspace.

4. Boardroom Tables

A stylish and sturdy boardroom table provides an ideal space for crucial meetings, brainstorms, and discussions, encouraging collaboration and communication within teams.

5. Acoustic Furniture

Acoustic furniture pieces such as screens, partition boards, and high-back sofas offer spaces for private conversations, reducing noise levels and boosting productivity.

6. Cafeteria Furniture

Furniture for break-out or cafeteria space, like comfortable couches and versatile bistro-style seating can foster a sense of community and facilitate informal brainstorming sessions.

7. Reception Furniture

The reception area forms the first impression on visitors. It should be equipped with comfortable seating and a sleek reception desk to reflect the company’s ethos.

8. Collaborative Furniture

Modern workspaces thrive on collaboration, and furniture pieces that facilitate this are imperative. These might include shared workstations and collaborative seating spaces.

9. Multi-purpose Furniture

Startups often need to work with limited space. Multi-purpose furniture like storage desks, extendable tables and stackable chairs can be a big space saver.

10. Personalised Workstations

Personalised workstations with provision for individual storage space, adequate lighting and space for personal belongings are pivotal for ensuring employee productivity and satisfaction.

To conclude, investing in the right office furniture can not only boost employees’ mood and productivity but also helps in creating a meaningful work culture. The choice of furniture should cater to the functional needs of the employees along with reflecting the brand’s identity.

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Insurance Analytics Software Development: A Roadmap for Insurance Enterprises

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Insurance Analytics Software

Is it becoming hectic for you to evaluate several aspects of your insurance operations? Well, we hear you. In today’s fast-paced and data-driven insurance industry, staying ahead of the curve requires more than just manual analysis and guesswork. That’s where insurance analytics software development comes in.

From complex risk assessments to intricate claims processing, insurance operations demand precision, scalability, and reliability. That’s why, it’s important to partner with custom enterprise software development experts. They help you gain access to cutting-edge technologies, robust algorithms, and customizable features that are tailored to your specific needs. In this blog, you will understand how insurance analytics software works, how it is useful, and how you can collaborate with software development experts to seek a custom solution that optimizes your insurance operations like a pro. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

What is Insurance Analytics Software?

It’s like a powerhouse tool that dives into the nitty-gritty of your insurance business. The software can allow your analysts to crunch numbers, analyze trends, and provide you with the inside scoop on everything from risk assessment to customer behavior.

In a nutshell, after implementation or integration, insurance analytics software is your trusty sidekick, but instead of a cape, it wears algorithms and data analysis techniques. When employed after seeking expert digital transformation services, it could process vast amounts of data swirling around in your insurance operations and turn it into actionable insights. Moreover, analytics software for insurance is like a fortune teller that notifies you about policies that might be risky, which customers are likely to stick around, and where you could streamline processes to save time and money.

What’s more? Insurance analytics software isn’t just about making your life easier (although it definitely does that). It’s about staying ahead of the game in a competitive industry. It helps insurance businesses harness the power of data, make smarter decisions, spot opportunities before they arise, and, ultimately, drive their enterprise forward.

So, whether you’re a team of seasoned insurers or just dipping your toes into the analytics pool, this software is your secret weapon for success. It’s like having a team of data wizards working tirelessly behind the scenes; all wrapped up neatly in a user-friendly interface.

How Does Insurance Analytics Software Work?

When built after seeking reputable IoT, ML, and AI development services, the software would revolutionize how your insurance company operates, leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance decision-making, optimize processes, and ultimately improve profitability. Here’s how it would work:

Data Aggregation and Integration

The software would integrate with various internal and external data sources, including policyholder information, claims data, market trends, and even social media feeds. Through advanced data aggregation techniques, it would collect structured and unstructured data to provide a comprehensive view of the insurance landscape.

Data Cleansing and Transformation

Next, the software would employ machine learning algorithms to clean and normalize the data, identifying inconsistencies, errors, and duplications. Data transformation processes would convert raw data into actionable insights, ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Predictive Modeling and Risk Assessment

An intelligent insurance analytics software would then use advanced analytics and predictive modeling techniques to assess risk profiles for individual policyholders and evaluate overall portfolio risk. Analyzing historical data and identifying patterns would predict future claim likelihoods, enabling proactive risk management strategies.

Personalized Underwriting and Pricing

With a deep understanding of customer behavior and risk factors, the software would facilitate personalized underwriting and pricing strategies. After segmenting policyholders based on their risk profiles and preferences, it would then optimize pricing models to attract low-risk customers while maximizing profitability.

Claims Processing and Fraud Detection

Post pricing, the insurance analytics software would streamline claims processing workflows through automation and intelligent decision-making algorithms. It will analyze claim data in real time, identify potentially fraudulent activities, and flag suspicious claims for further investigation, minimizing financial losses due to fraud.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

A flexible insurance analytics solution would be easy to integrate within your CRM systems. It will help you seek insights into customer behavior, preferences, and satisfaction levels. When you understand customer interactions across various touchpoints, it will allow you to personalize communication strategies and enhance customer retention efforts.

Performance Monitoring and Reporting

Through intuitive dashboards and customizable reports, the software would provide real-time visibility into key performance indicators (KPIs) and business metrics. Assessing these metrics, insurance executives and managers could monitor business performance, track trends, and make data-driven decisions to drive operational efficiency and strategic growth.

Continuous Improvement and Adaptation

When built on AI and ML capabilities, an insurance analytics platform would continuously learn from new data inputs and adapt its algorithms to evolving market dynamics and regulatory changes. This iterative practice of the software will ensure you stay at the forefront of innovation, delivering long-term value to your insurance company.

Applications of Insurance Analytics Software

Insurance companies deal with tons of data, right? A smart analytics-based platform can help these companies perform several functions on the go with less time and with fewer risks involved. Some of these functions are-

Claim Severity Analysis

Insurance analytics software is used to look at past claims and compare them to what’s happening now. It helps in figuring out how serious a claim might be so decisions can be made regarding how to handle it and how much it might cost.

Fraud Detection

The solution acts like a detective for insurance agencies. It sifts through all the claim data, looking for anything fishy. If something doesn’t add up or seems suspicious, it raises a red flag so insurers can investigate further.

Claims Investigation

When there’s an accident, insurers use the software to connect the dots between everyone involved – like the people, the vehicles, and any witnesses. It helps get the full picture and figure out what really happened.

Risk Assessment

It allows businesses to take a sneak peek into the future– well, sort of. This software crunches numbers to figure out how likely it is that certain events, like claims, will happen. It helps insurers understand where the risks are so they can plan ahead.

Customer Insights

Ever wonder how insurance companies know what customers want? They use the software to analyze feedback and past interactions. It helps improve their services and makes customers happier.

Claims Processing Efficiency

Nobody likes paperwork, right? This software takes care of a lot of the boring stuff, making it quicker and easier for insurers to deal with claims. It’s like a turbo boost for efficiency!

Regulatory Compliance

Laws and regulations are always changing, which can be a headache for insurers. But this software keeps track of everything to make sure they’re following the rules.

Market Analysis

Insurance is a competitive business, so it’s important for insurers to keep an eye on what’s happening in the market. This software helps them stay ahead of the game by analyzing trends and what their competitors are up to.

How do you Choose Experts for Insurance Analytics Software Development?

Choosing the right software development company for your insurance analytics software is crucial to get success in what you planned for your insurance business. Here are a few steps that will help you through the vendor selection process.

Define Your Needs

Before diving into the selection process, make sure you have a clear understanding of what you need. Identify the specific features, functionalities, and goals you want your insurance analytics software to achieve.

Research Potential Partners

Start by researching software development companies that specialize in technologies like IoT and ML. Look at their portfolios, case studies, and client testimonials to get a sense of their expertise and track record in the industry.

Evaluate Technical Expertise

When assessing potential partners, pay close attention to their technical expertise. Do they have experience with the technologies and tools needed for insurance analytics software development? Are their developers skilled in data analytics, machine learning, and predictive modeling?

Consider Industry Knowledge

Insurance is a complex and highly regulated industry, so it’s essential to choose a development partner who understands its nuances. Look for companies that have experience working with insurance companies or BFSI businesses and are familiar with industry-specific challenges and requirements.

Check for Customization and Scalability

Your insurance analytics software needs to be tailored to your unique needs and capable of scaling as your business grows. Make sure the development company can provide customized solutions and has experience building scalable software architectures.

Assess Communication and Collaboration

Effective communication and collaboration are key to the success of any software development project. Look for a company that values transparency, keeps you updated on progress, and welcomes your input throughout the development process.

Consider Support and Maintenance

Developing insurance analytics software is just the beginning. You’ll also need ongoing support and maintenance to ensure your software remains up-to-date and performs optimally. Choose a development partner that offers reliable support services.

Conclusion

Thus, investing in tailored insurance analytics solutions isn’t just a luxury; it’s a strategic imperative. Whether you’re a seasoned player in the insurance industry or a newcomer looking to make a splash, this software can become a ladder of success for you if developed and used correctly. So, embrace the future of insurance operations, collaborate with trusted software development experts, and embark on a journey toward unparalleled efficiency and growth. Your insurance business will thank you.

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