RSI Concepts - Top IT Solution Provider Company in Dubai, UAE

May 28, 2024May 28, 2024

Mobile Queue Management: The Rise of App-Based Solutions

The smartphone app-based mobile queue management systems are gaining popularity due to their advanced features and ability to meet the needs of the modern more tech-savvy population. The UAE is a technologically one of the most advanced nation in this region. Businesses operating in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and all around the country are always eager to modernize their digital solutions and customer service practices to gain competitive advantage and to optimize their operational efficiency.

For service sector the large customer inflow is always a big challenge, for that businesses adopt to various technologies and solutions to maintain acceptable wait time and optimum customer experience. A digital queue management system is an extremely effective digital transformation tool. The modern day digital queue management systems are powered by smart algorithms and AI which make them more effective and efficient.

A queue management system streamlines customer flow, it is fully integrated within existing IT infrastructure and central information management system. Businesses can not only minimize customer wait time but they can also offer innovative features to enhance customer experience and to improve service delivery mechanisms. The queue management system optimize the entire customer journey, adding value to customer experience and it also help improving branch performance.

The mobile queue management is a latest form of digital queuing, it integrates a dedicated smartphone application which aids queue management system and it also offer more features and convenience to the customers. In this blog we will briefly discuss mobile queue management and its key benefits.

Mobile Queue Management: The Rise of App-Based Solutions

What is Mobile Queue Management System?

When it comes to the Mobile Queue Management System, people often think that it is a smartphone application that is exclusively designed to support queuing processes and typical queue management systems. That is true at some extent, however, it is not entirely about a dedicated mobile queue management application.

The mobile queue management system supports smartphone apps, QR code based queuing, SMS queuing and even WhatsApp queuing, all are part of a Mobile Queue Management System. The queue management systems have evolved a lot over the time, initially starting with humble paper pencil, later with incorporating basic digital devices and then matured into a full-fledged digital transformation tool.

In past few years the rise of contactless queuing results in a lot of modernization and innovation. The mobile queue management system is the result of that evolution. It incorporate several remote channels in the queuing process, offering unprecedented convenience, enabling customers to sign-up remotely for virtual queues and empowering both customers and the service agents with various innovative features.

The mobile queue management system is superior as it supports virtual queuing where the customers are not required to be physically present in the premises to be eligible for the queue. Furthermore the mobile queue management system provides real-time updates to customers and send them timely alerts and notifications which help improving customer interaction.

How Mobile Queue Management System Works?

A queue management system has two parts, one is its hardware part which usually has an interactive self-service ticket dispensing kiosk, a digital signage and an audio announcement system, the usage of digital counter name plats is also common. The software included a server-side queue management software application which is the brain of the system, it also have many components such as UI at interactive self-service ticket dispensing kiosk, digital signage management tools, and administrative dashboards. The service agents are provided with specialized dashboard which provides them necessary information and control over the customer flow.

The mobile queue management system contains additional components, such as dedicated queue management system mobile apps, QR Codes, and integration with other communication channels such as SMS and WhatsApp, etc.

QR Code Based Queuing: The QR Codes can be generated from within the queue management system which can be pasted in places where most of your customers can see them. The customer will have to scan it and it will take them to the online sign-up page which generate a digital ticket for them and other queuing information and updates can be provided at the same page.
WhatsApp Queuing: The WhatsApp number can be provided through website, social media or any other channel which take users to an automated WhatsApp chat and let them sign-in. The service agents can also access this chat if necessary and provide updates to the customer or allow them to talk with support team through the same chat.
Dedicated Mobile Apps: A dedicated queue management system smartphone application is provided to users which they can download from Android Play Store or Apple (iOS) App Store. Customers can sign-in to the application, then they can book an appointment or sign-up for the queue from within the applications. Several other features can be provided through dedicated mobile apps for queue management system which help empowering customers and elevate customer experience.
SMS Based Queuing: The customers are provided with a dedicated number for the SMS which is automated and help businesses collect basic information, it also issue the e-ticket through the SMS and help customers sign-up for the virtual queues. The customers can also get alerts and updates through the SMS and the SMS are also used along with other queuing methods to send alerts, instant updates and notification through the SMS.

From all of the above mobile queuing components the queue management mobile applications are the most advanced and impactful. The mobile application not only facilitate virtual queuing but it also offers a multitude of innovative features which further help businesses and customers.

How Mobile Queue Management System Works?

What are the Features of Queue Management Mobile App-Based Solutions?

There are two types of queue management mobile app-based solution, one is integrated mobile app and the second is the dedicated queue management system mobile app. The integrated mobile app is not exclusively designed for queue management system, although it could have all the features but the integrated app has other purposes too. Both solutions are fully customizable and allow businesses to incorporate all the features they want. Both app-based solutions are just like an extension to the on-premises digital queue management system and the primary objective is to allow customers to sign-up remotely via the smartphones.

This features enable businesses to greatly reduce the customer wait time, in fact it can literally be reduced to none. The long wait time is one of the most crucial factor in customer service which undermine customer satisfaction and make them unhappy. Here are some key features of queue management mobile app-based solutions which benefits both customers and businesses.

Mobile Queue Management: Remote Sign-ups and Virtual Queuing

The virtual queuing is a modern form of queue management which enable businesses to let customers and visitors sign-in in a virtual queues, this means the customers can be considered in queue without being physically present in the waiting line. This is a remarkable feature and it offer a lot of freedom to customers and visitors which greatly elevate their experience and raise customer satisfaction. The remote sign-ups or sign-in is a feature that allow customers and visitors to remotely sign-up for a queue without being physically present on business premises.

The remote sign-in and the virtual queuing allow customers to sign-up for the queue while they are on the way to customer service center or even before that. The customers are also not bound to wait in the waiting areas, they can spend time anywhere else, and arrive only when their ticket is called. This empowers customers and it also help improving their waiting experience, with virtual queues and remote sign-ups the customers only have to wait for minute or two at maximum, and this can also be avoided which is a great advantage of mobile queue management.

Mobile Queue Management: Appointment Booking and Visit Scheduling

Another remarkable feature that mobile queue management offers is the ability to integrate appointment booking system and visit scheduling tools. A queue management system is a very smart solution with advanced data collection and analysis tools. The queue management software has in-built smart algorithms and AI (artificial intelligence) which enables it to analyze the real-time data with context of historical data. This enable the queue management system to predict the expected footfall and wait time at any particular day or time. When the customers are booking appointment from their queue management system mobile application this data can be provided to them to let them make informed decisions as per their needs.

For example, if every last Wednesday of the month is the least busy day, or the footfall reduced during the noon, this information can help customers choose the right time for their appointment. In case if the customers fail to arrive or know they won’t be able to reach in time, they can immediately reschedule to the next available slot or to another day and time form within the mobile application. These features enhance customer experience and raise customer satisfaction.

Mobile Queue Management: Appointment Booking and Visit Scheduling

Mobile Queue Management: Branch Locator

The mobile queue management offers various innovative features such as the branch locator. That is a very useful feature and it helps customers and visitors to find the route/location map to the nearest branch. Businesses with multiple branches in a city could guide their customers and visitors to a particular branch as per their needs and current circumstances. For example, if a branch is full, and is expected to remain full, then the customers and visitors could be redirected to the next branch even before they initiate the sign-up processes, they can be asked to choose the branch nearby.

The information can be provided in an interactive UI where they can see all available branches on a live map along with basic information such as the timing, current pending tickets, and expected wait time, etc. Furthermore the in-built smart algorithms can also suggest customers which is the closest branch or which branch has the quickest expected wait time and so on. The appointment booking module and the ticket-scheduling features can be integrated within the branch locator to enhance customer experience. The branch locator feature is excellent for banks, pharmacies, healthcare, retail and government offices.

Mobile Queue Management: Enhanced Customer Experience

The biggest advantage of having a mobile queue management system with smartphone app-based solution is the elevated customer experience and higher customer satisfaction. For any business the customer satisfaction is the most crucial factor in their success. In service sector the major cause of customers’ unhappiness is the longer wait time and inefficient service delivery practices. A modern digital queue management system with mobile app-based solutions can greatly improve these two factors.

It not only reduce the wait time but it also help minimizing the impact of perceived wait time and it offers more freedom and control to customers over their interaction which raise their happiness. The dedicated queue management system mobile applications offer several intuitive features to simplify and enhance customer experience while empowering them and giving them more control. It also provide more control and flexibility to the service staff which boost their efficiency and further improve customer experience.

Mobile Queue Management: Enhanced Customer Experience

Mobile Queue Management: Better Human Resource Management

A digital queue management system can completely transform your customer service centers and open up new horizons for innovation and improvement. The mobile application based queue management solutions not only elevate customer experience but also offer valuable features which empower service staff and boost their efficiency. The staff can have more control over customer flow and they can get updated information in their dedicated service agent dashboard. The branch managers and even the head office can get live queuing data and updates which help them effectively utilize the available staff.

When the customers have choice to sign-in virtual queues, they tend to arrive on time of their call, which reduce the workload of the staff and also help preventing crowd formation. More customers waiting in waiting areas cause more distraction for the staff and undermine their efficiency. However, with limited number of customers in the waiting areas and more control over customer flow the staff can work under fairly balanced workload which boost their morale and greatly improve their performance enabling businesses for better human resource management and it also reduce human resource cost.

Mobile Queue Management: Better Human Resource Management

Mobile Queue Management: Business Intelligence Data Collection

Business intelligence data is one of the most important factor in planning and decision making. Modern day businesses heavily rely on data to take important strategic decisions and without a strong and solid data analysis the decisions could easily go wrong. Therefore businesses always strive to collect analytical and statistical data which they can incorporate in their decision making process. A modern queue management system with mobile app-based solution is equipped with smart data collection tools and AI which makes it a great source of valuable business intelligence data.

The management can effectively monitor the customer flow, they can track staff performance and KPIs, along with analytical and statistical data from each and every customer touch point throughout the entire customer journey. Businesses can collect customer feedback and also identify the bottlenecks and pain points to resolve them for better customer experience. The queue management system mobile app enable businesses to request for customer feedback at the end of each interaction or even afterwards. The business intelligence data and customer feedback can be a great asset for a business.

Mobile Queue Management: Business Intelligence Data Collection

Mobile Queue Management: Scalability and Customization

A queue management system itself is a very flexible tool towards customization and scalability. Every business grows over the time so does their needs, challenges and business processes. A queue management system is built on very flexible software stack which makes it very convenient and cost-effective for a business to scale them up or customize them to meet the emerging needs and challenges. The queue management system software is a server-side application which has ability to integrate with other software, applications, solutions, databases and central information system.

The integration allow queue management system to talk to other systems and help businesses incorporate innovative features which enhance customer journey and also have positive impact on overall operational performance. The queue management system mobile apps are typically hybrid apps which are easy to maintain, customize and upgrade. Even if you are using native apps, you can always modify them to add new features, customize existing UIs and much more. The ability to scale and customize makes queue management system with mobile app-based solutions ideal for modern businesses.

Mobile Queue Management: Scalability and Customization

Conclusion

The rise of mobile app-based queue management solutions is a significant milestone in customer service industry. The modern queue management systems with smartphone apps have completely changed the way businesses were managing their customer flow and branch performance. In fact a modern day queue management system is a full-fledged branch transformation tool which can greatly boost the branch performance and elevate customer experience while saving a lot on operational cost.

In the competitive markets such as Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other regions of UAE where the customers are normally very tech-savvy and the digital interaction is highly regarded as the sign of better quality the modern day queue management system equipped with smartphone application can gain you a great competitive advantage. It is not only about making an impression but in fact it has become an essential for optimum performance and efficiency. The customer flow management is one of the most critical factor in customer experience and the customer experience is extremely important for a long term and sustainable success.

The mobile app-based queue management solutions are equipped by smart algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) which make them superior and it also help businesses incorporate innovative and intuitive features for their customers and visitors. The queue management system mobile application can deliver a satisfactory customer experience while optimizing customer journey and enhancing staff performance.

In this blog we have briefly discussed what is a mobile app-based queue management solution is and how businesses can leverage its advanced features to drive performance and customer excellence. If you want to learn more about the subject or if you want our help to develop a bespoke mobile application-based queue management system for your organization, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

May 22, 2024May 22, 2024

Revolutionizing Campus Services with Student Kiosks

The interactive self-service kiosk industry is rapidly expanding its scope in multiple industries. The educational institutes and establishments are eagerly seeking solutions to boost efficiency and efficacy. Similar to any other typical kiosk the student kiosks are also a computer terminal consisting of various devices and peripherals enabling students, teachers, parents, guests and new comers to perform various tasks conveniently and efficiently. The student kiosks or student information kiosks are not only offering quick access to various services but also improving the workflows and processes which greatly enhance student experience.

The student kiosks act as a mini administrative office offering a ton of services and easy access to information along with sing-ins, scanning, printing and in some cases payment services too. The student kiosk are typically installed on various places at the campuses, so more people can access them conveniently. The traditional campus services involve tedious processes majorly based on paper-pencil based systems, long queues and administrative bottlenecks which undermine the student experience.

Although universities, colleges and schools are proactively managing their front offices, receptions and administrative offices, but the large influx could be very frustrating for both the students and the staff as well. The student kiosks on the other hand offers instant access to various services with highly organized information structure and above all the digitalization brought automation and efficiency which enhances student experience. In this blog we will briefly discuss how student kiosks are completely revolutionizing user experience.

Revolutionizing Campus Services with Student Kiosks

What is a Student Kiosk?

The student kiosks are interactive self-service kiosks which hare widely used all across educational institutions in UAE. Schools, colleges, universities and libraries in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and all across the country are proactively seeking technologies to improve educational system. There are various different types of informational and transactional student kiosks or campus kiosks are widely used to provide instant access to information or to deliver various services via self-service experience.

These interactive self-service student kiosks are not only facilitating students but also offering various services to teachers, faculty, administrative staff, and even guests which can greatly improve the overall business productivity and performance.

Student kiosks or Campus Kiosks offer simple and easy registration process, ability to access student portals, internet access, and easy access to university resources, well-organized information repository, and a multitude of features. Furthermore the student kiosks or campus kiosks are very helpful for the visitors, newcomers and guests, offering them required information, navigations and way finding, and various other services.

These kiosks are strategically placed in various places across the campus, such as at class rooms, near administrative offices, common areas, libraries, cafeterias, etc. The university administration can also utilize these kiosks for sharing information, making announcements, and for general communications. These features greatly enhance student experience and also help optimizing operational efficiency.

What are the Key Advantages of a Student Kiosk?

With the rise of technology businesses and customers have adopted modern ways to interact, same is applicable at universities, schools, colleges and other educational institutions. Traditionally these establishments have large facilities, sometime even navigating them could be difficult for visitors and guests. Similarly if a student has to visit an admin office which might located on the other side of the campus and he/she has to attend a class at the other coroner. This will disturb their schedules, and it is common for students to skip the classes or be late due to such matters. However, when all these services and information are provided at kiosk located at easily accessible spots within campus, the students can easily access it.

Here are some key advantages of student kiosks:

Streamlining Registration Process

The registration is one of the most crucial process, often student and parents find themselves stuck in these complex administrative processes. A student kiosk or campus kiosk offers various features such as ability to take student data, scan student documents, and integrate the data with other relevant systems. The student kiosks offers intuitive user interfaces with on-screen instructions, which take students, parents and any user through the required process. The students can easily scan their documents, IDs, and even QR Codes/Barcodes which ensures highest level of security and convenience.

Even the most modern campus kiosks also offer payment facility enabling student to pay for their enrollments or other dues. Furthermore for the students who are already enrolled, they can print their documents, schedules, timetables, assignments, and much more. Students can also update their information, apply for schedules, check available laboratory slots, and much more through these student kiosks. Furthermore the student kiosks or campus kiosks can be linked with the central information systems of the organization to offer more up-to-date information and data.

Enhancing Accessibility

The modern day educational system have completely transformed, now a day’s the accessibility and inclusivity are the two crucial aspects of any educational establishment. Now a days the educational culture is more inclusive and accommodating, especially in UAE where there are a lot of international students are studying, the need of an inclusive and diverse educational culture is even more. A campus kiosk or student kiosk is well-equipped with advanced features such as multi-lingual user interfaces, artificial intelligence (AI) and smart algorithms which ensures an excellent personalized user experience.

Furthermore these kiosks are also equipped with the features that caters to the needs of students and users with disability or special needs. Furthermore these kiosks can also offer voice-activated features, screen readers and various other such features which help users with special needs. By enabling enhanced accessibility and inclusivity features universities, colleges, schools and other educational establishments can foster a culture of inclusive and highly student-friendly educational environment.

Improved Campus Services

In a typical university, college or school environment the organization offers a multitude of services, which often are accessible through the administrative offices or dedicated service counters. One of the major drawback of traditional service mechanisms is that these channels are subjected to long waiting and several administrative hurdles which undermine student’s experience and also cause many problems. The student kiosks or campus kiosks or also known as student information kiosks are digital solutions, which digitalize various internal processes, it integrates with other IT infrastructure and synchronize various different system and databases.

These abilities coupled with various hardware features enable educational institutions to streamline their internal workflows and business processes, resulting in elevated student experience and simplified service deliver mechanisms. When campuses transitioned from manual to digital and automated management practices, their operational efficiency can greatly improve, resulting in improved campus services delivery and excellent user experience.

Flexible Customization and Integration

The student kiosks, campus kiosks or any other student information kiosks are all running on a backend application which is a kiosk management program that manages the data, information and everything at the kiosk. The kiosk management program is installed on a server and it manages all connected student kiosks automatically. It further provide a control panel or administrative dashboard providing control of various kiosk features, functionalities and information. This system is developed on cutting-edge technology platforms, which enable organizations to customize them as per their unique business needs and challenges.

Furthermore the student kiosks can be integrated with the third-party system, solutions and business tools. It can seamlessly be integrated with student information system, financial system, educational system, database and central information system. The integration allow student kiosks to communicate with other systems and cater up-to-date data and information. Furthermore the internet access, student portal and access to campus resources, or various other campus services can greatly elevate student experience.

Higher Operational Efficiency

Every university, college, school, library or educational institution have faced one of the most common challenge which is about operational efficiency. Especially when the new classes are starting, or during new enrollments, or during exams or any other such activity. The human resource is limited, the long waiting lines are evidence of the inefficiency and poor performance in the traditional management practices. From organizational point of view the student kiosks or campus kiosks are a great digital transformation tool which not only benefits students but also greatly benefits the educational institutions.

A student kiosk serves as a mini administrative office, offering a multitude of services via an excellent self-service experience. This not only improve service delivery practices but also enhance internal business processes and workflows. The digitalization of internal workflows and business process automation help boosting operational efficiency and also the staff performance. Where it offer convenience to students, parents, faculty and guests, the campus kiosks or student kiosks can offer great features to administrative and management staff as well, resulting in a significant increase in performance and efficiency.

Analytical Data Collection

The student information kiosks or campus kiosks comes with a specialized kiosk management software application which has in-built smart algorithms and data collection tools. The student kiosk management software collects valuable analytical data and system usage stats which can be processed and analyzed with in-built analytical and reporting tools. The data help management understand the system usage trends, student and other user’s behavior and analytical data from various touch points. This data is very helpful in personalizing the user experience as well.

For example, the student might be performing a certain set of tasks, and they might be interested in a certain type of information, hence these can be made more accessible and understandable to enhance student experience. Similarly the user experience for other user groups can be greatly enhanced by collecting analytical data. Furthermore the analytical data collection and customized reports help management take informed decisions. This data is also very helpful in improving and enhancing user experience and adding innovative features for better performance and higher efficiency.

Cost-Effective Solutions

The student kiosks, campus kiosks or student information kiosks or any other educational kiosk is a great tool to optimize and minimize the cost. These solutions offer higher returns over a long term usage. Usually these kiosks can last for many years without requiring any upgrade or modifications. However, the longevity and flexibility are the two main trait of any customized kiosk solution. The student kiosks might have slightly higher initial cost, however, in the long run these kiosk can significantly reduce operational cost. Offering alternative service channels, reduce the workload of the staff hence offering better human resource management.

Reducing human resource cost without compromising service quality is a great advantage. In fact the customized interactive self-service kiosks offer even better service quality and elevated user experience. These kiosks require very less maintenance and could operate 24/7 without requiring any rest time. Furthermore the student kiosks can be customized and upgraded in order to support emerging needs down the road which make them relevant for many years. The operational cost of student kiosks is also very low which make them ideal for educational institutions.

Future Trends of Student Kiosks

The rapid adaptation of the student kiosks all around the globe shows a promising future for the student kiosks. Furthermore the technological platforms are also developing rapidly which is evident of more innovation, modernization and effectiveness of the student kiosks in coming days. The information management platforms are revolutionizing with the unprecedented advancements in AI (artificial intelligence) and mobile technologies. Similar will going to enhance student experience along with a wide spectrum of business advantages. The wireless communication has completely revolutionized various aspects of digital experience.

In the coming future the personalized experience will be dominating the digital interaction, hence advanced data collection methods, analytical tools and IoTs would be dominating the student kiosks, enabling students to get instant access to the required information, simplifying registration and enrollment processes, enhancing payment process, enabling new methods to conveniently access campus resources and much more. All these features will not only revolutionize the student kiosk but such features will make them essential for modern educational institutions.

See Also: Why smart kiosks are the future?

Conclusion

A student kiosk is a digital computer terminal equipped with various software and hardware tools that enable students, parents, guests, and faculties to perform certain tasks via self-service experience which are traditionally done through admin office or relevant service desks. The modern student kiosks also offer printing, scanning and payment facilities supporting various tasks and enhancing user experience.

The student kiosks, student information kiosks or campus kiosks all are the same thing, these are customized solutions designed to enable convenient and easy access to information and services. These kiosks digitalize various internal processes and work flows, which reduce the dependency on the traditional and paper-based slow administrative processes, adding value to student experience and overall operational efficiency.

The student kiosk are placed strategically all across the campus premises, enabling easy reach and quick access to information and services. Furthermore the campus kiosks are a great tool to welcome guests, newcomers, parents and visitors, offering them vital information and access to various services and resources. Furthermore the integration of advanced payment features enable easy enrollment, payment for various services and even for tuition fees, etc. All such features are great at enhancing user experience. The student kiosks are also great at offering personalized experience to various user groups, catering them with the services and information according to their needs and behavioral patterns.

A customized interactive self-service kiosk is a very cost-effective solution, the operational cost and maintenance requirements are also very low and the student kiosks can operate 24/7 non-stop offering more flexibility and easy access. The scalability, customization and upgrades are also very inexpensive which makes them relevant for many years and even afterwards these kiosks can be repurposed too which ensures excellent ROIs.

In this blog we have discussed what a student kiosk is and what key advantages it can offer for students and the organization. If you want to learn more about the subject or if you want our help to develop a customized student kiosk for your university, school, college, library or educational institution, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

May 14, 2024May 16, 2024

Custom Software Development for Enhanced User Experience

Can you imagine running a business solely with paper pencil? Today, the idea seems laughable, however about a century back all businesses were efficiently working and maintaining information using the humble paper pencil. Modern technology has become the invisible backbone of our daily lives, both personal and professional. Just as we rely on our smartphones to stay connected, businesses rely on sophisticated software and IT solutions to achieve peak performance. No matter your industry, embracing technology is no longer optional – it’s the key to unlocking operational efficiency and it a key aspect of establishing a unique brand identity which gains you a competitive edge.

Businesses ranging from SMEs to large enterprises and government establishments are utilizing several software applications. The need of the software never ends, in fact it keeps growing with the passage of time. There are mainly two categories of software applications, one is the commercial off-the-shelf or commonly known as COTS and the other is the custom software development. Both are just two methods to implement a solution that can address to your problems and help you improve operational efficiency. In this blog we will discuss how custom software can greatly enhance user experience, performance and overall operational efficiency for your business.

Custom Software Development for Enhanced User Experience

What is the Difference between Custom Software and Commercial Off-the-Shelf Solutions?

Software are everywhere! In fact the web-browser you’re using now, the operating system on your computer (Windows or Mac), even the machine you swipe at work to clock in and out. But as the saying goes, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel, it is already invented! Business don’t have to create everything from the scratch. However, when it comes to business tools and software application, there are two road to go forward, the commercial off-the-shelf software or COTS and the custom software development. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages, however, we have to understand which is more suitable as per our needs.

Let’s assume you need to streamline your document approval process for clients or suppliers? Here, the two roads diverge. You can search for existing software that fits your needs, or consider acquiring services of a custom software development company like RSI Concepts.

The commercial off-the-shelf software solution might seem popular, catchy and having international development companies behind them, but it won’t perfectly fit your specific and unique business needs. At best, it gets you 80% of the way there, but the other 20% might be features you don’t need or missing functionalities you crave. However, that is not the case with custom software development.

The bespoke software solutions are exclusively designed for your business keeping all your business needs at forefront. That is why a customized software perfectly aligns with all you needs, it can fit like a glove, it works exactly the way you want it to, which can greatly boost your user experience, efficiency and performance.

What is the Difference between Custom Software and Commercial Off-the-Shelf Solutions?

How Custom Software Development Enhances User Experience?

Have you ever used an application or a webpage which felt clunky and confusing? Maybe you spent a lot of time looking up for a button, or maybe the information are not presented in a well-organized manners, or the entire experience is poor! That is what a user experience or UX is, if you are unhappy you won’t efficiently perform the task you wanted to. But what if there is a way to make that app or website intuitive, easy-to-navigate and enjoyable? That is the power of custom software development. It lets you design the application and software the way you want it to, you chose the buttons, colors, functionalities and even how each functionality works.

The custom software development is known for its ability to greatly enhance user experience which boost efficiency and performance. Here are some key factors which make user experience very crucial for the success or failure of any software application:

User Engagements: Users tend to use and interact with software and applications that more easy to work with, intuitive and have enjoyable experience.
Efficiency and Performance: When the users can easily find the options they need and they can easily navigate through the software they tend to complete tasks very quickly.
User Trust: When users have a seamless interaction with a software or application they start trusting it and vice versa. Intuitive software are always admired by the users.
User Satisfaction: When users have satisfactory experience with a software, either your employee or customers they are more likely to use it more frequently.
Brand Loyalty: You customers tend to come back again if they have had a satisfactory interaction with your software applications and they are more likely to recommend it to others.

How Custom Software Development Enhances User Experience?

By leveraging modern technologies and advanced design practices businesses can develop intuitive and user-friendly interfaces (UIs) for their software application which will delight the users. Whether an application is built for employees or for customers, the intuitive and user-friendly design is an essential component to ensure the success.

Here are some key advantages of custom software development which are very helpful enhancing the user experience and ensuring user satisfaction:

Customization and Personalization

One of the greatest advantage of custom software development is its ability to allow businesses to customize and personalize the user experience as per their needs. The commercial off-the-shelf software solutions are built as per industry standards, hence have a generic interface which might not properly optimize to enhance the workflows that you are aiming to improve. However, with the custom software development you can decide which functionality you want, how you want it and how it should work.

You can customize the names of design elements, buttons, features, menu items, etc. as per your convenience which also minimize the training needs and it is a great way to enhance user experience. You can personalize the interface and functionalities to align them with your existing internal workflows. You can customize the color scheme, design style to make it more familiar and understandable. All these factors greatly help enhancing the user experience and boost efficiency.

Customization and Personalization

Scalability and Flexibility

One of the biggest drawback of commercial off-the-shelf software is its limited ability to support scalability and offer the flexibility which is necessary for growing businesses. However, the custom software development is done keeping scalability in mind. As it is already designed exclusively for the business to meet their specific needs, it also offer easy upgrades and customization. As the needs grow and more features are needed, and over the time some existing features might also need changes or improvements, all this can be done seamlessly with custom software development.

Adding new features or integrating it with more third-party software, databases and application can be done easily. However, the COTS fell short at offering this level of scalability and flexibility. The customized software evolve alongside the business and can grow as the needs grow, offering the ultimate flexibility a business needs to stay ahead of the curve. Adding new features or customizing existing features with ability to integrate with other tools can greatly enhance functionality adding value to user experience.

Scalability and Flexibility

Streamlining Workflows

Think of a software or application that help you performing your tasks and have specialized features that you need to achieve your goals? Obviously that would be very comforting and happy experience. The commercial off-the-shelf software solutions lack the ability to offer exclusive features that perfectly align with your needs, this could sometime make user frustrated. The custom software development on the other hand is all about improving user satisfaction and boosting efficiency.

The customized software are designed to optimize the workflows by directly addressing to bottlenecks, user pain points and by eliminating repetitive work from the process. Where this greatly optimize the business processes it also minimize the user efforts and help them achieving their goal very quickly and effortlessly. The custom software development empowers employees with reducing their efforts, automatically pushing data, performing routine tasks through automation, and by facilitating communications and collaborations. All these factors greatly enhance user experience.

Streamlining Workflows

Easy System Integration

One of the major drawback of commercial off-the-shelf software is their limited ability to support third-party system integration. As these software are generic and designed for masses, they are slow to evolve hence failing to keep up the pace with your emerging needs. Furthermore the COTS are built on standard technologies with a lot of restrictions and limitation to access the source code of the application, this realty limit their ability to integrate with other third-party software and businesses usually end up spending large sums on intermediary applications to enable integration.

In some cases businesses have to move to a completely new software solution due to its inability to offer required integration, which have huge cost and complications. The custom software development doesn’t have any such problem, it is very easy to integrate them with third-party software, tools, databases, and central information system of the organization. The business owns the entire source code and database, which give them full control over the application and enable them to integrate it with any other third-party tool as per their needs.

Easy System Integration

Superior Security and Control

One of the biggest advantage of the custom software development is that the software is exclusively designed for the business. Hence the business owns all ownership rights including source code, and databases with full control over software hosting. This provide businesses ability to make their applications more secure as the customized software can be hosted at on-premises data centers as well as the cloud of your choice. This empower businesses and give them full control over their data and sensitive information. When the users are aware that their data is protected and will not be hosted with a third-party they tend to be more confident and have more trust on the software.

Businesses can also implement their own security policies to ensure superior protection. Furthermore since the customized software are exclusively designed for the business, the software is not available to anyone else. However this is not the case with the commercial off-the-shelf software, as they are designed and marketed to masses they are widely available, this means their structure and technology is known to masses and this also make them more vulnerable. Furthermore your data is stored with the software supplier, which offer you limited control over you data and sensitive user information.

Superior Security and Control

Cost-effectiveness

Most of the time businesses think the custom software development is expensive, and it is due to its higher upfront cost, however, when you analyze the long-term cost you will know the customized software are much more cost-effective and have higher ROI. The commercial off-the-shelf software have less upfront cost and can be deployed within days or even hours. However there are several reoccurring costs, fees and charges. If you need customization, you will have to pay extremely high cost, and the customization too is very limited.

The scaling and upgrades are also very expensive with limited scope. This make them more expensive and over the time the COTS become less effective due to certain limitations. However, the custom software development on the other hand offers easy customization with very less or no cost if you have in-house team. The scalability and flexibility is superior too, you don’t have to pay any reoccurring cost, the maintenance is very less expensive and you got the full ownership of the application as well.

All these factors make customized software much more cost-effective and reliable.

Cost-effectiveness

Conclusion

The business landscape in UAE is very competitive, each year we got hundreds of new businesses registering (both startups and international organization) in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other regions of the country. This makes market even more competitive, and in order to survive and thrive businesses must have highest possible level of operational efficiency and optimized operational cost. When it comes to software solutions, the decision of selecting between a commercial off-the-shelf software solution and custom software development could have huge impact over business’s success. Where the COTS offer quicker deployment and convenience they often fell short at aligning with exclusive and unique business needs.

Custom software development on the other hand empowers businesses. It helps them innovate unique and exclusive features to gain competitive advantage and superior efficiency. There are two major factors the cost and the performance which determine the success or failure of a software project. The commercial off-the-shelf solutions fell way behind on these two scales, the custom software development is very cost-effective in long-term and it can tremendously boost business performance.

The custom software development enable businesses to incorporate innovative features with out-of-the-box approach which address to their unique and exclusive challenges. When it comes to performance the user experience of a software application plays a pivotal role in boosting efficiency and performance. The custom software development enable businesses to customize and personalize the user experience to empower and improve their internal workflows. Full control over the software and its source code enable businesses to customize features as per their needs while significantly reducing the effort to complete a task. This help users achieve their goal easily and quickly.

In this blog we have discussed how custom software development can enhance user experience which is a key to success. If you want to learn more about the subject or if you want our help to build your next bespoke software solution, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

May 11, 2024May 16, 2024

The Impact of Self-Service Kiosks on Business Efficiency

The customer service experience has been revolutionized with the modern interactive self-service kiosk. The customer behavior and expectations are also changed over the time, since past few years with the rise of smartphone and digital technologies, the customer behavior is getting changed. The customers are more inclined toward digital experience and appreciate quicker service delivery. This gives rise to interactive self-service solutions and the self-service kiosk is one of the most effective and impactful self-service solution for both customers and businesses. An interactive self-service kiosk is a computer terminal with some specialized components such as touch screen interfaces, payments, Emirates ID scanner, integrated customer support, biometrics, facial recognition, and a multitude of other software and hardware components.

These interactive self-service kiosks are adopted by almost entire customer service sector, whether it is a hospital or clinic, an airport, bank, retail store or educational institution, these flashy screens are popping up everywhere. These interactive self-service kiosks digitalize various internal processes to facilitate self-service operation. The digitalization drives automation and the automation help boosting efficiency and performance. In this blog we will discuss how self-service kiosk are impacting business efficiency and helping many businesses in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and all around the UAE.

The Impact of Self-Service Kiosks on Business Efficiency

How Self-Service Kiosks Impact Business Efficiency?

The self-service kiosks can greatly boost business efficiency, there are several features and tools which can be customized too to achieve exclusive business goals. Think of long waiting lines, when you are waiting the time seems to pass slowly, how frustrating it is. The self-service kiosk is a highly effective solution to minimize the customer wait time. Businesses utilizes various different types of interactive self-service kiosks for a wide spectrum of applications and utility.

Here are some key benefits of an interactive self-service payment kiosk which greatly help businesses from all industry sector to scale up their growth by offering satisfactory customer experience and advanced features which puts them apart from the others.

Self-Service Kiosks Reduce Wait Time and Improve Customer Experience

One of the biggest advantage of the interactive self-service kiosks is their ability to significantly reduce the customer wait time. These kiosks are either installed on-site or in remote locations to maximize the access. In any case an interactive self-service kiosks offers quicker and instant service. These kiosk are automated, doesn’t require assistance from the staff and are excellent at delivering self-service experience. This helps minimizing the wait time and it also help eliminating the impact of perceived wait time. The perceived wait time is often not considered by most of the businesses, however, it could have huge impact on customer experience.

Furthermore during peak hours, the waiting line could get very long, putting extra strain on staff and negatively impacting the entire customer flow. An interactive self-service kiosk can serve as an alternate service channel. Especially in countries like UAE where most of the population is very tech savvy, adding a digital experience could delight most of your audience. It can greatly help improving customer experience during the peak hours.

Self-Service Kiosks Reduce Wait Time and Improve Customer Experience

The interactive self-service kiosks are good at streamlining customer flow, it help distributing the influx between self-service and traditional service channels, keeping the performance of the service agents at maximum. When the service agents have balanced workload it not only speed up service delivery but also help boosting the service quality. Moreover the interactive self-service kiosks are computer terminals, running on customized software applications and can operate effectively 24/7 without any interruption. This helps businesses make information and services more accessible and it also help reaching out to unexplored markets without making huge investments in opening up new branches or regional offices.

With ability to integrate with other existing system such as queue management system, ERP, customer relationship management (CMR), queue management system, online booking management system, multiple payment methods (cash, coins, credit/debit cards, etc.), Emirates ID scanner, RFID, and a variety of other software and hardware tool can greatly enhance the performance and customer experience over in the busy service centers.

Interactive Self-Service Kiosk Improve Business Processes and Operational Efficiency

Where interactive self-service kiosks are beneficial for customers these technological marvels offer a great operational efficiency and are known for their ability to automate and simplify internal business processes. Any business process that involves serving customers could be a combination of various different tasks. For example, when a customer made a payment, the cashier collects it, he or she then update the internal books, which are later processed by the accountant and then the relevant staff takes action and ensure a quality service while also ensuring a smoother customer experience.

These all processes involve several different employees who belongs to various different business functions and teams. However, when a customer makes a payment on the kiosk, the accounts are updated automatically, the customer service team is updated, the service is delivered in no time and all records get updates instantly.

Interactive Self-Service Kiosk Improve Business Processes and Operational Efficiency

The interactive self-service kiosks are great at automating internal workflows and digitalizing repetitive tasks. For example, the order processing and payment collection is a routine task at any customer service center. With interactive self-service kiosks such processes can be automated saving a lot of staff effort, boosting productivity by reducing staff workload, and driving efficiency with making service delivery incredibly quick and convenient.

Furthermore the interactive self-service kiosks can operate 24/7 which makes them more superior and offer higher convenience. If you are living in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi or any other region of UAE you would have known sometimes how difficult and time consuming it could be to visit a customer service center. This takes time, and above all most of the service centers have limited operating hours, however, the interactive self-service kiosks offer services 24/7 and enhance customer experience. Businesses can also utilize self-service kiosks to extend their areas of operation as it is much convenient and cost-efficient to deploy an interactive self-service kiosk rather than opening up a new branch or regional office.

Self-Service Kiosks Offer Personalized Customer Experience and Improved Accuracy

Personalized customer experience and accuracy are the two key factors to improve customer satisfaction. The customer satisfaction is crucial for any business, and it is difficult to every time offer personalized customer experience with certain level of efficiency and optimum quality service with the traditional customer service center. The accuracy also declined especially during the peak hours. Here in UAE there is a huge expat population living, hence the customers sometimes require support in their native languages.

That is not always possible and could also be expensive at some times. However, with the interactive self-service kiosks all these problems can be rectified. There is virtually no barrier in kiosks, you can build UIs even in 10 different languages and the kiosk management software is intelligent enough to deliver consistent and personalized customer experience.

Self-Service Kiosks Offer Personalized Customer Experience and Improved Accuracy

Every interactive self-service kiosks comes with a kiosk management software which is usually a server-side application. This application integrates with all internal systems, databases, and central information system. It also has in-built smart algorithms which are capable of identifying the customer and also very effective at managing customer profiles and groups.

Moreover the kiosk management software enables it to identify the customer, it let customer interact in their language of choice and it can recall their past interaction which helps it to deliver a personalized customer experience as per their preferences, past interaction and their profile group which can greatly enhance customer experience and raise satisfaction.

Personalized Customer Experience Help Increasing Customer Satisfaction

Interactive Self-Service Kiosks Collect Data and Offer Simple Integration

The interactive self-service kiosks are a great tool to collect valuable business intelligence data. It is also capable of integrating with other business tools, software, databases and central information center. Businesses can integrate it with their accounts, sales, inventory management system, customer relationship management system (CRM), enterprise resource planning system (ERP), performance management system (PMS), facility management system, third-party services, payment gateways, customer call centers and much more. There are endless possibilities which enable businesses to innovate features and enhance customer experience to gain great competitive advantages.

These smart software solutions are capable of collecting business intelligence data from each and every touch point. The interactive self-service kiosks capture customer behavioral data along with their preference and it is also capable of effectively implementing business policies according to customer groups, or pre-set instructions.

Interactive Self-Service Kiosks Collect Data and Offer Simple Integration

The business intelligence data is not only limited to analytical data and statistical data but business can also collect customer feedback data directly from customer with a simplified feedback tools. The interactive self-service kiosk software also offer in-built analytical tools, customized reporting and integrated data sharing tools. Which help businesses integrating business intelligence data in their strategic decision making hence improving the productivity and performance.

Businesses can base their decisions on the analytical data which will improve their decision making and also help them understand customer trends and behavior. The customer feedback is very helpful it help businesses directly ask customer about any aspect of the customer service or business and help them understand customer sentiments. The modern day business landscape is heavily driven by the business intelligence and data, which is why the interactive self-service kiosks can be a great source of valuable business intelligence data with higher accuracy and literally no additional cost.

The Third-Party System Integration Help Driving Automation and Innovation

Conclusion

The interactive self-service kiosks have completely revolutionized the business operation and how customer interacts with the business. These solutions empower customers, give them more control, freedom and privacy. Furthermore the interactive self-service kiosks are a great tool to streamline customer service and boosting operational efficiency. Whether you deploy them in manned or un-manned setups, these technological marvels drive efficiency and boost productivity. Along with traditional service counters, the self-service kiosks help minimizing the impact of higher influx, reduce employee work load in peak hours, and help improving customer experience.

With the ability to streamline internal business processes and workflows along with 24/7 operation, the interactive self-service kiosks are and ideal solution for modern fast-paced customer oriented services. The customer-centric businesses are rapidly adopting to interactive self-service kiosks and tend to perform well comparing to traditional businesses. Furthermore the interactive self-service kiosks are very cost-effective, require less maintenance and can remain operational for many years without requiring any upgrade or modification, resulting in higher ROIs.

This is the reason why many industries such as retail, food sector, educational institutions, airports, healthcare, hospitality sector, and even government organizations are rapidly adopting to interactive self-service kiosks. If you are ready to embrace the revolutionary power of interactive self-service kiosks, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

May 6, 2024May 6, 2024

The Future of Performance Appraisals: 6 Innovations and Changes [Quick Guide]

The performance appraisal is a crucial aspect of performance management, businesses are proactively seeking ways to maximize their performance. Traditionally the performance appraisal is a once in a year exercise associated with a lot of paper work, yearly meetings, and little bit of frustration. Both the managers and employees felt the pressure during the appraisal process. However, things have changed rapidly, businesses have started adopting more modern and advanced performance appraisals systems to boost the performance and employee engagements. Since past decade we have witnessed a wide-scale adoption of modern performance appraisal methods and systems all around the world.

Businesses in UAE are also rapidly adopting to modern performance management trends. In this blog we will discuss how a modern performance management system can greatly elevate your performance management process. The modern software-based performance management systems digitalize the process, offer advanced data collection tools, and boost employee engagements and satisfaction. The modern workforce have different priorities and require a completely different performance management approach. This is why the traditional annual reviews and performance appraisal systems are failing, compelling businesses to embrace the innovation and automation.

The Future of Performance Appraisals Innovations and Changes

The Evolution of the Performance Appraisal System

The traditional performance appraisal system focuses on annual reviews majorly focused on hierarchal feedbacks, which proven to be ineffective for the modern workforce. The major reasons of its failure are the revolutionary change in the workforce behavior alongside rapid and sudden changes in the business landscape. Businesses started realizing that they need a more frequent and continuous performance assessment framework which is very responsive and it aligns with the modern workforce mindset. Now a days businesses are more focused on continuous feedback and real-time assessments which led to real-time development and improvements.

Moreover the one-size-fits-all approach also faded away, as businesses have realized that this method is no longer fruitful. Instead of that businesses started adopting personalized and robust assessment methodologies that are flexible and harmonious with individual employee needs and goals. Instead of appraisals being an annual event the modern performance appraisal system offers a bi-weekly or monthly assessments and a continuous feedback framework which keeps employee engaged and promote a highly collaborative and highly efficiency development system. The regular check-ins are a great way to discuss ongoing progress, give constructive feedback and align employees with organizational goals and objectives.

The Evolution of the Performance Appraisal System

1. The Blend of Modern Strategies and Technology

The technology is the backbone of the modern performance appraisal system, it completely revamped the entire process making it more efficiency and effective. A technology infused performance appraisal system is built around a performance appraisal software or performance management software (PMS). From integration of AI (artificial intelligence) and smart analytical algorithms to advanced real-time data collection tools, businesses are embracing the power of technology to elevate performance appraisal process which ensures highest levels of efficiency and accuracy. The modern performance appraisal systems offer intuitive online platform where the both managers and employees can access to the relevant performance data in real-time enabling them to take actions, when and wherever needed.

These tools can greatly enhance the efficiency and eliminate the tedious paperwork from the process. Businesses can not only automate several administrative tasks but they can also get real-time updated data to understand various employee performance trends and deeper insight. This insight helps them identifying the area of improvements and taking timely actions to keep everyone on track towards achieving high-level organizational goals and objectives. Furthermore the modern performance appraisal system software are super-accessible, employees and managers both can access the system from online or even via their mobile phones. The self-assessment tools, advanced skill development modules and accurate KPIs can significantly improve the accuracy, efficiency and impact of the system.

The Blend of Modern Strategies and Technology

2. Shift towards Continuous Feedback and Focus on Employee Alignment

The traditional performance appraisal system lacks two major and most crucial factors, one is frequency of the feedbacks, in fact it only has once a year feedback and assessment system and the other most important aspect is the inefficient and ineffective approach towards employee alignment with their individual goals and in long term towards the high level organizational goals and objectives. The traditional annual reviews and feedbacks are prone to develop a gap and disconnect between the employees and the managers which results in delays in feedbacks and actions. Once a year feedback couldn’t course correct and align employees with their goals, however, the course correction and addressing to performance hindering issues is required in real-time.

The bloodline of performance management and main objective of appraisal process is to align individual employee’s goals with high-level organizational strategic objectives. The annual appraisal reviews and feedback lacks this connection which results in disengagement of employees from the high-level strategic goals and objectives. This requires intense communication and a strong bond between the managers and the employees. A modern performance management system promotes communication, continuous feedback and give ownership to employees boosting engagements and cultivating a culture of collaboration, communication and collective growth. The modern performance appraisal system ensures every employees clearly understand their goals, success parameters, and how their goals and work will contributes to the higher-level organizational goals and strategic objectives.

Shift towards Continuous Feedback and Focus on Employee Alignment

3. Shift from Fixing the Weakness towards Focusing on Strength and Development

The primary focus of the modern day performance appraisal system is not focusing only on the past performance but it also has to be a catalyst for the growth, development and improvements in the future. Now a day’s businesses are more focused on employee development and retention. This help businesses gradually grow their workforce and skillset to build strength which drive performance and efficiency. Another most important and impactful advantage of the resent day employee appraisal system is to give ownership to the employees and empower them to shape their development journey. This system gives employee power, resources, support and tools to build strength, identify their weaknesses and focus on learning and continuous development.

Businesses need to build and retain a skillful workforce that can improve operational efficiency and help businesses achieve their goals and drive long-term sustainable success. The managers can leverage the inbuilt advanced tools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the individual employees with contextual performance insights. This insight is crucial in further enhancing the employee’s skills to make them more productive and fruitful for the organization. This also help businesses and HR leaders to take informed investment decisions in development programs which help businesses build a resilient workforce which ensures high-quality products/services and satisfactory customer experience.

Shift from Fixing the Weakness towards Focusing on Strength and Development

4. Flexibility and Data-Driven Insights

In today’s modern market landscape businesses have to be very vigilant and proactive towards the rapid market changes emerging needs. This demand agile performance appraisal and data collection system which is flexible enough to enable businesses to make instant adjustments. This helps businesses align with the emerging needs and help them to be more responsive towards rapidly changing market trends. This is only possible when the business leaders and managers have highly accurate performance data and critical insights which help management identify trends, correlations and patterns which help making more accurate and informed strategic decision to improve the performance.

Furthermore the performance appraisal system is a software based solution which enable businesses to customize their performance management system to accommodate their unique business needs and to deal with unique challenges they face. The ability to customize the performance parameters, goals, KPIs, and even the entire framework help management proactively take actions to respond to the rapidly evolving trends, customer demands, and needs. This also prepare businesses to deal with unprecedented and unexpected situation while minimizing or eliminating the disruptions. Whether it is adjusting to the goals, assessment criteria, feedback and review process or integration of the new technologies, the inherent flexibility and customization of the performance appraisal system helps businesses deal with challenges with no or minimum disruption in progress.

5. Performance Beyond Numbers – Accountability with Transparency

Traditionally the performance appraisal was focused on KPIs and achievements, lacking contextual analysis and behavioral competencies. However, the modern performance appraisal system is measuring performance beyond numbers, and recognizing the importance of accountability with highest transparency. Businesses have realized that achieving goals is important but there are several other personality traits and qualities which also plays a crucial role in overall performance as well as fostering a high-performing and engaging organizational culture. Here are a few most important qualities:

Teamwork and Collaboration: Today’s work environment demand higher collaboration and teamwork in order to effectively achieve the strategic objectives.
Adoptability: Today’s market landscape is driven by technology and the technology evolves rapidly furthermore the customer demands and market trends are also subjected to change quickly, therefore it is crucial for an employee to be able to adopt to emerging changes.
Ethics and Responsibility: A modern day employees should have to be ethically strong and they should exhibit exceptional ability to take ownership, responsibility and initiatives. This will make them a valuable asset for the organization.
Creativity and Innovation: Businesses are always facing challenges either with emerging needs, or rapid advancement in the industry, therefore an employee with higher level of problem solving skills and a creative and innovative mindset to bring new ideas to the table.

The KPIs, OKRs, and the evaluation based on above qualities and other such qualities will help businesses and organizations to build a performance appraisal framework which can precisely evaluate the true potential and abilities of an employee.

The accountability and transparency is the soul of an employee performance appraisal system. This is also one of the biggest reason why business leaders and organizations are adopting to modern performance appraisal system and methodologies. The traditional performance appraisal system lacks transparency and is prone to biased evaluation furthermore the insufficient performance data also hinder the transparency and cause lack of trust on the system. The employees are more concerned about transparency, fair evaluation, clear evaluation criteria, performance expectations and clarity in goal and objectives. This is only possible with modern performance appraisal system, continuous feedback, 360 degree feedbacks, customizable performance dashboards, and various other advanced analytical and data collection tools to promote fair accountability and transparency in the system.

Performance Beyond Numbers – Accountability with Transparency

6. More Focus on Reward and Recognition

The employee motivation is one of the most crucial factor contributing to the entire performance of the organization. If the employees are rewarded for their performance and their achievements are adequately recognized and well-appreciated, they tend to perform better. A regular annual raise or bonuses are not enough, businesses are finding more creative ways to reward and recognize their employees such as:

Public Recognition: Public recognition is one of the best way adopted by modern organizations to appreciate their employees. When employees are appreciated publicly either in marketing, social media, newsletter or internal meetings, it will not only boost their morale but it will also result in inspiring and motivating others.
Development Opportunities: The learning and development opportunities are a great way to raise employee retention and to boost employee skills which eventually contributes to improving performance. Employees who doesn’t found enough learning and development opportunities they feel their growth is limited and are tend to leave the organization.
Fair Reward Process: Fairness in the reward process is crucial, the employee who is rewarded must know on what criteria he or she is rewarded and the other employees must also know what he or she did exceptionally which make them eligible for this particular reward. The fairness and transparency is crucial for keeping everyone’s morale high.

The fair and transparent reward and recognition program can greatly benefit both employees and the business by fostering a culture of appreciation and encouragement. Furthermore the modern employee performance appraisal system provides a systematic framework for communication which helps employees understanding their goals, business’s expectations, performance criteria and it is also very helpful in strengthening the relationship between the managers and employees which itself is a great way to increase employee engagements and boost the organizational performance.

Conclusion

Traditionally the employee performance appraisal process comes with a lot of paperwork, efforts, and some frustration as well. Furthermore the traditional performance appraisal system also fell short of meeting the modern need of performance management and the accuracy of the process is also questionable. Therefore businesses are now adopting to modern performance management and appraisal practices alongside software aided solutions. The modern performance appraisal system comes with a comprehensive software application which not only digitalize the process but also help automating it and offer many additional benefits which enable businesses to conduct more frequent evaluations, even project-based evaluation and bi-weekly assessments are also effectively done through it.

The modern performance appraisal system offer continuous feedback loop, communication framework, goals and objective setting facility, highly accurate KPIs monitoring tools, real-time performance data collection, personalized assessment methodologies, and specialized tools to focus on reward and recognition while boosting transparency, accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore the modern performance appraisal system also focus on higher employee alignment with organizational goals and strategic objectives. This helps businesses achieve their long-term goals and sustainable success.

Furthermore the modern performance appraisal system also focus on fostering highly collaborative organizational culture which not only boost communication but also help businesses keep employees more engaged and proactive. Businesses also want to achieve higher employee retention which is only possible when the organizations are able to identify the areas of improvements, employee problems, their needs and expectations. In this blog we have discussed how the future of performance appraisal will look like in the coming years. If you want to learn more about the subject or if you want our help to design and deploy a modern and customized employee performance appraisal system exclusively designed to meet your unique business need, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

May 2, 2024May 2, 2024

Leveraging Payment Kiosks for Effective Queue Management

In today’s modern world, everyone is busy, waiting in long and slow-moving queues could be very frustrating for your customers. In such circumstances the customer flow management could also become very challenging. Businesses always seek ways to improve their internal business processes as well as customer experience. The customer experience is the most crucial factor in a business’s success. Now a days an average customer is very tech savvy comparing to around a decade back, this led to rapid adoption of digital experience and the rise of self-service solutions. The self-service interactive kiosks are a great tool to effectively manage the higher influx while delivering a great digital experience.

The payment kiosks are also a type of self-service kiosk which are majorly used to enhance customer’s transactional experience. The interactive self-service payment kiosk is a computer terminal with specialized components and features which facilitate and improve transactional interactions. These kiosks run on a software application and are proven to be very effective in queue management system. These cutting edge kiosk machines are revolutionizing the way businesses are used to of conducting transactions and managing customer flow. In this blog we will discuss how a business can leverage payment kiosks for effective queue management and optimum operational efficiency.

Leveraging Payment Kiosks for Effective Queue Management

Payment Kiosk and Queue Management

An interactive self-service payment kiosk is essentially a computer terminal with special components added to facilitate the payment process. Usually a regular payment kiosk has cash deposit feature and it also accept credit/debit cards, however, coin acceptance, change return, digital payment, contactless payments, and payment via online gateway are also widely used in UAE. The payment kiosk offers a personalized and completely independent user experience. The self-service experience not only offer convenience to customers but also expedite the internal processes resulting in quicker service delivery time which enhances customer experience.

The queue management is a very sensitive subject for customer facing environments. Having customer wait for longer period of time could seriously harm their experience. There are two ways to integrate a self-service payment kiosk with a queue management system. Either you offer your customer a full service through the payment kiosk or you can offer them to sign-up for the queue and make a payment before arriving to service counter. In both cases the service time and quality is improved. Furthermore the payment kiosks are also a great tool to transform the customer service center. Due to flexibility and ability to customize the payment kiosk are equally effective in a wider spectrum of the industries.

Payment Kiosk Help Reducing the Customer Wait Time

Different industries have different needs, the interactive self-service payment kiosks can cater to a wider range of needs with their cutting-edge technological frameworks and customized features. Whether you deploy a payment kiosk in existing service centers or at remote locations, the payment kiosks tend to reduce the customer wait time. The customers are free to perform the tasks independently, the staff assistance is not required. Furthermore the customers can choose the language of their choice which where add value to customer experience also help expediting the service delivery. Businesses can redistribute the staff further improving the overall operational efficiency and minimizing the wait time.

The payment kiosk can also offer integrated queue management features such as allowing customers to sign-up for the virtual queues through the kiosk while taking payment to minimize the service delivery tasks. The digitalization and software integration also help improving internal business processes effectively reducing the customer wait time. The service agent dashboard are also integrated with the payment kiosk and queue management system which help service agents swiftly retrieve the customer data and information resulting in quicker service delivery and a happy customer experience.

Payment Kiosk Help Reducing the Customer Wait Time

Payment Kiosk Elevate Customer Experience

The payment is a crucial part of the service for that businesses either have separate counters or they collect payment separately via banks, this could be very time taking and could have various complications, however, with the payment kiosks the customers can make payment seamlessly, furthermore some businesses can also transform their services into self-service which can also be done through the same payment kiosk making the process quicker and less complicated. The intuitive multi-lingual UI (user interface) with on-screen instructions and guidance can greatly enhance customer experience.

The customers can not only make payments through payment kiosk but they can also perform several tasks such as updating their information, profile, or managing their subscriptions. Customers can conveniently pay bills, print slips and tickets or even they can scan and upload documents if needed. Furthermore the payment kiosk offer full freedom and control, empowering the customers. The customer service centers, offices and help centers operate within working hours, however, the payment kiosk can operate 24/7 giving more freedom to the customers.

Payment Kiosk Elevate Customer Experience

Payment Kiosk Collect Valuable Business Intelligence Data

For any modern day business the business intelligence data is crucial. It help businesses understand customer behavior and gives them a deeper understanding of the customer mind. The data is crucial for strategic decisions and also help businesses improve their long-term policies and goals. The payment kiosk comes with a management software application. This application is hosted on a server and it is often called payment kiosk machine server or payment kiosk machine management software. This software comes with advanced algorithms and smart technology which is capable of collecting statistical and analytical data from each and every touch point giving an unparalleled insight to customer interaction.

Businesses can utilize the in-built analytical tools and customized reporting to further refine the data and make it usable for decision making. The business intelligence data help businesses understand customer’s demands, expectations, pain points, market trends and it also help them gauge the efficiency of various processes. This insight coupled with direct customer feedback data could be a game changer for businesses. Businesses can greatly elevate customer experience and make their processes more efficient by making informed decisions.

Payment Kiosk Collect Valuable Business Intelligence Data

Payment Kiosk Offers Advanced Security

The payment kiosks are designed to adhere the highest standards of the safety and security, both digital and physical. If a self-service payment kiosk is deployed in an existing service center or any other indoor environment then the physical security is optimum, however, if these kiosks are deployed in remote locations or outdoors then the maximum physical security is required. As per the local regulations and industry standards a payment kiosk whether deployed indoor or outdoor must have certain security features such as anti-theft, anti-vandalism and protective frame/body. As for as the digital security is concerned these kiosks comes with advanced data encryption technology to prevent any data breach.

The self-service payment kiosks are built on advanced technologies, equipping it with data encryption, secure connection, and various protective measures against malicious actor or internet exploitation. The customer data is always authenticated and verified before letting them access the system. Furthermore Emirates ID scanner, Facial Recognition and CCTV Security systems are added to ensure highest levels of security and protection. This not only make the system secure but also help gaining customer trust. Any breach in security could lead to catastrophic impact on brand’s reputation that is why advanced security and protective measures are absolutely essential.

Payment Kiosk Offer Higher ROI

The self-service payment kiosks are easy to deploy and can easily integrate with the existing IT infrastructure. The initial cost could be high, but an ordinary payment kiosk can last for many years without requiring major maintenance or replacement of the parts, which make them very cost-effective. These kiosk machines are very reliable, they can work 24/7 without requiring much maintenance, only regular service and preventive maintenance is enough to ensure long term operation. Furthermore the self-service payment kiosks comes with highly advanced software, which can be upgraded and updated easily with very little cost, making them workable for another few years.

The less operational cost and ability to last long for many years make them highly cost-effective. A payment kiosk can help businesses reduce the amount of workforce required to operate their service center hence enabling them to redistribute the employees for better human resource management which also saves a lot of cost. Opening up new branches or regional offices is a very expensive process however, installing a self-service payment kiosk instead would cost you a fraction of that. All these traits makes them very cost-effective and enable payment kiosks to offer higher ROI in long-term.

Payment Kiosks are Easy to Integrate and Scale

Whenever a business is aiming to deploy a new IT solution the first thing that they should consider is its ability to integrate it with existing IT infrastructure and third-party system. Furthermore the scalability and upgradable structure ensures longevity and effectiveness of the system. The payment kiosks are built on commonly available technologies and software frameworks. This makes them ideal for integration and scalability. A payment kiosk usually have to be able to integrate with customer database, internal payment or accounts system, and central information center of the organization. This integration is usually done through secure APIs, which is the ideal way to let two software solutions interact with each other. Thi ability also help businesses incorporate innovative and creative features to enhance user experience.

As businesses grow their needs grow, as the market trend changes businesses require more features and this gives businesses a competitive advantage too. An interactive self-service payment kiosk offers easy upgrade even if you want to add more hardware features that can also be done. The UI of the kiosk can be customized easily, more features can be added with software customization and integration with other business tools and third-party software enable businesses to create more features within the system. This enable the payment kiosk to evolve alongside with emerging business needs and this ability keeps them relevant for many years adding value to their operational life which is a key to higher ROIs.

Payment Kiosks are Easy to Integrate and Scale

Conclusion

In today’s modern world where the customer satisfaction is a key to success and the importance of customer experience is paramount. Businesses find themselves often in very challenging situation managing their customer service centers. One of the biggest challenge is to streamline the customer flow while keeping the wait time at minimum. Because the customer wait time is one of the most crucial factor that can completely ruin customer experience. The queue management systems are often used to streamline customer flow, however, where businesses also require payment collection they traditional queue management system lags behind, the service delivery time is usually higher at the cash counters. Furthermore there are several unexpected scenarios which could hinder the customer flow and require immediate response from the management.

An interactive self-service payment kiosk is the ideal solution to deal with such situations, as it offers fully integrated queue management system which not only streamline customer flow but also offer them a self-service channel to improve their transactional experience. By offering independent self-service experience the payment kiosks not only empower customer but also help reducing the customer wait time. When the payment kiosks are deployed the workload of the staff is reduced too, enabling businesses to reallocate staff for better human resource management. The advanced data collection tools help businesses collecting valuable insights and business intelligence data which is vital for informed decisions.

The payment kiosks are also very flexible and can evolve alongside the emerging business needs which keeps them relevant for many years. Longer operational life, low maintenance requirements, and flexible scalability results in higher ROI. In this blog we have discussed how businesses can leverage the interactive self-service payment kiosk to elevate their queue management system. If you want to learn more or if you want us to develop a bespoke payment kiosk solution for your organization, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

May 1, 2024May 1, 2024

The Impact of Cloud Computing on Custom Software Development [Full Guide]

Imagine you are decorating your home, when it comes to your room, you bought a cabinet but when you brought it in, it wouldn’t fit your door! What would you do? Will you change the cabinet or break the door? The custom software development could also be similar to that, you reach half-way and realize you need more computing power, or storage, in case of traditional hosting, you have to buy the larger package, however, in case of cloud you can seamlessly increase your resources whether it is computing power, or the storage and you will only have to pay for the resources you want or utilize.

Let say you have acquired a shared hosting, now half-way through you require a VPS or VDS server specs, you will going to pay for the VDS usually it is in full and similar for the higher specs. In case of on-premises data centers, if you face such limitation, then you will have to increase the hardware capacity, which too is expensive and has certain challenges. Therefore the cloud computing is the ideal solution for custom software development. The custom software development is usually a lengthy process, sometimes businesses also add more features sometimes during the staging, and some time even after it become fully operational. In this blog we will discuss the positive impact of the cloud computing on custom software development its long-term impact.

The Impact of Cloud Computing on Custom Software Development [Full Guide]

What is Cloud Computing?

Technically the cloud computing is a system of delivering computing power, storage capacity, database, server, operating system, networks, application environments and analytical tools. The cloud computing is a modern form of hosting, it is just one step ahead of it. Unlike the traditional hosting services or on-premises data centers the cloud computing is much more flexible and is capable of delivering resources as per demand. For example, if your demand rises you can immediately increase whatever resource you want in order to ensure a smooth and seamless operation of your software application. Furthermore the cloud computing is much more supportive towards innovation, and it is very cost-effective which makes it ideal for the custom software development.

There are three very flexible cloud computing service models which are ideal for custom software development:

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service): The IaaS offers raw computing resources with full control over the virtual machine, storage and network enabling software developers to manage the control the operating system and application.
PaaS (Platform as a Service): The PaaS service model offers a fully managed platform where software developer can build, deploy, customize and scale software application without any worry about the infrastructure management.
SaaS (Software as a Service): The SaaS or software as a service offers fully managed software application to the end-users with enhanced scalability. Both software service provider and third-party software are offered through SaaS service model.

The Evolution of Custom Software Development

The custom software development have evolved tremendously, starting from micro applications, customized module to full-fledge organizational operating system, the custom software development have completely overshadowed the traditional commercial off-the-shelf software industry. The custom software development is popular due to the fact that it fully aligns with your unique business needs and offer much more freedom and control over the functionality of the application. This is what distinguishes them from traditional off-the-shelf application and make custom software much more reliable and effective. As the customized software application are developed from scratch, there is a lot of room to grow and expand, hence the resources required to run these apps also grow.

The traditional on-premises or hosting solutions are not agile enough, and have certain limitations, the cloud computing on the other hand offer the required flexibility, adoptability and scalability needed by the custom software apps. The custom software development is aimed to support the emerging needs of the organization as well. The custom software development can offer a great competitive advantage with its elevated adoptability, seamless integration, scalability and resilient towards emerging challenges. Traditionally businesses were relying on in-house IT infrastructure, however, that is not cost-effective neither it offers flexibility comparable to cloud. This is why businesses are now adopting cloud computing for their custom software development projects.

The Evolution of Custom Software Development

Cloud Computing Offers On-Demand Scalability and Unmatched Flexibility

One of the biggest challenge in custom software development is the resource management and scalability. Scaling up is the most crucial aspect of the business, if the IT infrastructure failed to offer the required scalability, the businesses will not be able to sustain operational efficiency. With on-premises database scaling up could be very challenging, adding more hardware devices or upgrading to the processors could be very expensive. Moreover managing the network, security, and other aspects is a very challenging and expensive feat. For example, if you faces a surge in users or need to increase computing power quickly, the cloud computing not only allow that but it automatically increase your resources when needed, ensuring a seamless and un-interrupted operation. The on-premises data center or traditional online hosting can also be expanded, however, it requires time and the cost too is high.

Furthermore the cloud offers another great feature which traditional hosting or on-premises data centers doesn’t offer, which is the ability to scale down instantly as it can scale up, it can be scaled down to minimize the cost. Furthermore the cloud is also one step ahead from traditional hosting solutions when it comes to the future proofing of your software applications. Let say if you upgrade your software application, to ensure highest performance and security, in order to implement the upgrades you must be requiring latest versions of the operating system and several other aspects of the IT infrastructure, each and every component will have its own cost and sometime would be very difficult to upgrade the environment. However, with the cloud, this can be achieved within a few minutes and with very less or literally no cost.

Cloud Computing Offers On-Demand Scalability and Unmatched Flexibility

Accelerated Development and Quick Launch

The cloud computing offer unmatched features such as scalable resources, access to pre-built services and APIs which accelerate the development cycle and help quickly launch the applications. These features help streamlining the development processes especially it helps with third-party system integration which enable businesses to quickly launch and market their applications. Furthermore the cloud computing also offer robust platform and development tools which are very helpful for the developers and help them boosting the development process.

Another remarkable feature of cloud computing is that it can provide centralized access to development resources. This enable development teams to collaborate with each other and prevent repetitive work which also accelerate the development process. The developers can work remotely and from separate geographical locations, which sharing codes, data, repositories and everything in real-time. By fostering a highly collaborative development environment the team can quickly and easily do the testing, implement the iterations, and manage the resources. Furthermore it is relatively easier and very quick to move to production environment form staging or UAT environment enabling quick launch.

Accelerated Development and Quick Launch

Enhanced Data Protection, Security and Backups

Unlike the common misconception, the cloud computing offers superior data protection, security and backup features. The cloud computing offers state-of-the-art security solutions with multi-layer protection and firewalls. Moreover the cloud computing also offers quick implementation of the advanced security protocols, encryption, advanced user authentication and access mechanisms and up-to-date protective measures. The adherence to advanced compliance standards ensure highest level of protection and security for the applications, users and the infrastructure. The cloud computing service providers have specialized and professional security teams and highly advanced security solutions which is usually not possible with the traditional hosting or on-premises solutions.

These advanced security features protect against data breach, moreover the cloud computing also offer advanced monitoring and threat detection tools which ensure highest level of security and data protection. Above all the cloud computing offers automatic updates of the resources, tools, and the environment which ensures your applications are running on the most secure and up-to-date infrastructure. Normally all cloud computing solutions comes with standard backup and recovery mechanisms, however, the cloud computing is very flexible towards backups and businesses can have multiple backup layers with advance CDN, and load balancing solutions which ensures your users always have a seamless and uninterrupted experience. The enhanced security, advanced data protection and data backup features can greatly enhance the efficiency and efficacy of your custom software applications.

Enhanced Data Protection, Security and Backups

Conclusion

The cloud computing has a profound and far-reaching impact over custom software development. The cutting-edge technology and advanced features of the cloud computing have completely revolutionized the custom software development and help businesses leveraging the full potential of the applications. The cloud computing not only offer superior resource management, scaling, security and monitoring tools, but it also help accelerating the development cycle and help businesses quickly and efficiently develop customized software applications.

The traditional hosting solutions and on-premises hosting often failed to meet the dynamic and diverse needs of the custom software development. Furthermore the on-premises IT infrastructure is expensive, difficult to manage and even more difficult to upgrade. The cloud computing on the other hand always offer up-to-date IT infrastructure with cutting-edge security, networking, and resource management tools. The cloud computing offers a very easy-to-scale infrastructure which can easily adopt to the emerging needs of your software application.

Whether you want to scale up to accommodate a rise in system users or whether you want to scale down to save the cost, the cloud computing offers that seamlessly. With the advanced cloud computing management and monitoring tools you can seamlessly scale up or scale down your resources as per your needs. Above all the cloud computing can automatically scale up your raw computing power and other resources if there is a surge in the users preventing your software applications from slowing down or cashing. This ensures a great uninterrupted and seamless user experience.

When it comes to security and data protection the cloud computing is superior to any other traditional hosting solution. It offers state-of-the art security tools with a multi-layer security protocol. Whether it is the networking tool, environment, server operating system or any other security tool you are using, the cloud computing automatically update all these tools and operating systems to ensure your custom software development project gets up-to-date security and robust performance.

The cloud computing also offers different service models and very flexible service plans which suits your needs and also help you easily customize your service plans if needed to optimize the cost. The upfront cost is also nominal comparing to on-premises data centers and businesses are free from managing the physical IT infrastructure further lowering their operational cost. In this blog we have discussed how the cloud computing is impacting the custom software development in a very positive way. If you want to learn more about the subject or if you want our help to migrate to any local or international cloud computing platform, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

April 22, 2024April 23, 2024

Security Challenges and Solutions in Payment Kiosk Systems

Businesses are always seeking ways to enhance customer experience to gain more customer loyalty. The customer loyalty provides a great foundation to build your success upon. In today’s hustling market landscape where the technology is dominating each and every aspect of businesses. And it is not limited to that, in fact the technology is deeply infused in our private and personal lives as well.

If you are living in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi or anywhere else in UAE, you would have seen these flashy screens everywhere attracting towards them. Whether it is a simple utility bill payment kiosk, a vending machine, or a ticket dispensing kiosk, these interactive self-service kiosks are everywhere. With the advancement of the technology and modern software tools, the interactive self-service kiosk have become more reliable, innovative and aligned with modern day’s business needs. The payment kiosk system have become much more sophisticated, high-tech and intuitive.

Security Challenges and Solutions in Payment Kiosk Systems

This led to a rapid adaptation of the payment kiosk systems across various industries, businesses of all types and sizes are automating their payment processes by leveraging the interactive payment kiosks. With several extraordinary advantages the payment kiosk systems comes with some security challenges as well.

These security challenges are crucial for business success, it is extremely important for businesses to understand the paramount importance of security and data protection for the customers. An average consumer in the country is very tech-savvy people put security concerns at top and it could be a single most influential differentiator when it comes to choosing a service provider. In this blog we will discuss the common and most crucial security challenges and their solution for payment kiosk systems.

With several extraordinary advantages the payment kiosk systems comes with some security challenges as well.

Payment Kiosk Systems: Common Security Challenges and Their Solutions

The payment kiosk systems are fundamentally built on a very advanced technology having multiple security layers at place to ensure a proactive and secure transaction. However, the payment kiosk systems are not immune to security risks. Here are a few most common threats and risks that any payment kiosk machine and system could face:

Unauthorized Access: This can be due to security breach at communication between the server and the kiosk, or it could be in form of tempered identity or compromised server/hosting.
Malware Infection: This is also another most common threat for IT solutions, cyber criminals usually try to inject a malicious program in kiosk using any exposed/accessible port or via internet.
Skimming Devices: This is another common threat, but fortunately it is not so common in UAE. The cyber criminals can install physical skimming devices to read user’s cards and data.
Insecure Network: This is usually common on wireless network. However this can be avoided by utilizing wired internet connection via concealed and protected cables.
Man-in-the-Middle Attack: This is another most common cyber threat, the cyber criminals can somehow gain access to the communication between the kiosk and the server to manipulate data.
Brute Force Attack: This is another online attack, the cyber criminals utilizes sophisticated algorithms to guess the password of the backend or admin panel of the payment kiosk system.
Software Vulnerabilities: The main software vulnerabilities include usage of outdated, unpatched software, operating system or outdated programing stacks.
Denial of Service Attack: The malicious actors try to flood the payment kiosk system with massive network traffic and request, try to make it unresponsive or completely crash it.

These are some of the most common challenges any payment kiosk system could face. Furthermore there are physical challenges too, which includes physical theft, vandalism and other such threats. Whenever a business plans to implement a payment kiosk system, these security challenges must be adhered in order to ensure a smooth and seamless operation. Once the trust of the customer is broken it is very hard to repair and businesses could lose their reputation.

Payment Kiosk Systems: Common Security Challenges and Their Solutions

Here are some simple and easy solutions to the most common security challenges:

Encryption and Tokenization

Whenever it comes to the security of any software solution the encryption plays a vital role. The payment kiosk systems are no exception at all. In your payment kiosk system all the communication between the interactive self-service payment kiosk and the backend software application should be encrypted using top-notch industry protocols such as SSL or TSL. Usually the payment kiosk machines are computer terminals running the UIs for the customers, accepting cash and facilitating POS credit/debit card based payments.

The data is stored at the central server and it is that server where the actual software application is hosted. This server is also linked with other internal systems and central information center. It is crucial to have a strong encryption protocols in place to secure the communication between the kiosk and the server. Implementing SSL and adopting to tokenization techniques could elevate the security and prevent majority of the online threats. The encryption and tokenization also keep the customer data secure and prevent unauthorized access.

Continuous Monitoring and Surveillance

Continuous Monitoring and surveillance can prevent a lot many security threats. The standard payment kiosk machines comes with in-built closed-circuit cameras or CCTV which monitors the kiosk 24/7. Furthermore additional cameras can be added around the kiosk to ensure coverage from multiple viewpoints could make the environment more secure. The advanced payment kiosk systems also comes with in-built facial recognition cameras which are a great value addition to the surveillance system.

Usually the payment kiosk machines are placed in indoors, most of the time the surrounding environment is already covered by the CCTV cameras and in some cases security is also present which is why most of the businesses doesn’t emphasize on in-built CCTV cameras. But even with manned or un-manned environment the in-built security cameras are crucial to level up the security and ensure ultimate protection. These CCTV cameras should be monitored regularly and the CCTV footage should be stored on remote server rather at in-built DVRs/NVRs. This will add an extra layer to the security system.

Software Level Security Features

Most of the businesses are not aware of the software vulnerabilities. It is extremely important to ensure all software level security layers are added to the payment kiosk system, otherwise it will remain vulnerable. The software level security starts from the payment kiosk system software development phase and it includes development process, implementation and going live along with regular maintenance. It is important to choose the software stack wisely. Avoid using unpatched or outdated platforms at any cost.

The outdated frameworks and software stack such as operating system, hosting services and even programing framework could seriously jeopardize the entire system. Use licensed and professional software stack, acquire a highly professional software development team to build your payment kiosk software, add encryption and follow DevSecOps to ensure ultimate software level security. The server where the software is hosted should also follow all industrial standards and top-notch security frameworks in place to ensure highest levels of software security.

Secure Server Hosting or Cloud

The payment kiosk system holds very sensitive and confidential data of both customers and business. Hence the data has to be stored on a highly secured server. Businesses often go with off-shore hosting service providers to optimize the cost. This is not the idea way to host a payment kiosk system. It is crucial that you have an on-shore hosting service provider, even if it is cloud or a dedicated server it should be on-shore.

Furthermore some businesses have in-house IT infrastructure and they host these servers in-house. In that case additional firewalls and networks security measures should be in place to ensure highest level of security. Here in UAE the Microsoft Azure cloud service is one of the best and it also offers on-shore hosting data centers. Which is ideal for such solutions. Even if you are hosting somewhere else or on-premises it is crucial that you follow Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and ensure compliance with local and industrial standards as well.

The hosting is one of the most crucial aspect of security for payment kiosk system hence it should be highly secure and protected. It will not only prevent most common cyber threats such as brute-force attacks, denial of service attack, phishing attacks, and many more.

Secure Authentication and Multi-factor Sign-in

Another one of the most crucial aspect of the security is the authentication and access to the system. There are two major user groups, one is your customers and the other is your employees, contractors or IT team. It is important that you put secure authentication and access control measure in place and also enable multi-factor sign-in process for both the customer and the employees. The customers can be asked to insert their Emirates ID for sign-in, and that is the most secure way to authenticate a user. In some cases if asking for customers Emirates ID is not possible, you can enable secure login process by two-factor authentication via SMS or email.

Furthermore for the employees it is crucial that your payment kiosk system software have additional security features in place, such as enabling multi-factor authentication and sing-in process, creating customized workflows and job roles with limited system and data access, and making complex passwords mandatory for the employees will make the system more secure and protected. All these features will help elevating the overall security of the entire system.

Secure Authentication and Multi-factor Sign-in

Physical Security Features

As much as the software and network security is important the physical security features are crucial too. Most of the time businesses undermine the importance of physical security features of a payment kiosk machine. Here are some important physical security features of a payment kiosk machine:

Reinforced Steel Frame: The reinforced steel frame is excellent at deterring the most common physical threats and vandalism. It protects the internals of the kiosk and prevent break-ins.
Secure Locking Mechanisms: Every kiosk has a maintenance access points and with payment kiosk the regular cash extraction is common, hence all such access points should be protected with a secure and digital locker system to prevent unauthorized access.
Secure Cash Authenticator: All payment kiosk system should have a secure cash authenticator which can authenticate every currency bill or coin inserted into the cash acceptor.
Anti-Temper Sensor and Alarm: The payment kiosk machine should be equipped with the anti-temper sensors and a highly audible alarm system to prevent anyone from physically tempering with the kiosk machine.
Remote Monitoring and Management: The payment kiosk system should have remote monitoring and management capabilities, alerting the administrators for any unwanted situation or trigger.
Anti-Glare and Vandalism Proof Screens: The payment kiosk must have anti-glare coating on the screen to ensure only customers facing the kiosk can read the screen. Furthermore vandalism proof protective glass can add value to the security.
Secure and Conceived Cable Management: All the cables, internal and external should be secured, properly ducted and concealed to prevent anyone from accessing them.
Emergency Power Backup: All payment kiosk system must have emergency power backup or in-built UPS system to prevent any harm during power outage or unplanned disruption.

In case you are implementing an outdoor payment kiosk machine, then it must have additional security features. The outdoor payment kiosk machines usually have more bulky frame, which provide additional security and on top of that they are mounted on a concrete platform which also make them more secure.

Conclusion

The payment kiosk system offers great many advantages but also comes with many security challenges as well. In order to maintain the integrity of the transaction and to ensure the customer trust, the payment kiosk system should offer highest possible levels of security. In this blog we have listed some common security challenges and threats along with several preventive measures and solutions. Businesses can add several layers of security to ensure the ultimate protection of the system.

The network security, software level security, physical security features and monitoring is a key to deliver a secure and seamless customer experience. Any security breach would not only undermine customer satisfaction but would also have huge toll on a business’s reputation. With proper planning and in-hand knowledge of common security threats businesses can make their payment kiosk secure without even adding much to the cost of the development.

In this blog we have listed the most common and crucial security threats and several preventive measures and solutions to deter those threats. If you want to learn more about the subject or if you want our help to design and develop a tailored payment kiosk system for your business, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

April 18, 2024April 18, 2024

Customizing Performance Management Systems for Diverse Workforces

In today’s dynamic market landscape where the competition is rising and the customer demands are rapidly changing, businesses need to leverage the full potential of whatever resources thay have in hand to gain competitive advantage and to achieve a steady growth. The UAE is a very diverse society, businesses operating in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other regions of the country knows that very well.

Hence hiring a diverse team is common, however, business leaders and HR often doesn’t realize that recruiting people from multiple cultural and technical background is not enough, in fact in order to leverage the full potential and all skills of their multi-cultural and diverse workforce, businesses must have to integrate this to the very core of their performance management process.

When the performance management process will be optimized to manage diverse workforces, everyone will feel valued. Employees who feel valued tend to perform well and it this also help reducing the employee turnover. Performance management is a systematic approach involving processes, strategies, and analysis which ensures every employee perform well, their progress is measured towards their goals and their goals are weigh as per their contribution in the high-level organizational goals and strategic objectives.

For that businesses use a digital performance management system which provides a comprehensive framework to streamline performance management processes. In this blog we will discuss how a customized performance management system can transform your performance management process for your diverse workforce.

Customizing Performance Management Systems for Diverse Workforces

Understanding the Digital Performance Management System

Before we discuss the importance of customizing a performance management system for diverse workforces, it is important to understand what is a modern digital performance management system? A modern day’s digital performance management system is a digital tool which provides a complete framework to ensure that employee’s performance is fully aligned with the organizational goals.

It also help unlocking the true potential of the workforce, and help forming cross-functional and high-performing teams which lead to operational excellence. The performance management system majorly includes planning, goals setting, performance monitoring, evaluations, development and acknowledgement process.

Here are the key components of a digital performance management system:

Goal Setting: Setting up clear and realistic goals for employees, teams and different business functions which are aligned with the high-level organizational goals and strategic objectives. Modern performance management systems often utilize SMART Goals framework.
Continuous Feedback: Cultivating a culture of continuous feedback where employees are evaluated periodically, given coaching, and their goals are aligned with organizational goals. This help identifying areas of improvement, setting up plans and acknowledging the achievements.
Periodic Evaluation: Annual reviews are not as that effective anymore. Modern performance management systems include periodic evaluation and assessment to measure employee progress towards pre-set goals and established performance benchmarks.
Aligning with Organizational Goals: One of the most crucial function of a digital performance management system is that it helps aligning the individual and teams’ goals with the high-level strategic goals and objectives of the organization to boost productivity.
Employee Engagements: A digital performance management system provides a systematic approach to integrate employees in important performance management tasks, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability and engagement.
Employee Development: Performance management system helps HR and manager to create and provide right opportunities to the employees to enhance their skills and to elevate their potential through regular training, coaching, and mentoring and technical development programs.
Recognition and Rewards: Recognizing high-performer and acknowledging their contribution by offering incentives, bonuses, promotions or other form of benefits. This will help raising their loyalty and it will also boost the morale of the entire team.
Performance Improvement: There should be a framework to improve the performance of those employees who failed to achieve their goals. The digital performance management system offers tools to setup and modify goals, take actions, set timelines for the improvements.
Statistical and Analytical Data Tools: The managers can utilize in-built data capturing and analytical tools to understand performance patterns, trends and identify the areas of improvement to make informed decisions.
Continuous Enhancement: A digital performance management system provides integrated tools which help businesses continuously evaluate their performance management strategy and make enhancements to ensure higher impact and efficiency.

A digital performance management system is a very powerful and effective strategic tool that can help businesses and organizations to continuously improve their performance, productivity and profitability by fostering a highly engaging organizational culture where employees feel connected, empowered and are provided with suitable opportunities to enhance their technical and behavioral competencies.

Understanding the Digital Performance Management System

How Businesses can customize the Performance Management System for Diverse Workforce?

Businesses in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and all around the UAE are facing bigger challenges with managing diverse workforce. When it comes to workforce diversity, there are several factors that should be considered, for example, here in UAE a large population of expats is living, the government itself is encouraging to diversify workforce to have an inclusive culture. People coming from different backgrounds, countries, cultures and ethnicities, furthermore we also have generational difference too.

The new workforce who belongs to Gen Z. is more tech savvy, have different customs and expectations, the people from Millennial and Generation X have different customs and expectations. When an organization is hiring they need different level to experience, qualifications, and in today’s modern world, the technology also plays a crucial role, hence an organization has to diversify their workforce, which is a great and very positive thing, it helps building strong and productive culture.

Why Customizing Performance Management System is Important?

A one-size-fits-all approach to performance management overlooked the unique strengths, challenges, and contribution made by an individual in a diverse workforce. Customizing performance management system will help businesses enhance their capabilities to collect and analyze contextual performance data with superior efficiency and efficacy. A performance management system that doesn’t include cultural factors tend to be ineffective or in some cases it could hinder and harm the performance of the organization.

Cultural and behavioral understanding help managers understand how their certain actions and feedback could be perceived by the employees. This will influence the way how employee interpret goals and objectives, and how they would interact in a team. Understanding all these factors is extremely important in order to ensure the employees remain fully aligned with the high-level strategic objectives while participating effectively in their team goals and also perform well for their individual goals.

Why Customizing Performance Management System is Important?

Before Customization Identifying Key Performance Metrics is Crucial

Before customizing the performance management system it is extremely important to identify the key performance metrics. These key performance metrics should be aligned with the high-level organizational goals and objectives to ensure the entire workforce will progress towards achieving them. This will also help you defining the success incorporating the performance criteria for productivity, performance, quality of work, customer satisfaction, leadership, coaching and training, and professional development.

When clear and easy-to-understand criteria are established it is relatively easier to communicate goals, expectations and feedback. With a diverse workforce the biggest challenge is always with communication and feedback, when clear KPIs are set, the goals and objectives are easier to communicate and understand. Furthermore when the employees are given tools for self-evaluation they can easily understand feedback and are able to evaluate and assess their performance against their goals.

Before Customization Identifying Key Performance Metrics is Crucial

Establishing Effective Communication Channels

The customization of a performance management system begins with establishing highly effective communication channels. Communication is a key to a successful implementation of a performance management system. The communication should be both understandable and quick. The organizations must build clear and easy-to-understand resources, guidelines and instructions which will help all groups of employee to understand the performance management system and evaluation processes along with the expectations of the performance management process. This will help connecting them and integrating them within the process.

Providing open, transparent and easy communication channels can greatly enhance communication and employee engagements. Every HR and business leader knows the importance of employee engagement, and the communication is a key to enhance engagements. This will help employee to take feedback, share their concerns openly, and it will help managers building trust which boost the impact of the performance management system in a diverse workforce.

Establishing Effective Communication Channels

Providing Continuous Feedback and Coaching to Build Trust

The diverse workforce doesn’t mean management difficulties, but it means there could be many complementary and unexplored sets of skills and strengths in every employee of the workforce. The HR and business leader have to explore those skills to leverage them to boost their employee’s potential. A digital performance management system typically offers continuous feedback and review framework which is essential for understanding the hidden strengths and also the areas of improvements.

This will help managers unlocking the true potential of the employees while discouraging stereotyping and any type of bias. A perfectly designed performance management system provides transparency and fairness which help gaining employee’s trust. When the differentiation of class, ethnicity, cultural background, and gender is neutralized, the employees feel more equal, important and valued. This raise their loyalty and encourage them to perform better.

Providing Continuous Feedback and Coaching to Build Trust

Culturally Sensitive Feedback and Communication Tone

Throughout the performance management processes there could be various interactions and reviews along with constant communication and feedback between the managers and the employees. It is extremely important to drive methods and way to include cultural sensitivity in all communications. A certain word or wording could be acceptable by one culture and could be disrespectful or considered blunt by another. Hence all feedbacks and communications are revamped to make them more culturally sensitive.

This also doesn’t mean that you should dilute your message, but it means conveying the right message in right tone which is both understandable and acceptable by the recipient. Businesses must have to train their HR and managers to enhance their cross-cultural competencies to ensure higher employee satisfactions. For example, in some cultures directness is appreciated and in some it is considered somewhat rudeness, hence a well-trained manager could ensure all employees are happy and satisfied while the message is conveyed effectively.

Culturally Sensitive Feedback and Communication Tone

Customized Performance Reviews and Contextual Data

Most of the performance management systems have a standard employee feedback reviews mechanisms, totally disregarding any aspect of cultural background, individual challenges, and contextual data. Flexibility is a key when you are customizing performance management system for a diverse workforce. A digital performance management system is exceptional at offering such flexibilities and customizations. It is also important to include employee feedback and consider it too.

Regular and continuous feedback is a great tool to establish a strong relationship with diverse workforce, this will give your employees a chance to share their opinion, concerns and feedback. Regular interactions also help building a productive and positive environment which boost morale and encourage employees to seek solutions of their challenges. Because with diverse workforce, every employee also comes with their set of roadblocks and challenges. A flexible performance management system can help dealing with all these aspects of performance management.

Customized Performance Reviews and Contextual Data

Conclusion

UAE is a country where diversity is celebrated on an unparalleled scale to any other nation, the large population of the country is based on expats coming from all around the world. In such a dynamic marketplace where any business could have employees coming from a lot many different ethnic and cultural background, the customization of the performance management system is not something that is trendy, but it is something that is an absolute necessity. A tailor-made performance management system designed to account for versatile backgrounds, cultures, religions, ethnicities and age groups could be a game changer for a business.

Businesses can unlock the true potential of their employees by embracing their uniqueness, exploring their unique sets of strengths and dealing with their exclusive problems and challenges. A performance management system customized for a diverse workforce ensures every employee feel empowered, valued and engaged within the process which led to higher performance and better communication between the managers and the employees.

In a multi-cultural UAE landscape businesses embrace diversity, it help fostering unique skills and a competent workforce. HR and business leaders always struggle with managing performance that is because of the lack of understanding and focus on diversity and managing a diverse workforce. A digital performance management system customized for your tailored business needs can greatly enhance productivity and operational efficiency which is a key to higher profitability and long term success.

In this blog we have discussed various crucial aspects of customizing performance management system for diverse workforces, if you want to learn more about the subject or if you want our help to implement a culturally sensitive digital performance management system for your diverse workforce, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.

April 16, 2024April 16, 2024

The Role of Performance Management in Employee Engagement

In a modern competitive market landscape it is crucial that a business fully leverage the true potential of its workforce. The HR is responsible for ensuring every employee is working at its full potential while being happy and satisfied with their work. The employee engagement is a crucial function because it can impact each and every aspect of the business such as operational efficiency, technical capabilities, product and service quality, customer experience, employee satisfaction, profitability, etc. A performance management system provides a comprehensive framework, which help businesses in performance management process and it can greatly increase employee engagements. The performance management systems are designed to align individual employee performance with the high-level organizational goals and strategic objectives.

The performance management system seamlessly integrates various processes such as performance evaluation, feedbacks, reviews, appraisals, goal setting, etc. The performance management system is a modern software based solution which offers various tools and features which aid in performance management tasks. The performance management system is equipped with advance data collection tools, analytical reporting tools, and various other features which can help in performance management activities. In this blog we will discuss the role of performance management in employee engagement.

The Role of Performance Management in Employee Engagement

What is Employee Engagements?

Employee engagement is not just a single measurable substance, it is an entire spectrum of emotions and feelings an employee could have towards their organization, individual job role, daily work, co-workers, or team. The employee engagement is absolutely essential for the success, here is why:

Passion: Enthusiastic and passionate employees tend to work harder, as their work is very important for them and these types of employees are always read to meet new challenges.
Dedication: The engaged employees are more dedicated towards their work and goals, they believe in organizational goals and understand the value of their contribution to it.
Higher Purpose: Engaged employees believe in higher purpose, they feel their job role and work has a higher purpose which contributes to something higher-than themselves.
Growth: The engaged employees tend to be more eager towards growth and development, they tend to outperform the poorly engaged employees and tend to be more productive and skillful.
Recognition: The recognition and acknowledgement are the key factors, when employees feel valued they become more energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated towards their work.

The business leaders and HR utilizes various methods and techniques to enhance employee performances. The performance management is one of the most widely used methods to increase employee engagement, productivity and efficiency. However, the traditional performance management methods are losing their impact, now a days, a modern software based performance management system is taking over. The modern performance management system provides a comprehensive framework coupled with modern performance management methods and practices. Businesses all around the UAE are adopting to modern performance management systems for higher employee engagements.

How Performance Management System Enhance Employee Engagements?

A modern day digital performance management system is a structured solution offering a comprehensive framework to implement modern and advanced performance management methods and strategies. The performance management system offers advanced monitoring and analytical tools, helping analyzing various aspects of individual and team performance. Furthermore the performance management system helps implementing policies to increase employee engagements and overall employee satisfaction.

A well-implemented performance management system can greatly increase employee engagements:

Goal Setting: The performance management system streamline goal setting process with in-built features for objective key results (OKRs), SMART goals, and customized KPIs. The performance management system also help communicating goals to individual employees.
Alignment: When the employee goals are clear and communicated effectively, they knows what is expected from them, this also help them understanding how their efforts align with the high-level strategic goals and objectives.
Advanced Feedback: The performance management system provides a systematic and structured approach to streamline communication and feedback, encouraging continuous feedback and more frequent interaction help boosting employee engagements.
Employee Development: The performance management system not only monitor employee performance but it also help identifying strengths and weaknesses of the employees, highlighting the development opportunities and boosting employee competencies.
Reward and Recognitions: Appraisals, rewards and acknowledgements are essential for boosting employee morale and when the employees are admired, valued and have a sense of importance they tend to be more engaged and perform well.

How Performance Management System Enhance Employee Engagements?

Furthermore the performance management system offers a variety of features and tools which can be very helpful for the management to keep employees more engaged and productive. Businesses can also customize these tools and digital features of the system to enhance its impact and adoptability. Here are a few more features that can be integrated in a performance management system to boost employee engagements and satisfaction:

Regular Feedback: A performance management system can help implementing a more frequent, regular, and continuous and even real-time feedbacks. The feedback is crucial in engaging the employees, it also keeps them motivated and help management course correct.
Customized Software: The modern performance management system relies on a software application, the performance management system software should be customized as per unique business needs to amplify its impact and to boost employee engagements.
Collaborative Culture: The performance management system can provide essential tools and features to enhance collaboration, communication and peer-to-peer feedbacks. Streamlined communication and peer recognitions help engaging and employees.
Mentorship Program: The mentorship program can greatly increase employee engagements. Managers and senior employees can be appointed as mentors to guide and coach the new or inexperienced employees and help boosting collaborations.
Training Program: When businesses invest in employees they tend to become more motivated and perform well. Personalized training programs, workshops, and learning opportunities can help boosting employee morale and increase their engagements.

With the advanced features of a performance management system businesses can conveniently foster a culture of highly engaged employees. Engaged employees tend to be more active, innovative, creative and confident. Employee engagements are crucial for higher performance and high-performing employees are crucial for long-term sustainable success.

The Performance Management System Offers a Variety Of Features and Tools

Conclusion

Employee engagement is a powerful catalyst to boosting the entire organization’s performance, productivity and profitability. A modern performance management system is not just an appraisal tool used to evaluate the employees, but it is a highly structured and systematic approach to elevate the entire organizational culture. A digital performance management system comes with a customizable software application that can greatly enhance the impact of performance management.

The performance management system empowers employees, encourage communications, and provides a structured approach for regular and continuous feedback fostering a highly collaborative and connected organizational culture boosting employee engagements. In this blog we have discussed the role of performance management in employee engagement. If you want to learn more about the subject or if you want to our help to design and implement a bespoke performance management system for your organization, please feel free to contact us through our Contact Us page or leave a comment in the comment box below and we will get in touch with you soon.