Month: June 2021

Development

4 Reasons Why You Should Adopt Microservices Architecture for Faster Development?

Introduction:

Microservices architecture is the very resource to get a perfect architect for consistent delivery. Microservices are the method of developing software applications that are created with independently deployed services. Each of the microservice works with a different procedure followed by communication with a ground-breaking yet lightweight mechanism.

Businesses are frequently looking forward to working with services oriented architecture. Speaking of microservices, let us talk about how it is beneficial to you in different ways.

So, here you go.

4 Reasons why should you adopt microservices architecture for faster development?

1. Improved Productivity With The Services Oriented Architecture

Breaking down an application into smaller autonomous fragments enables it to run easier and faster. Each service can be deployed, developed, and managed in an equal manner. Also, you can make use of different technologies, different programming languages, and different software development environments based on the requirements of each of the services.

As the module element codebase is reduced from an application, it makes releasing, deploying, scaling, and testing different services pretty reasonable and achievable. Moreover, you can bifurcate associated tasks into the team of developers to get it all done simultaneously.

2. Get Better Scalability With Microservices Frameworks Architecture

As we have mentioned earlier, each service can be written in a different language, this allows DevOps teams to go for the most popular and workable module without having to think about the incompatibility later.

We can add new components to the individual services without any need for downtime and redeployment of the whole system. They can also be scaled independently.

Moreover, these services can also be availed in the other different servers that decreases the impact of the performance of more demanding components.

 Having said that, Netflix is a quintessential example of using microservices architecture to get over scaling issues and challenges. Back then in 2008, Netflix experienced a three-day failure of the services due to rapidly increasing demands on its servers. After coming across this plight, Netflix decided to refactor its monolithic application into a horizontally scalable, distributed system of microservices frameworks architecture running on Amazon AWS cloud servers.

3.  Get better data security and compliance with the microservices architecture

Services Oriented Architecture carries and protects all the sensitive and confidential data inside it. However, when developers do generate data connections between the microservices architecture, securing confidential data becomes a major concern. Although, it is good to learn that most of the developers use secure APIs to connect the microservices architecture.

A secure API shields the data it processes by ensuring it is only accessible to specifically authorized applications, servers, and users.

If your microservices architecture manages sensitive health, financial updates, or some other kind of data, safe and secured APIs allow developers to control the data that is accessible.

4. Greater business agility with services oriented architecture

You can experiment with new features (that could or could not be fruitful for your business) if you are working with service oriented architecture. Moreover, if you are trying out the new and fresh features and rolling back the changes, by any chance if it does not work out, organizations have substantial agility to give response to new business demands.

Besides that, microservices architecture also supports the DevOps mindset. As businesses are able to rapidly develop and use new features, users are bound to receive feedback with prompt action.

10 Best Practices for Building a Microservices Architecture

  1. Determine if the microservices architecture is a good fit based on your requirements.
  2. Get everyone on board with the idea.
  3. Build teams around microservices.
  4. Differentiate your microservices from your business functions and services.
  5. Design your services to be loosely coupled, have high cohesion, and cover a single bounded context.
  6. Use APIs and events to communicate between services.
  7. Consider security vulnerabilities within a microservice architecture.
  8. Have a separate version control strategy for each service.
  9. Development environments should be consistent across machines.
  10. Have different databases or data stores for each microservice.

What are your thoughts?

So here is what you have learnt about Microservices Architecture so far, what you have thought about this ball of scalability and evolution? Services Oriented Architecture has been in place for a long period with businesses consistently adopting the same. If you are in the same frame of mind, you are in the right frame of mind! Moreover, being one of the top Java development companies, you must take a special not on microservices architecture frameworks to get the rapid business development.

Insights

Rwazi Unlocks Africa’s Business Potential With a Network of Mappers

Since the African continent is home to more than 1.1 billion people, it has the potential to account for one-fifth of the world’s population by 2025. As a result, many businesses and investors have become aware of Africa’s consumer market potential. Despite this potential, many obstacles can make companies hesitate to enter the market. Even so, there are quite a few multinational companies that have managed to capture the opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer markets. 

One of the main reasons for this potential is that a big part of the African population is young, urban, and connected. Currently, the working population in Africa is growing at 2.7 percent each year. At this rate, nearly two-thirds of the estimated 300 million African households will have some discretionary income by 2025. Additionally, a big part of African’s consumer market is filled with the younger generation who are aged between 16 and 34 years old. These people are willing to spend and tend to be more eager to try new products.

The two trends driving this rapid growth are urbanization and the rise of mobile communications. The continent already has many cities with more than 1 million inhabitants; this means that many companies can secure distribution in Africa’s fast-growing cities due to the concentration of consumers. Moreover, mobile technology is completely changing the game. In fact, by the end of 2014, mobile penetration in Africa was estimated at 89 percent and continued to proliferate and enable money transfers and microfinance transactions. 

However, just as the potential of the African has become widely acknowledged, so have the obstacles of potential business endeavors. Some of these include political instability and conflict, poor infrastructure, language barriers, differences in consumer behavior, a fragmented retail market, and low data availability and quality. Wars and authoritarian governments continue to affect businesses as well as policies in many countries. According to the world freedom index that measures political and civil liberties, of the 54 countries in the African continent, only 10 are considered free, 22 are partially free, and 22 are not. Second, many African cities currently have modern road systems. However, only one-third of the population lives within 2 kilometers of a paved road that is stable year-round. Furthermore, travel within the continent is quite expensive and challenging.

Along with that, a high percentage of the population has no access to electricity. These problems do not just constrain consumer demand but supply as well. While linguistic diversity is excellent, it can get complicated when companies need to deliver their marketing messages in multiple languages to communicate effectively with African consumers. Another factor that could be an obstacle is that Africans in different countries make purchase decisions differently. For example, research has shown that while most Angolans look at ads and compare stores to get the best prices, only about 27 percent of Kenyans do the same.

Opinions about brands differ by country and region as well and the continent has a fragmented retail market. For example, most consumers will buy their groceries primarily from the neighborhood or independently owned convenience stores. On the other hand, few consumers will go to supermarkets for these items. Finally, except for the largest cities, there has been a disparity in economic data and market research. As a result, companies which look at existing data and extrapolate it to a national and regional level get inaccurate insights.

Regardless of some serious challenges, many companies have made the African continent a part of their success story. The reason that consumer companies like Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Unilever have succeeded in Africa is four-fold; they took a granular view of growth, tailored their offers to local needs and preferences, created a route-to-market model based on geography and channel, and built a large well-equipped sales force.

According to research, the most successful companies on the continent have been selective about the markets they want to enter. Rather than building a presence across entire countries, they opt to target the fastest-growing cities and city clusters where per capita income and spending exceeds the national average. Moreover, companies need to understand each target audience’s local needs and preferences to drive mass adoption of their products or services. As mentioned previously, it is not just about local product preferences but also local buying behaviors. Once companies have prioritized the highest-growth cities and have defined a portfolio of products for them, the next step is to ensure that the products are available for sale in those cities. To do so, successful companies tend to develop route-to-market models that primarily focus on the most attractive channels. 

Rwazi is a data services company that is dedicated to helping businesses around the world collect and analyze on-ground data from African countries. They provide organizations with new on-ground data on products, services, and activities from the African continent by utilizing a network of mappers and data collectors spread across urban and rural areas in Africa. While the company is based in Mauritius, Rwazi serves customers across the globe in different industries, including healthcare, consumer goods, automotive, education, finance, agriculture, energy, transport, and media.

The team behind Rwazi understands that organizations need near real-time, on-ground data to make effective decisions on activities such as expansion, investments, distribution, new product/service offerings, and reach target beneficiaries. For this reason, they’ve developed a network of 5,000+ mappers are spread across cities, municipalities, towns, and villages in 40 African countries. This network is expected to reach 50,000+ mappers by the end of the year.

Customers can utilize the Rwazi network to gain data from target areas and personas. Given the travel limitations that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, organizations can execute on-ground activities even in the regions that are difficult to reach. 

Currently, Rwazi is the first and only company in the world with a large and growing network of mappers spread all over sub-Saharan Africa. They want to help organizations get the data they need to make informed decisions, in addition to helping millions of young people in Africa who need more opportunities to earn an income. 

For more information about Rwazi’s data services and their platform, check out their social media platforms. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RwaziLtd/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rwaziltd/?hl=en 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rwazi 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rwaziltd?lang=en  

Insights

ICU Designs Launches Indiegogo Campaign for New Mirrored Cell Phone Case

In the current digital dynamic where everyone and their pets wants to become a social media influencer, the main thing that sets successful influencers apart from the rest is high-quality content. Those who are active on Instagram know that a lot has changed since the early years when it was a lot easier to grow a following, even with low-quality images and sporadic posting. Nowadays, high-quality content and consistency are essential if anyone is trying to grow their brand on the platform.

ICU Designs has created a new cell phone case with a built-in, high-quality, scratch-resistant mirror and an adjustable two-tone light diffuser that can be used in any lighting situation. With the two-tone diffuser, you can set the lighting to your comfort level using the built-in light from your cell phone. The translucent and opaque diffuser mechanism is ideal for both day and night needs. The diffuser mechanism prevents the light from being intrusive to others around you while you are using the light feature from your phone in low-light settings.

Made out of high-quality, robust, and durable thermoplastic polyurethane and polycarbonate, the ICU cellphone case has all the features listed above, along with bumpers on all four corners to protect against any accidents and drops. The case is also compatible with 5G, 4G, all other standard networks, and all wireless charging devices.

Initially created out of the need for a mirror when going to job interviews and auditions, the phone case also provides the perfect lighting for people who want to take that flawless photo. With ICU Designs, you can waste less time snapping one shot after another, only to delete them all because you had something in your teeth, or your hair wasn’t lying just the way you like it. This cellphone case helps you see yourself clearly in any lighting situation so that you can be confident that you look your best when you snap that picture. Whether you’re in the night club, a dark restaurant, an Uber or the theatre, you can be sure that you look picture-ready. When you’re already happy with the way you look, you’ll have less editing to do on the photos you take.

Along with creating great lighting opportunities, the scratch-resistant mirror helps you apply makeup, check for food in your teeth, or check your general appearance, keeping you prepared for any situation that may arise throughout your day. In a highly competitive business world making an excellent first impression is key to landing a new job opportunity or a new project. ICU Designs hopes to provide its users with a product that is multi-functional and easy to use.

Several apps already offer a lighting system to help users take the perfect photo. ICU Designs complements these apps by offering something slightly different. With this mirror, users can check their appearance in any lighting situation prior to taking the perfect photo. The cellphone case will be launching on Indiegogo on June 28th. ICU Designs will be done with production of their cellphone case by late August for both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12, after which they will ship it by air to Los Angeles. Once the product has been received, the company will ship out orders to their Indiegogo supporters. All orders for the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 case will be fulfilled between late September and early October.

To fully understand the need for their cell phone case, ICU Designs also created prototypes to distribute to their community to see whether their product fits the needs and wants of their target consumer. The initial distribution process proved to be a success among different industries, from real estate to film and TV. Users have stated that since they are constantly on the go in addition to meeting clients and many influential people, the ICU Designs mirror and diffuser mechanism was a discreet way to make sure that they were looking their best in any situation, go on with their day with confidence, and make a great impression no matter what time of day.

The ICU Designs cellphone case is more than just an accessory to protect your phone. It is also an accessory to the user because it complements existing apps and lighting mechanisms to help you look your best whether you’re stepping into an interview or you want to take the perfect photo.

With decades of experience in the customer service and sales industry, husband and wife duo Antonio and Morgan Cullari has made their product easy for anyone of any age to use. After all, we are all a little vain. With their mirrored cellphone case, ICU Designs hopes to give people an easier way to make sure they look great and have the best lighting to take that perfect photo.

While apps and other photography tools will never be rendered obsolete, a cellphone case which helps you take the perfect photo in addition to protecting your phone can be useful for anyone. What’s more, you can now get this multi-functional phone case at an affordable price.

For more information about their cell phone case and their upcoming Indiegogo campaign, people can check out their website and social media channels for updates and additional information.  For more information about this cellphone case and the upcoming Indiegogo campaign, you can check out their website and social media channels below:

Customer trust
SEO

Top 7 Ways SEO Can Help Businesses Grow in 2021

Search Engine Optimization and Local listing activity have proved to be some of the most prominent ways to help your business build a brand identity. Media Search Group – A renowned SEO company India, believes 93% of Internet experiences start with a search engine. So, what happens when someone searches? 

Google’s top search results have a 33% chance of clicking. That means if you’re not number one on the page, you’ve squandered a third of potential visitors. What is even more surprising is that 75% of people do not even click on the second page of the search results.

SEO is one of the crucial elements in reaching more people when you have your business online. If you apply proper SEO strategies, you have the chance of reaching more people online than any traditional advertising. 

Can a professional SEO person help?

Any SEO company India will help you with SEO strategies that will get your business the traffic that matters. The SEO packages of these companies are also affordable for a small business, who is starting and planning to reach a substantial amount of customers. 

Top 7 Ways SEO Can Help Businesses Grow in 2021

Any SEO company India you approach will tell you about these seven tips on how you can help your business to grow in 2021: a. Core Web Vitals: Along with all other existing factors, Google recently added three new metrics to determine user experience. Known as Core Web Vitals, these new metrics will consider the loading speed, interactivity, and how stable your visual is while the screen loads. So now, your page will rank higher among many businesses similar to yours if you have good Core web Vitals. 

According to a study, 40% of visitors exit the page if the loading takes longer than three seconds. What is even more surprising is that 80% of these visitors will never return to the website. This isn’t good for your SEO ranking because it reduces traffic to your site.b. Keywords: Any SEO package you choose will have keywords research and implementation as one of the impartial parts of it. The right amount of keywords that perfectly describe your business in the right places will make your business reach thousands in no time.c. Metadata: Metadata is a crucial part of SEO strategy as it is the paragraph that appears on top when you search a topic. Well-written meta data with the right keywords will coax the audience to open your websites’ link and help your business grow.d. Back-links: When you create unique and engaging content, there is a high chance that other writers will include links to your content on their blogs and articles. Organic link-building helps a business grow exponentially when they use your content’s link in trusted websites.

Experts Tip – To fix any problem, 68% of customers would rather watch an explanatory video. The content of your website should be more than just words on a page. Photos are excellent, but there’s more you can do to increase your SEO rating.Consider adding other multimedia features such as movies, slideshows, or audio to your website. All of this can contribute to an overall better user experience.e. User experience: Improvement in user experience (UX) like fast data loading, user-friendly website, easier navigation, high-quality images makes your business grow faster. No one wants to keep visiting your website that they don’t find easy to use. f. Mobile-friendly: Make your business site user-friendly. More than half of the internet users prefer to surf the internet on mobile devices. When you make your website mobile and tablet-friendly, the visitors will navigate through it easily, and the site will have better speed.g. Featured snippets: Another one of the SEO strategies that work best for any business is featured snippets. A highlighted answer box appears on top of the google search page when you query something. Featured snippets raise your brand awareness, make potential customers click on your website. 

Takeaway

When you don’t know what you’re doing with SEO, organizations like Media Search Group, well known for being the best SEO company in India, can help you. Experts will assist your brand in reaching more customers and growing your business in 2021 with affordable SEO packages.

Products

How to Choose the Right Field Service Management Software

Field service management is the key for all those enterprises that exceed the size of a single in-field team led by an entrepreneur themselves. 

With the right tool, it’s a lot easier to manage all your teams in the form of field service management software (FSM)

This way, you get to reduce costs, increase efficiency and make sure that all your teams fulfill their duty.

How to find the best solution?

In order to do this efficiently, you need to pick the right FSM software. There are two ways to do so. The first one is relatively simple, just go to the list of top field service management tools and pick one from the very top of the list. 

Second, you can also try reading some reviews; just keep in mind that you need to have a point of reference to understand them. Any offer can sound either impressive or underwhelming, depending on whether you have something to compare it to.

To help you figure out what you’re looking for, as well as whether the tool in question has what you’re looking for, you need to understand what makes a good FSM tool. Here are several essential factors for FSM evaluation and comparison.

Handling Business Operations

In order to provide you with the necessary assistance, field software needs to be able to handle relevant business operation services. The most common ones are:

● Contract management

● Work order management

● Scheduling and dispatch

Aside from this, FSMs need to be able to handle budgeting issues, as well as customer service issues like estimates and quotes. Those tools that can handle all of these tasks can provide your organization with a scalable end-to-end system that you can really come to rely on. 

While you may not feel like some of these things are a priority at the moment (you can still do it all manually), as your business grows, this might be harder and harder to manage.

Consulting Your Field Technicians

The very point of the field services system is the fact that it is supposed to manage a larger organization. In other words, making a decision on your own, without consulting anyone else on the subject matter, is never a good idea. 

Instead, you should consult your field service technicians and ask them for their opinion. You can even put this decision up to a vote. For those who still feel like they should be the ones spearheading such a pivotal decision, you can always narrow it down to two or three choices and let your teams vote it out.

Available on All Devices

Nowadays, people use all sorts of devices for work. This is why you need to ensure that any tool you pick (not just FSM) is supported on all devices. 

First, check which operating systems it supports. Ideally, you’re looking for Windows, Android, and iOS

Second, if your employees use their personal devices for work (which is highly likely), you might also have to introduce a BYOD (bring your own device) policy. This is a basic step of precaution that you need to take to ensure the security of your data.

Future-proofing Your Business

As it seems, the business world is currently moving towards AI integration at a rapid pace. Going for FSM software will make this integration even easier, seeing as how these automated processes will be more reliable and take even fewer resources. 

Through machine learning and deep learning processes, the concept of managing, scheduling, and coordinating teams in the field might make your business’s overall logistical structure even more dependable. The concept of machine learning has a chance to revolutionize the world of tech that we know today.

Documentation and Records Keeping

The next issue you need to take into consideration is the importance of keeping records and documenting every single one of these processes. This is important for several reasons like:

● Legal reasons

● Statistics and analytics

● Diagnostics

Even if everything is done right, you still might want to do a bit of analytical work afterward. If not, you may need to determine who the culprits are or where things went wrong. This way, you can improve your operational model and prevent these events from occurring in the future.

Supporting Hardware

When budgeting for your new FSM software, it’s essential that you understand that your expenses don’t end with purchasing the software licenses. 

You also need the hardware capable of running it. This includes a sufficient number of terminals in your employ, either provided by you or through your BYOD model (accompanied with a suitable policy). 

Some tools are so advanced that they’ll require specific minimum system requirements of your hardware. Keep this in mind before committing to a specific hardware purchase.

FSM Software Alternatives

Keep in mind that while an FSM is a great solution for many businesses, there are some alternatives depending on your current status or industry. For instance, you can go for fleet management software instead if you’re running a delivery chain. 

In reality, however, FSM can be quite helpful with fleet management, as well. A CMS (content management system) can be more efficient for businesses mostly working in the digital environment. 

In other words, it all depends on whether you need a holistic end-to-end system that covers a broad field of services or if you actually need a specialized tool.

Keep the Training Process in Mind

The FMS tool is software, and, like any other platform, it’s usually evaluated based on its intuitivenesstarget audience (beginner, intermediate, expert, etc.), and its UI. What you need to do is identify your key pilot users and know exactly who is going to spend the most time handling these tools. 

Then, you need to adjust your decision-making and choose the tool based on your own personal aptitudes. Bear in mind that this is fairly subjective and incredibly hard to do. Still, it is something to weigh in if you want to ensure that you’re making the right call.

Free Plan or Trial Period

Another great thing to look out for is whether the platform has a free plan or a trial period. This would provide you with a unique opportunity to either test or learn how to use FSM before you commit to it. 

Remember, once you make a decision, it is by no means final but switching to a different platform is not just an issue of a cost – you also lose precious time. You also make your team have to adjust to a new system, just as they’ve mastered the old one. 

All in all, having a chance to try it out for free (even though not a deal-breaker) is a great thing.

In Conclusion

Now that you are (at least partially) aware of all the fields in which FSM needs to excel to be a great asset for your enterprise, you can efficiently make an FSM comparison.

Look for the features they offer, compare costs of various tools, and, most importantly, make sure to base your decisions on customer reviews, as well. 

Only then will your decision be data-based and objective. Still, like with any other business tool, there’s nothing wrong with adding personal preference into your decision-making process.

Sitecore
Insights

What All You Need To Know About Sitecore Support Service

There are many content management systems out there in the market that help in easy content management. However, in this article, we will discuss one of the most reliable content management systems that help in easy integration with other platforms. Moreover, it offers the necessary characteristics for your project to be successful. Read the article out to know about the Sitecore content management system in detail and how it can meet your business goals with a Sitecore Content Management System consultant.

Why You Should Choose a Sitecore Content Management for Your Business

There is no doubt about the hundreds of options you will have while choosing a content management system in the market. However, Sitecore Content Management offers some unique features that allow e-commerce business owners to provide products and services to them. Moreover, the combination of quality content and comprehensive user data to deliver outstanding results to the marketers make Sitecore Content Management one of the best for e-commerce business owners. The flexibility of the system offers IT professionals to collaborate and integrate the project across the channel. All this makes troubleshooting and website update several times easier as compared to other content management systems.

Some Additional Benefits of Using Sitecore Content Management

The previous section has discussed why Sitecore supports Content Management as one of the best for e-commerce marketers. Read the passage to know about the additional benefits of using Sitecore CMS. It offers dozens of services to users and business owners of all sizes. One of the essential elements is keeping an eye on the customers’ behavior, as this helps marketers develop an effective content strategy to target the right customer. Check out some of the essential features of using the CMS below.

Web content management: The content management system offers multilingual content and functions at a global level.

Customer Insights: The content management system offers the marketers a holistic view of the customers with the help of an experienced database

Digital Analytics: Apart from the user profiles, the CMS platform offers contextual insights by determining the trends in the user behavior

Experience Accelerator: the experience accelerator feature in the Sitecore CMS offers a faster flow of project using the content team

All these features of Sitecore Content Management help the marketers to get a robust understanding of the customer. Moreover, as a business owner, you will also know how you can use the information for your marketing campaign.

Why You Should Hire a Sitecore CMS Consultant

If you do not know about content management systems, then the best option is to hire a CMS consultant as their collaboration with clients will help you focus on a comprehensive site. Moreover, their proven and structured methodology will help you to reach business goals with the CMS. The consultant will take time to evaluate your goals and select a web technology solution based on your model.

The technical Sitecore premium support that you will be provided based on your discovery model requires feature support and potential restrictions. If required, the Sitecore Content Management consultant might go for custom development of your website. Moreover, you must look up to the budget requirements and carefully determine the cost and advantages of the technology solutions scalability. All this will help your project to fit perfectly and make your business thrive in no time.

Knowing About Sitecore Content Management Professional and Success Services

If you want your website to perform at the top level and keep track of it, Sitecore Content Management professional and success services are worth going on. A couple of services aims towards your implementation’s success and assures that the user gets a message on time.

Sitecore Maintenance Support of Your Website Using Site Content Management

One of the most important things of a Sitecore Content Management professional and success services consultant is to assure comprehensive maintenance to their clients. While opting for CMS service, you must ensure that the CMS consultant can significantly simplify your site’s Sitecore maintenance and support. There should be no hindrance in publishing content on your website. If the system is integrated correctly, it will enhance usability and customer loyalty. Moreover, displaying organized content will help in attracting potential customers to your business.

Business requires two types of content management integration: web content management integration and enterprise content management solution. However, Sitecore integration services can cater to all needs. The consultants adhere to the practices followed over the years. Moreover, the CMS integration services focus on the workflow, user behavior as well as taxonomy. The consultant also emphasizes efficiency, scalability, and proper design to assure the user with the best Sitecore support 24/7 Content Management solution support. Choosing the right Sitecore support service is not at all easy; make sure to perform your thorough research before going with any consultant.

Products

Keyboard Paradigm: What is the Difference Between a Synthesizer, a Keyboard, and a Controller and Which One is Right for You?

In this pandemic, many people try a lot of gigs and explore new things to make them feel alive even inside their home. Some discovered their talent and unlocked their hidden skills. For enthusiastic music lovers out there, trying to learn a musical instrument can save you from wasting your time. This is a great way to show your friends and family the new incredible skill you learned. If you like to play musical instruments with just your fingers and create a melodic theater vibe in your home or make your party even cooler with some amazing DJ skills, then you’ve come to the right place. And if you’re unsure about the differences between a keyboard, a synthesizer, and a controller, then let us break it down for you: 

Musical Keyboard

For beginners, it is not the Keyboard you use on computers! The word Keyboard is also used to describe a musical instrument used to create sounds by pressing buttons. Most of them are portable and have the bass sound at the left-side and treble at the right-side keys. If you are thinking about a piano, you are right! Electronic keyboard instruments like pianos are related to keyboards. The main difference between pianos and keyboards is their keys. The former has lighter buttons and easier to manage. 

It is best to use it by beginners such as young children who need to be familiar with this instrument. Also, it will enhance their finger strength to be able to play other instruments with ease. 

Controller

This type of Keyboard requires an external source with recorded data of designated sounds to create music. It can only “control” the sounds if plugged into a device that contains the documented data. It looks like a piano and sends MIDI data to your external software.

Synthesizer

It is a type of Keyboard that is considered an electrophone. It is the modern Keyboard since it makes sounds by digital chips via algorithms. Digital synthesizers are great if you want to be techy and if you want to discover something exclusively new. It is used by putting data, using your fingers to tap the keys, and it will automatically produce its designated sound.  With this instrument, you can create endless tunes and sound configurations. It will enhance your creativity and make you want more time to spend playing it. 


If you still doubt their differences, check this table out!

KEYBOARDCONTROLLERSYNTHESIZER
Device that generates soundDevice that generates sound via a digital source Has no sounds of its ownNO built-in soundsDevice that generates and contains all kinds of built-in sounds
Tells the controller and synthesizer what sound to playHas KeyboardHas Keyboard
Do not requires any form of voltsRequires external source such as a computerRequire triggers in the form of MIDI and volts
Standalone instrumentDesigned to control software configurationsCan be plugged into the amplifier
Can be analog or digitalDigitalCan be analog or digital
Perfect for beginnersRecommended for intermediate musicians and upRecommended for intermediate musicians and up More expensive than the other

Basically, the term Keyboard is a broad and general word for instruments with keys that you can use with your fingers. The Keyboard Controller has no built-in sounds, so you can’t play music with it alone. It needs an external device that contains the stored data. Lastly, the Keyboard Synthesizer has built-in sounds that can be connected to an amplifier. 

After knowing the basics, what is the one for you?

Before considering buying one, it is important to note that the type and price should not be the priority to start your music career. Thus, your passion is to produce music and utilize it to give you and other people happiness. You must first assess yourself based on your future goal and what skill levels you want to earn. You can choose the best device with ease after these steps. 

Specifications to Consider Before Buying the Right Instrument for You

KEYBOARD

If you are a casual learner or a beginner and need to enhance your finger strength, this instrument is the one for you. Keyboards are portable and incredibly lightweight, with up to 76 keys. Do not worry since it has hundreds of tones and dozens of options to select with. Keyboards are not expensive and portable. It is recommended to find a slim key keyboard equipped with a 64-step arpeggiator. You can store up to eight memories and play eight pattern styles with this one. Look out for a capacitive-touch pitch bend and modulations trip with USB ports and power adaptors to use the instrument as a piece of standalone equipment. A good Keyboard has 12V modern gear support that allows you to record chords and play with them. If you want portable Keyboards, an item that weighs 3 pounds is the one to find. 

CONTROLLER

Choosing Keyboard Controllers will let you enjoy the upbeat vibe even more. Most Controllers allow you to play different notes louder than usual. Since this instrument needs to use external computers, you can play a program like authentic drumbeats and minimal music. Suppose you want to step up and add more diverse music configurations. In that case, it is recommended to choose Novation Launchkey 49 [MK3] MIDI Keyboard Controller for Ableton Live for its capability to create programs using Novation Components that you can utilize by using a browser. The product’s arpeggiator allows you to experience creating tunes with amazing patterns you can mix with. 

To fully enjoy the Keyboard Controller, find an instrument that has eight scale modes. They usually come with modern sensitive pads for splendid navigation over the software’s dynamics. Enhanced 8 x 8 grid of RGB velocity plays smooth melodies with lively beats via external MIDI hardware. For musicians who perform in front of the crowd, Launchpad Pro with five modes and excellent scale function with 32 keys will never let you feel the pressure of pressing the wrong keys.

SYNTHESIZER

If you are a techy person who likes to use modern style electronic instruments, synthesizers will be the best match for you. Endless music configuration for an entry-level is not that hard to figure out when Synthesizers with a tone of unique synth engines with a solid arpeggiator and diverse sequencer will give you better sound qualities.

Analog Synthesizers also come in handy if they have an incredible KeyStep-style sequencer with the MiniBrute 2 model allowing you to witness the modern style of music that everyone loves to hear. Paraphonic Keys with their voltage-controlled amplifier will automatically sync your notes even if you pressed other keys that blend naturally to your music.

Finding a synthesizer that is all about the music quality and smoothness of symphonies rather than the volume it can make is important to remember.

Development

How The Gaming Industry Will Progress in The Next Decade

The video game sector is larger than the music and movie industries combined. Even though it does not get the same attention that the music and movie industry does, it is important to acknowledge that there are over 2 billion gamers globally. That makes up about 26% of the entire world’s population.

Video games have been providing entertainment for both children and adults for several years now. As technology continues to enhance, so do video games, and they are likely to experience more changes in the next decade. Also, unlike other industries that have suffered losses due to Covid-19 pandemics, the gaming industry had even progressed. In an article called How COVID-19 Has Affected the Video Game Industry, Geeks Vibes Nation lists several reasons for the rise of the video game. In the future, we can expect even more prosperity in this industry. 

Video games have become more costly and complex, which might sometimes give developers a hard time. Luckily, some sites offer free resources for web designers and programmers to help make the creation of video games a lot easier.

What Changes Are to Be Expected in The Gaming Industry

1.   Changes in Gaming Distribution Models

Gaming distribution models and monetization are changing since gamers no longer rely on just Apple or Google Play stores. This is because most gaming applications can now be directly downloaded through their websites. This happened as a result of Apple and Google eliminating application models that use third-party revenue earnings from their app stores.

An excellent example of such games is Fortnite which was removed from the Google app store. Gamers are currently for alternative delivery methods and are succeeding at it. Third-party applications such as Amazon App Store, Mobile9, Samsung Mobile app store, 1Mobile marketplace, and others are also rising.

Still, Apple and Google Play stores will be popular places for finding games for a long time to come. Games like PUBG Mobile that can be downloaded from the Google Play store, attract a large number of gamers who are looking for Battle Royale games. If you are a fan of this game check out the Best PUBG Mobile Weapon Combos.

2.   Cloud Gaming Services

Cloud gaming services such as Unlimited Gamez, Stadia, and many others have facilitated new ways of playing MMPORGs online with family and friends. Since they do not require gaming power from your system, you can easily play some of the latest games on your current gaming system.

These gaming services use cloud servers and RDPs to run the game; therefore, all you need is a decent internet connection. Even though you will be paying for your gaming subscription, the cost is negligible.

3.   AR/VR Will Go Mainstream

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality go hand in hand. Gamers with VR gaming consoles can use them to play AR-based games. Today, many developers are joining the field of AR/VR mobile application development. Pokemon Go is one of the games that is solely based on AR/VR gaming and has been downloaded over a billion times.

4.   LTV Measurements Will Get Deeper

Lifetime value measurement is the only measurement metric that most gaming developers want to know now. LTV refers to how long a gamer will play the game or how long they keep their game on their smartphones, varying from one to six months. Lifetime value promptly analyzes the profit margin of game development firms.

By bringing out new versions of their games, further upgrades in games, and developing new levels and scenarios, game developers will enhance how to retain more users.

5.   Gaming Console Upgrades

Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Xbox, Sony PlayStation console get upgrades almost every year. This process can include new hardware upgrades like graphic cards, RAM, and several other technical aspects.

Combining all these upgrades will revive the gaming industry on both software and hardware levels. Additionally, companies such as Google and Apple are now entering the market with their products, Apple TV 4K and Google Stadia streaming service.

6.   Game Streaming Will Be the New Monetization Method

Game streaming websites such as Facebook Gaming, YouTube Gaming, Twitch, Hitbox, and numerous others are becoming increasingly popular due to high-speed internet. This will facilitate a new means of monetizing activities for gamers.

Previously, gamers did not know how to earn through playing games. Today, gamers are able to stream to their followers and earn directly through subscriptions, ads, or donations with services such as Patreon and Twitch donation, and monetize their own hosted game servers. To grow your stream on Twitch try Blerp sound alerts and soundboards that can help a lot.

For example, if you are interested in Twitch Drops for World of Tanks or World of Warship games you can find useful info at  https://thearmoredpatrol.com/  

7.   E-gaming Tournaments

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the e-gaming industry has encountered a significant shift. Tournaments used to be organized in arenas and are now being organized from homes, leading to an increase in the frequency of engaging in tournaments.

With eSports and iGaming marketing featuring heavily within the game sector, the value of this industry continues to also grow for both players and companies.

Instead of the audience having to pay $100 to get a seat in the arena, they now pay $10. The ultimate benefit of this change is that a lot of people will join the tournament as the audience and the seats are never going to be sold out.

At sites like VPEsports you can find out about breaking esports and gaming news, and connect to a fascinating world and watch your favorite esport player do a battle.

Will These Changes Enhance the Gaming Industry?

The gaming industry is all about innovation; therefore, new experiences, new technology, and new controls are expected. As the world continues to move towards spending more time on their phones, playing mobile phone games, and streaming services, large tech companies will want to leverage their current framework to get involved since it will become a significant arena for revenues.

The expanding demographics of gamers is perhaps the most exciting change in the video game industry. With more and more people creating demand for more immersive entertainment, playing games, and looking for more straightforward ways to access them, the video game industry will enhance drastically.

Products

Pros and Cons of Smart Home Automation

Some of us have a love/hate relationship with technology. We love how convenient it is for increasing efficiency and the many ways it helps power our lives. On the flip side, we fear things like data breaches, identity theft, and hacking exploits.

In most cases, the downside can be neutralized by taking a few basic precautions.

The same can be said for smart home technology. We love the luxury of having our indoor environment managed to our preferences, 24/7 security monitoring when we’re asleep or away, and the cost savings that comes from conserving resources through automation.

Like every form of technology, there is an upside and a downside.

Before we get into those, we’ll provide a brief definition of smart home automation and tell you a little bit about how it works.

What is Smart Home Automation?

Smart homes and smart home automation are not quite the same thing. The terms are often used interchangeably, and they’re closely related.

However, Smart Home refers to the networked devices that can be controlled via your home internet connection from anywhere. Home automation is the technology that makes it possible to connect and control these devices.

You’ve no doubt heard of the Internet of Things (IoT)? This is part of it.

Home automation is what allows you to network and configure devices that control the temperature in your home, start your car on a cold day while you wait inside all cosy and warm, and coordinate your indoor lighting, stereo, and many other home electronics with little input or effort from you. You simply set a schedule or scene, and the automation does the rest.

The extent to which it can do this depends upon how it is set up and configured, which devices are connected, and how they’re programmed to interact with other devices.

Smart Home Automation works by programming a hub or multiple hubs that you can then activate from your phone or via voice activation. The most common proprietary home assistant is Alexa, but there are great open source systems, such as Home Assistant, that some consider to be more private and secure.

The difference is that the first is a premium, cloud-based home automation platform and the second is local. Home Assistant is free and open source, but you can add a cloud component for a subscription fee, which would convert it into a hybrid service.

Now that we know a little more about smart home automation and how it works, let’s take a closer look into whether it’s worth it to install or a dangerous capability that you should avoid.

5 Advantages of Having a Smart Home

Do you remember the days when you would need to take a day off from work because a repair technician was coming to install your cable or replace a major home system? With smartphone automation, you can let them in your house from nearly any physical location and use an app on your phone to monitor what’s going on inside your home while you’re away.

Setting up a smart home is remarkably easy and requires no in-depth tech knowledge, though it can be a bit pricey, to begin with. However, keep in mind that it’s a small price to pay for the benefits of remote access and 24/7 visual monitoring of your property. These are just a few advantages of venturing into smart home technology. Here’s another 5 listed below on why you should seriously consider smartifying your home

1. Energy Efficient

Did you come from one of those households where the parent(s) were constantly walking through every room and turning off the lights or complaining when the utility bills arrived in the mail? Smart home automation eliminates this problem by allowing you to configure lighting, thermostats, water, and even your light bulbs to turn on or off on a set schedule. You can also configure and coordinate systems by season, occupancy, time of day, and other metrics in order to conserve precious resources and cut consumption.

That means greater efficiency and lower bills.

Another money-saving feature is built-in sensors that tell you when it’s time to change a filter, service your system, or that you might need a repair. This is a much more sensible solution than waiting for a breakdown or inefficiency that puts strain or wear on your home appliances and systems.

2. Hands-free Convenience

With voice activation, you can tell your home assistant to preheat the oven, record your favorite show, turn on the lights, or even fill the tub. This feature is also great for those times when your hands are full and you need to multitask.

3. Enhanced Security

From remote monitoring to round-the clock surveillance, smart home technology offers enhanced security. You can set your door locks and alarms or see who’s at the door while you’re away. If there’s a problem with your stove or furnace, it can shut down automatically and send a service request straight to the plumber or HVAC technician even if you’re on a business trip or vacation.

4. Save Time With Automated Tasks

Wouldn’t it be great if you could program your home to have the indoor temperature and lighting set to your preferences before you arrive home from work? No more fumbling for your keys at a darkened doorway or bumping your shins on the end table while you feel around for the lights.

Whatever compatible devices or preferences you need can be automated and customized to save time for things that really matter.

5. Access control

This not only saves money and alerts first responders when there’s a fire, medical emergency, or break in attempt, it also makes homes and home systems more accessible for the elderly and disabled.

The Downside of Smart Home Technology

”People assume that the smarter your home, the better your life. But in reality, technology so often gets in the way of leading a good life.” ~ Joe Gebbia, Designer

Of course, for every advantage, there are certain disadvantages. The trick is to determine if the benefits are worth the risk.

To our minds, these are the main liabilities you face when installing smart home automation and how to minimize those risks.

Security and Privacy

Anything that’s connected to the internet or has remote access can be hacked. There’s no way to make home automation 100 percent impenetrable, but there are things you can do to minimize risk.

First of all, don’t connect all systems and devices to the same network. Most modems will allow you to segment your networks, so you can have one connection for computing, one for visitors, a separate network for security monitoring, home appliances, and your furnace. Check with your IP service for more information about setting up your network.

Cost

Although it’s becoming more common, the technology is still out of reach for some people. First, determine if the savings offer an ROI that offsets the cost. You could also implement more critical features, such as a remote doorbell or video monitoring first, and then add technologies or devices as your budget and requirements change or increase.

Setup and Configuration

Sometimes, even someone who’s tech-savvy can have a difficult time setting up or configuring devices. Many companies offer tech support and installation/setup assistance. Even if there’s a small fee attached, it’s worth the price to avoid improper configuration and hassle.

Do the Advantages Outweigh the Risks? Final Thoughts About Smart Home Automation

When precautions are put in place and it’s properly installed and maintained, smart home technology offers many advantages. In fact, it’s projected that by 2025, global home automation investment will reach $133.2 billion. By that point in time, it’s estimated that there will be more than 30 billion active IoT connections or networked devices.

In other words, this technology isn’t going away any time soon. The automation will also become more affordable and secure as it evolves, diminishing several of the disadvantages.

Our best advice to you is to evaluate your own needs and budgets to determine how – and how many – smart home capabilities will improve your life.