Sunday, May 4, 2014
Open APIs
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Friday, April 4, 2014
Cloud Platforms
There are many options to choose from today when it goes to cloud-based services.
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At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
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At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
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Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Glue Code Service
Complete the data life cycle
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At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
Shameless Self Promotion
At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
The A-La-Carte Service Model
When YatinBoots started out, PJAD IT at the time, the prevalence of cloud-based services were not available. “Cloud”, still related to the weather. You bought an application (service) from a vendor, and installed it on your on-premise machine. Mobility and readily accessible services entailed taking a laptop around with you. As we find our footing, streamline offerings, and hone our target markets; YatinBoots is an experienced participant in the rise of the a-la-carte service model prevalent today.
Services first explored included: Invoicing and Billing systems, then Help Desk portals. We then wanted Accounting, Time Tracking, Project Management, and Schedule Management systems. Needless to say, we have spent hours on hours trying out new services; integrating and ripping components out.
The a-la-carte service model, initially is great because you pay for “only what you want”. Correction, you pay for mostly what you want; services may have overlapping functionalities. And for the most parts, that would be doable. Then you start to look at the cost; $29.99/month here, $15.00/user/month there, $59.00/month up to 5 users... The cost starts to add up; cost slowly inches its way up compare to a big price tag up front like traditional on-premise/ fully customized solutions. Additionally, integration is also piecemeal across these services. Yeah, I know there are a number of cloud-based integration services available, but those come with a price tag as well and not all encompassing.
Being able to add services as you go puts the customer into the driver seat. However, adding services in an ad-hoc fashion leads to services with overlapping features, loss of productivity, frustration and confusion, detracts from the business of running the business, miss requirements, etc. In summary, ad-hoc addition of services is costly in time, resources, and actual dollars – all impacting the bottom line.
On the other hand, the addition of services should be part of an overall technology strategy; a technology maturity roadmap. Instead of continually adding and removing services to potentially address a hot need; YatinBoots took a step back and build requirements off of our business plan. Based on these requirements and our vision for how we will interact and support our customers, we developed a roadmap for services. For each service need, we defined required integrations with other service components and nice to haves. For instance, our Help Desk service portal is central to what we do, also Accounting, and CRM. The development of an a-la-carte service model strategy will guide your organization in adopting and incorporating services into the business operations.
Shameless Self Promotion
At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
Services first explored included: Invoicing and Billing systems, then Help Desk portals. We then wanted Accounting, Time Tracking, Project Management, and Schedule Management systems. Needless to say, we have spent hours on hours trying out new services; integrating and ripping components out.
The a-la-carte service model, initially is great because you pay for “only what you want”. Correction, you pay for mostly what you want; services may have overlapping functionalities. And for the most parts, that would be doable. Then you start to look at the cost; $29.99/month here, $15.00/user/month there, $59.00/month up to 5 users... The cost starts to add up; cost slowly inches its way up compare to a big price tag up front like traditional on-premise/ fully customized solutions. Additionally, integration is also piecemeal across these services. Yeah, I know there are a number of cloud-based integration services available, but those come with a price tag as well and not all encompassing.
Being able to add services as you go puts the customer into the driver seat. However, adding services in an ad-hoc fashion leads to services with overlapping features, loss of productivity, frustration and confusion, detracts from the business of running the business, miss requirements, etc. In summary, ad-hoc addition of services is costly in time, resources, and actual dollars – all impacting the bottom line.
On the other hand, the addition of services should be part of an overall technology strategy; a technology maturity roadmap. Instead of continually adding and removing services to potentially address a hot need; YatinBoots took a step back and build requirements off of our business plan. Based on these requirements and our vision for how we will interact and support our customers, we developed a roadmap for services. For each service need, we defined required integrations with other service components and nice to haves. For instance, our Help Desk service portal is central to what we do, also Accounting, and CRM. The development of an a-la-carte service model strategy will guide your organization in adopting and incorporating services into the business operations.
TIPS:
Things to consider as you explore service offerings:- Look for services with open trial periods that do not force sign-up or commitment up front (we will have an upcoming post on Freemium);
- Try services when you actually have time and resources to use the selected service(s) as part of normal operations;
- Services that are focused and narrow in scope versus trying to do a lot;
- Services that support open platforms and APIs; and
- Services with customers within your industry. It is OK to be a trailblazer from time to time; but the service(s) really has to work for your business and not your business bending to accommodate the use of the service(s).
Shameless Self Promotion
At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Getting Started
Starting a business is hard, and often overlooked is the role technology will play as part of the growth strategy and daily operations. Yeah, we think about needing email, social media, and being mobile. But organizations tend not to plan the integration of technology, driven by data.
We are now in the age of the "Internet of Things", where more and more devices are being built with connectivity to the Internet. It took the cake for me when I was at the Dreamforce conference last November, when Phillips showcased a toothbrush that is Wi-Fi based with GPS. I sat there thinking, why do I want my toothbrush connected to the Internet? Will that be a way for my dentist to monitor if I am actually brushing? Or determine if I am brushing correctly based on the positioning of toothbrush? Then I thought about it for a second; I could rationalize such connectivity, if such connectivity provides a way to get firmware update. The toothbrush now becomes a platform. Instead of needing to buy a new toothbrush, I can get a firmware update to extend the life of the toothbrush, add new functionality such as an extra brush cycles, etc.
What does Phillips new toothbrush has to do with starting a new business. It conveys the pressing need for connectivity as a function of doing business. Connectivity brings a global audience to a local address. For those of you that say I am not looking to be global; connectivity helps you to reach your customers (and target audience – potential customers), no matter where they are.
Shameless Self Promotion
At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
We are now in the age of the "Internet of Things", where more and more devices are being built with connectivity to the Internet. It took the cake for me when I was at the Dreamforce conference last November, when Phillips showcased a toothbrush that is Wi-Fi based with GPS. I sat there thinking, why do I want my toothbrush connected to the Internet? Will that be a way for my dentist to monitor if I am actually brushing? Or determine if I am brushing correctly based on the positioning of toothbrush? Then I thought about it for a second; I could rationalize such connectivity, if such connectivity provides a way to get firmware update. The toothbrush now becomes a platform. Instead of needing to buy a new toothbrush, I can get a firmware update to extend the life of the toothbrush, add new functionality such as an extra brush cycles, etc.
What does Phillips new toothbrush has to do with starting a new business. It conveys the pressing need for connectivity as a function of doing business. Connectivity brings a global audience to a local address. For those of you that say I am not looking to be global; connectivity helps you to reach your customers (and target audience – potential customers), no matter where they are.
TIPS:
Things to consider when starting a business:- No man is an island, get help and do not lose track of what is the main thing;
- Write it down, and follow the plan;
- Formal registration of business, protect yourself and your idea
- Develop a branding strategy across all mediums (move away from mycompany@gmail.com to name@mycompany.com);
- Explore different service models for business support services; and
- Sign-up for some form of legal support.
Shameless Self Promotion
At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Introductions
We are passionate about technology, specifically, we are passionate about how various technologies work together to create value for an organization. At the heart of it all, is connectivity, connectivity to the services to operate and manage a business, reach customers, and improve mobility. Cloud platforms, open APIs, and à la carte service models are reshaping how we operate.
This blog was set up to share our experiences, expertise, challenges, and tips and trips. It is open to all.
Shameless Self Promotion
At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
This blog was set up to share our experiences, expertise, challenges, and tips and trips. It is open to all.
Posting Schedule
4th of every month at 7:00AM EST
Shameless Self Promotion
At YatinBoots Corp., connectivity, is our sole priority. We work with freelancers, entrepreneurs, and owners to devise technology-based, customer-driven solutions that put the focus back on their customer instead of operations.
Schedule a Quick Call
Visit Our Support Portal
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