SAP ERP has been taking up the technological market by storm, and somehow they always have newer and better versions of it releasing consistently. Sometimes it can be hard to keep up with it all, so we are here to help you figure it out, one step at a time. 

Before we can bite into the big chunk of how to implement this technology into your organization’s workflow, let us first take a nibble and understand what SAP S/4HANA is.

SAP S/4HANA – A Powerhouse of Solutions

S/4HANA, created by SAP Software Company, was devised specially to make Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) faster and easier to access through a simplified data model, sleek architecture, and a new advanced user experience. S/4HANA is essentially integrated with a number of emerging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), the Internet Of Things (IoT), and Advanced Analytics

Implementing SAP S/4HANA for your business carries a load of benefits with it, including performance boost, simplified processes, enhanced user experience, stability, flexibility, and so much more. It improves the overall functional efficiency of the workplace and drastically cuts costs.

Understanding SAP S/4HANA 

With many powerful advanced technologies forming its backbone, S/4HANA gives organizations the opportunity to better manage product development, production, and distribution processes. With its assistance, companies can better supervise product quality, minimize production errors, and significantly enhance the efficiency of their supply chain. 

Before the domination of HANA, all SAP software functioned on third-party databases. HANA changed this pattern by bearing SAP’s own in-memory platform. This feature of S/4HANA provides a much faster rate of access and analysis of data. With regard to software development, SAP S/4HANA is also considered a platform for customer-defined applications. 

Key Benefits Of SAP S/4HANA 

SAP S/4HANA comes with many benefits. Jotted down below are a few of the more important benefits of implementing SAP S/4HANA for your business:

  • Real-time Analysis: SAP S/4HANA aims to provide end users with active decision support and data analysis in real time. Real-time analytics is when logic and mathematics are applied to data to provide insights for making better decisions at a faster pace.
  • Improved User Experience: It provides an innovative user experience that enables users to easily use Overview Pages, Work Lists, and List Reports. Its UI is designed with added intuition, personalization, and simplicity which allow users to interact with the software and access required details.
  • Simplified Data Model: S/4HANA immensely simplifies the management and administration processes to an extent that simplicity is one of the key features SAP imbibed into its application structure. 
  • Business Process Optimization: It also enables the unification of hardware and network resources to serve as the digital core by accessing its HANA in-memory database, for business process optimization.
  • Digital Transformation: Lastly, S/4HANA has a digital crux that presents organizations with a unique platform for boosting main business processes along with analytical and decision-making capabilities in real time.

Read more: A Simple Guide To Handling SAP Errors and Troubleshoots!

SAP Errors

Preparing for SAP S/4HANA Implementation 

Implementing SAP S/4HANA is not going to be an option anymore. It will be inevitable. Before you start on this journey, however, here are a few precautions to keep in mind:

1. Assessing The Organization’s Readiness 

Before making any hasty decisions, regardless of how smart they may seem to be, it is of utmost importance to first completely analyze your company’s situation. The process of assessment will require you to review your system requirements and gauge the scope of your S/4HANA implementation. Your organization’s readiness to cope with the change is very important. Factors such as business process analysis, data readiness, and resource allocation need to be kept in mind.

2. Building The Implementation Team

With the right partner and the perfect team backing you up, there are slim to zero chances for any sort of slipups. Your implementation team should have a set of common objectives and performance goals that they share with you. It should draw up a program management plan that includes not just your system integrator, but also activities for your business users, internal resources, and any other third parties that you are bound to include. Having a cross-functional team is vital. These teams retain the responsibility of moving all of their user stories and tasks forward on their own and their main objective is to be as self-sufficient as possible so that they rarely need to step outside of their own team to accomplish a task.

3. Defining Implementation Goals And Scope 

Write down and share your business’s needs, goals, and scope, and understand the business processes that will be influenced by the implementation. Business Process Modules are graphical representations of an organization’s business processes or workflows. They help organizations enhance efficiency, productivity, and agility. Remember to identify these processes and determine their modules and functionalities before implementation. 

Phases Of SAP S/4HANA Implementation

Once you have determined that your organization is ready to implement SAP S/4HANA, you can acquaint yourself with the different phases of implementation that will help you achieve successful implementation.

1. Project Planning And Preparation 

Included in this phase are activities such as creating a project plan, establishing timelines, redefining business priorities, forming an efficient implementation team, adequate communication between stakeholders and project managers, and finally, change management strategies. The project planning section will include considering all the details and factors, which can be challenging due to the vast landscape. 

The next step is to form the dream team – an effective and hardworking implementation team that truly cares about your project. You will need to specify your requirements to the SAP implementation team and based on your needs, the team can assist you in picking the right tools and approaches that will benefit your business. 

In addition to a team of experts, it is well advised to have a committed manager to oversee the implementation processes. This entails effective communication among the key players within your team and the business at large. Also, ensure that your implantation team has fool-proof change management strategies at their disposal. 

Finally, you will have to redefine your business priorities, objectives, and goals. This is bound to be a daunting task but it is essential for change and progression. It is wise to also determine key performance indicators (KPIs) and milestones to establish timelines and measure progress. 

2. System Installation And Configuration 

The next step is the implementation phase. Here, the team will conduct baseline configurations to ensure your new SAP processes meet your business needs. This helps to dramatically reduce and eliminate discrepancies from your blueprint. The team will also need to perform robust testing to assess the operation’s success and highlight probable errors. 

The configuration of the baseline system will follow close behind. It is during this step that all project plan fine-tunes are done and all gaps found are eliminated from the business blueprint to ensure seamless SAP implementation. Any customization required can also be taken care of by the implementation team during this phase. Three key factors to keep in mind during this phase are – hardware requirements, system landscape designs, and software installation.  

3. Data Migration And Conversion 

Data migration and conversion is a very intricate procedure. One slip-up and your company could lose tonnes of data and ultimately the loyalty of its customers. Legacy System Migration Workbench (LSMW) is widely known as a tool that supports the transfer of data from non-SAP systems to SAP systems. This transfer can be one-time as well as periodic. LSMW also actively supports the conversion of data from the legacy system in numerous ways during migration. 

Data cleansing is the first step of conversion during migration. It is of vital importance because there is a high chance that incorrect data may be present within the migrated data set. Data cleansing through data transformation and data validation is by far a cheaper and more efficient method. This step will eradicate errors even though multiple sources of data are at play. 

4. Customization And Configuration 

Everyone enjoys experiences that feel personalized. S/4HANA implementation involves an entire phase just for customization and configuration. However, in the context of SAP, customizing is the process of adjusting the SAP software to the requirements of a business by tracing the organizational structures and processes of the company into the SAP system. The organizational structure includes the basic data information needed to be customized for the SAP implementation to be successful. It may not seem like a big deal but accurate customization is one of the biggest exhibits. 

5. Testing And Training 

Any freshly implemented software needs to be rigorously and thoroughly tested. The purpose of testing in SAP is to ensure that business-critical processes work and there are no gaps in the system. When a new process is set up, when an existing process is adjusted, and when SAP updates its system, testing happens at every stage. Testing prevents bugs from spreading, reduces developmental costs, and enhances performance. Testing paves a path for a sustainable way to approach planning, strategizing, and highly controlled execution and monitoring. 

Training of employees for the new installation is also very important. It is most essential to ensure that end-users of the software are trained adequately on how to effectively use SAP S/4HANA. 

6. Go-live And Post-implementation Support 

During this final phase, migration of all the data to the production environment’s SAP systems is performed. All the data is migrated scrupulously to the new SAP S/4HANA systems. After this, the project managers will need to run frequent tests to check if everything works as expected. SAP systems are consistently supervised and optimized for better performance. 

Implementing a successful SAP S/4HANA system for your business goes beyond traditional methods; the last step in ensuring a successful SAP implementation is to create a highly reliable support team that can assist with any post-implementation issues that may arise. Aftercare is important and should not be underestimated. Your support team should monitor and rectify both major and minor errors during post-production.

Read more: Strategizing A Successful SAP S/4HANA Migration for Businesses

SAP S/4HANA Migration

How Fingent Can Help

There is no doubt that implementing SAP S/4HANA is good for your business, but it is wise to be aware of some of the challenges that could come with its implementation. Disorganization, improper and insufficient preparation, complex data to be transferred in the source system, complex custom code, and lack of testing and validations – could hamper the successful implementation of SAP S/4HANA. 

Fingent can help. As a silver partner for SAP, we have the expertise needed to navigate all the challenges of implementation and help you make a success of it. 

Our approach unites the best of SAP Activate methodology with preconfigured solutions, focused templates, and a modular and agile framework. Our experts assist clients through every step of the implementation process and even provide excellent post-implementation support by monitoring performance, addressing user feedback, and providing any fixes if necessary.

Reach out to us and allow us to help you on your SAP S/4HANA journey.

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    About the Author

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    Ashok Kumar

    Ashok leads Fingent’s SAP Consulting practice for ANZ, SE Asia, The Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and other global clients. More specifically, he helps companies improve operational efficiency by enhancing their digital cores and improving their application integration. Ashok has amassed over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience having worked with Global giants like SAP, IBM Consulting, Capgemini, & Oracle in his previous assignments. Connect with Ashok via LinkedIn and learn how your business can excel with recent SAP trends.

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      Augmented Reality in Retail:
      Use Cases & Business Benefits

      Try Before You Buy: Creating Interactive Retail Shopping Experiences with AR
      Imagine waking up to a record sales conversion on your eCommerce portal! Your customers are 20% more engaged and satisfied with the shopping experience. Your business gains boosted customer trust, brand value, and improved ROI!
      Yes, it’s possible with Augmented Reality!
      Augmented Reality in Retail is revolutionizing shopping experiences expeditiously! With AR in retail, customers can interact, customize, and engage with products better, so that they make the right purchase decisions. Nike’s Virtual View is one top example of how WebAR in Retail boosts customer engagement and trust!
      But of course, it’s only natural to be a little skeptical before investing in any new business technology. That is why we bring you a detailed guide on what is Augmented Reality, and how your Retail and eCommerce firms can smartly deploy and benefit from augmented reality services !

      What is Augmented Reality?

      Simply put, Augmented Reality (AR) superimposes digital content and information onto a user’s real-life scenario to enhance their virtual experience of the existing physical environment. The improved version of the physical world is attained by leveraging the capabilities of the computer-generated display, visuals, sound, text, and graphics which augments the user’s real-world experience.
      AR will allow you to search things visually by simply pointing out mobile cameras toward objects in real-life surroundings. The Live View feature in Google Maps is a leading example of how AR allows users to visualize their destinations in the real world. Nintendo’s Pokémon Go App and the photo filters on Facebook and Snapchat are some of the popular examples of AR today.
      However, AR is not just a gaming or navigational application. Several industries today, including consumer products and retail, are implementing AR to improve their operational and marketing abilities. Leading ecommerce brands, as well as in-store retailers, are highly investing in AR to build and deliver top-notch brand experiences.
      By 2024, the number of mobile AR users will reach 1.73 billion.
      billion
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      By 2024, the number of mobile AR users will reach 1.73 billion.

      Why Is Augmented Reality Important In Retail and eCommerce?

      Millennials are the core shoppers today, and they need services at their fingertips! Standing in long queues to grab that limited offer is off the trend! Now shoppers love to book it first online.
      With Augmented Reality in Retail, online shopping experiences takes a new turn. Customers get to virtually try on items, customize and interact with the products better so that they make quick and smart purchase decisions. Getting complete satisfaction with online shopping increases brand trust immensely, giving retailers an immediate boost to expedite sales! The more reasons to implement AR in Retail!
      0 %

      40% of consumers say they would pay more for a product that they could customize in AR.

      What are the Latest AR Trends in Retail?

      Today’s customers value personalization and convenience over pricing and product. Augmented Reality allows brands to develop smart retail experiences that influence their customers’ buying decisions.
      AR makes online selling easier and more comfortable by creating virtual simulations for users to interact with a product, just like how they try a fashion outfit in a physical store. Using AR, retail customers can virtually visit their favorite brand stores, try products, and make comparisons, without leaving the comfort of their homes.

      Top AR Trends in Retail Today

      AR will enable retailers to deliver impactful, well-timed, and relevant user experiences that increase customer value, both in physical stores as well as in ecommerce!

      Enriching Customer Experiences With Smart Malls Of The Future!

      Watch more on how your business can leverage AR for a unique and smart mall experience!

      Why is AR a Powerful Retail Sales Channel?

      By 2025, nearly 75% of the global population and almost all people who use social or communication apps will be frequent AR users. AR adoption will see growth in these four key areas:
      But why use AR for retail?
      Research shows the top reasons why customers return their products.
      AR-integrated ecommerce websites and applications can run on any smartphone allowing customers to contextually experience every product at scale. Immersive product discovery experiences lead to better conversions as retailers can capture shoppers’ attention at the decision-making stage.
      Brands that implement AR for Retail Sales will see:
      AR offers shoppers innumerable options to interact with consumer products in a more personalized way. Customers aren’t anymore held back by a limited number of product images and videos. With AR, every single online session can be turned into a powerful sales channel.
      Capture shoppers’ attention at the decision-making stage | Allow shoppers to personally interact with products |
      Turn online browsings into powerful sales channels
      0 %

      32% of consumers use AR while shopping!

      How Does AR Increase Sales in Retail?

      AR use cases in retail are growing in leaps and bounds. Across the B2C, D2C, and B2B realms, AR will bridge the gap between online selling and the customer experience in the following ways.

      Warehouse Space Optimization

      AR can improve complex warehouse operations by streamlining warehousing management activities such as order allocation and picking, inventory control, material handling, and packaging. Using an interactive 3D warehouse layout, retailers can improve their warehouse planning.
      • Locate products and process orders faster.
      • Quickly extract necessary information (order number, trolley number, deposit bin information, passage numbers).
      • Expedite loading and unloading processes.
      • Achieve zero-delay deliveries through warehouse optimization.
      • Increases your sale orders and drives revenue.

      Virtual Fitting Rooms

      Virtual fitting rooms allow your customers to try on clothing items, jewelry, and other accessories even if they don’t visit your physical store. Even without touching an item, shoppers can see the size, style, and fit of apparel before they buy it. According to Shopify, an omnichannel shopping experience powered by AR nudges online shoppers to spend 10% more.
      • Superimpose the visuals of your items on live video feeds for your customers.
      • Create a virtual dressing room using Augmented Reality features.
      • AR-powered virtual mirrors can save valuable retail space in your brick-and-mortar stores.
      • Avoid the need to set up separate trial rooms.

      Placement Previews

      IKEA Place App’s AR feature allows customers to visualize how a new piece of furniture will fit their space. After selecting an item from IKEA’s catalog, the customer can point their mobile camera anywhere in their surroundings to see the furniture’s placement, adjust it from different angles, take photos, and share it with their friends for feedback.
      • The highly interactive preview experience keeps users motivated throughout the buying journey.
      • The seamless and fluid experience will encourage customers to return for more purchases.
      • This automatically boosts customer loyalty and brand recognition.
      • Guarantees conversion ten times more.

      Route Optimization

      Not just online and shopping experiences counts to customers. When products are delivered quickly and smartly, there are much more chances for a customer to build their trust in brands. With AR enabling effective navigation capabilities, routes can be optimized for seamless delivery channels.
      • Develop AR-powered apps that enable the delivery teams to plan their travel smarter.
      • Plan shortest route options, traffic updates, map views, and more.
      • Support your delivery partners with additional assistance just from their smartphone cameras, leading them to the right routes.
      • Ensure no package delivery goes missed or undelivered.

      Interactive AR Packaging

      AR-enabled interactive packaging offers consumers a highly engaging shopping experience that will boost ecommerce and in-store sales. Customers could scan a QR code on the retailer’s package to understand the latest offers and discounts, new product roll-outs, or read the brand’s story. Jack Daniel Distillery’s smart AR packaging allows users to take a closer look at their whiskey-making process and explore their growth story.
      • With AR, product packages aren’t throwaway junk anymore.
      • Encourage users to scan QR codes on food packaging to get exclusive recipes and cooking videos of top chefs.
      • Use interactive AR techniques to encourage shoppers to recycle packages and share their product experiences with others.

      Interactive Business Cards

      AR takes your plain business cards to the next level by allowing you to add 3D objects, interactions, animations, and powerful virtual components on top of your physical business cards. When you point your smartphone camera toward the card, you can see an interactive display of your business profile. AR allows you to incorporate numerous features into your V-card such as videos, audio, images, 3D objects, social links, animations, and URLs, besides your contact info and designation.
      • Stand out from your competitors and provide prospects with instant resources.
      • Increase curiosity and prompts your clients to access more information about your business.
      • Immersive and unique experiences in the real world improve your business’s credibility and doubles lead capturing.
      • Interactive business cards shorten the sales cycle and increase customer appointments and engagement.

      Complete Product Information

      AR allows superimposing additional product information that your customers may not get easily in physical or online stores. Processing product information is the most significant aspect that influences a customer’s buying decision. Customers want to know if the products they buy will fit their purpose. Top automotive brands such as Mercedes Benz and Hyundai use AR-powered digital car manuals to explain automotive features in a highly interactive way.
      • Digitally delivering the right information will simplify the product discovery process for the consumer, boosting sales.
      • Customers can avoid scrolling through large user manuals.
      • Pointing to a specific feature with mobile cameras will provide the necessary information required to impact the buyer’s decision.

      The age of analyzing products via videos and images is gone! Customers now need more! With AR, realtors can bring their products closer to their customers, enabling them to interact with the items meanwhile establishing added brand value and customer trust!

      - Venkatesh Alagarsamy, AR, VR, MR, Metaverse Expert, Fingent.

      Real-World Cases Of Boosted Customer Experience with AR

      AR Taking Cabin Manufacturing To New Heights: Use Case

      Complex designs, large customer requests, and inaccurate floor plans often challenge and restrict the operational efficiencies of shed and cabin manufactures. Leading players of the industry are now trying to implement modern approaches at each stage of their process to streamline functions and improve performance. How can AR help in this?
      With a customized software solution featuring 3D web configurators
      • Customers can build and design their own sheds using AR
      • Automate floor plans
      • Reduced human errors
      • Streamline planning of cabin constructions
      • Estimate pricing accurately

      AR Powered apps for E-Commerce: Use Case

      Over 20% of customers deny online shopping because of the fear of wrong purchase decisions.
      How can Fingent help?
      • Interactive mobile apps enabling 3D preview of objects
      • Agnostic web solution for Ecommerce
      • No restrictions on a wide range of product displays
      • Improved customer engagement and interaction
      • Personalized shopping made possible from anywhere
      0 %

      61% of consumers say they prefer retailers with AR experiences.

      Augmented Reality vs. Virtual Reality

      Many people use Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality interchangeably thinking that both technological concepts are the same. Though both AR and VR help creates immersive and interactive experiences, both are different in their own niches.

      Augmented Reality

      • Augments the real-world experience of the user
      • Creates virtual experience by overlaying digital content on top of what the user is already seeing
      • Detects markers such as barcodes or QR codes to deliver AR animations to specific user locations
      • Explored best with smartphones
      • AR SDKs empower mobile apps to detect and capture real-time user environments
      • Reflects true-to-life conditions and real-life scenarios

      Virtual Reality

      • Creates a fully-immersive virtual environment
      • Total immersion is accomplished by shutting the user from the real-world
      • Virtual Reality Modeling Language or VRML experiences delivered via a client-side interface to simulate virtual environments
      • Explored best with a VR headset
      • VR SDKs allow users to navigate pre-loaded and cloud-stored streams by using controllers and environment trackers
      • Virtual representation of real-life conditions
      0 %

      Augmented Reality Boosts Online Shopping Sales Up To 200% - Forbes

      Augmented Reality In Retail: Why Is It Picking Up Steam In Today’s Digital Age?

      AR will boost your customers’ trust and drive their purchasing confidence.

      Real-time product visualizations and virtual trials ensure that retailers are able to deliver products that match their customers’ expectations. AR reduces your marketing costs and increases your customer satisfaction.
      AR retail experiences will eliminate the friction between sellers and buyers and maximize the probability of purchasing. When customers receive their orders as expected, it will decrease your product returns.
      The rise in ecommerce demands delivering more successful online experiences. Retailers leveraging augmented reality can rest assured that they aren’t left behind in the competition.
      Interactive virtual experiences arouse your customers’ curiosity and motivate them to explore your products. AR experiences such as virtual try-on persuade customers to come back and shop for additional products.
      AR-enabled shopping experiences collect insightful data on customers’ shopping patterns, buying behavior, interests, and preferences. Retailers can use these insights to run targeted marketing campaigns and develop more personalized products.
      The demand for contactless experiences triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic is here to stay. As people are more concerned about their personal hygiene and contamination risks, retailers can employ AR to connect with their customers and keep the show running.
      Customers place emphasis on the value they get when buying from you. CX is the key brand differentiator that boosts customer loyalty today. With AR, you can optimize every customer touchpoint to deliver unmatched CX.
      AR ecommerce apps can serve as your shop assistants and sales agents that take you through product features and benefits. You don’t have to hire expensive labor for showing the customer around, as AR does the heavy lifting.
      0 %

      71% of consumers say they would shop more often if they used AR.

      Fingent’s AR-enabled Applications for Retailers

      Be it in-store or ecommerce, Fingent top custom software development company, enables retailers to deliver seamless shopping experiences to their consumers by leveraging technology to the fullest. Our AR retail solutions effectively bridge the gap between consumers and sellers:

      Augmented Reality Reshaping eCommerce!

      What more on how you can smartly and seamlessly deploy AR for your eCommerce!

      How Fingent Can Help Your Business Build Intuitive Apps With AR

      With our expertise around ARKit for iOS Platforms, Spark AR, Lens Studio, Vuforia, Web AR Solutions, and AR Core for Android Platforms we help create powerful user experiences that fetch a competitive edge.

      eCommerce

      Bring the “Wow” factor to your eCommerce with virtual try-ons, preview placements, AR filters, and more!

      Healthcare

      We help you deploy AR to improve medical training, pediatric MRI evaluation, venipuncture procedures, dentistry, and more!

      Equipment Maintenance

      With AR connect faster with your machines to work smarter at reduced costs, and effective time management.

      Most Common Q&As on AR in Retail

      Augmented Reality streamlines retail operations to make shopping easier and convenient for both online and offline buyers. AR replaces physical fitting rooms with virtual try-on solutions and allows consumers to configure products based on their preferences. AR modernizes retail marketing through personalized content delivery and offers contactless purchasing options which will boost online sales.
      3D product visualizations and “try-before-you-buy” digital experiences allow retailers to reduce the cost of returns that affect their ROI. Retailers can develop 3D animations and visual simulations to improve consumer awareness and influence buying decisions. AR helps retailers analyze customer behavior, test their product samples, boost brand engagement, and augment sales.
      Full-fledged 3D experiences can improve product research and discovery which will result in more sales. Retailers selling automotive, home furniture, consumer electronics, and lifestyle products can drive traction and make unique selling pitches through AR. Studies prove that AR increases the average product (images and videos) viewing time from 30 seconds to eight minutes. Linking purchasing decisions with the shopper’s emotions will eliminate their doubts about the product and increase your sales volume.
      According to Snapchat, 76% of consumers believe that AR will play an integral role in future shopping, with 57% of consumers planning to increase their AR usage in post-COVID times. AR improves a retail brand’s discoverability and increases a consumer’s likelihood to purchase after an immersive experience. AR experience educates and motivates customers at multiple points in the shopping journey, thereby influencing their purchasing decisions.
      Today, every retailer needs to pursue an omnichannel retail strategy that revolves around customer-centricity. This requires retailers to personalize their offerings in the best way possible. AR can simplify your personalization efforts as it’s a highly user-centric technology that tremendously transforms the way you market and sell. Augmented retail strategy improves both your business’s bottom line and customer experience.

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          Today we live in a world where machines possess an extraordinary ability to learn, reason, and make decisions, much like the human mind. This remarkable realm of technology known as Artificial Intelligence is not merely a product of science fiction or futuristic imagination. It has become an awe-inspiring reality that is transforming the landscape of countless industries.

          But that’s just the tip of the AI iceberg.

          In mobile development, AI can transform your customer’s device into a personal shopping assistant, a language guru, or a creative photographer all in the blink of an eye. 

          The integration of AI in mobile app development doesn’t stop there. 

          It unlocks a realm of possibilities for your customers, from personalized virtual assistants that organize their life, to fitness apps that act as their personal trainers, to healthcare apps that monitor their well-being.

          But how do we understand the concept of AI in mobile apps?

          Unraveling Artificial Intelligence in Mobile Apps

          Simply put, AI is like the brain behind the scenes, making your apps smarter and more interactive. 

          One of AI’s superpowers is Machine Learning (ML). It’s like a super adaptable brain that learns from data and experiences. Machine learning algorithms analyze massive amounts of information to get better at tasks. They can recognize patterns, make predictions, and even understand your preferences.

          Another clever component is Natural Language Processing (NLP). It’s like an AI language translator that allows you can talk to your app, ask questions, and it magically understands and responds. NLP allows your AI sidekick to grasp the meaning behind your words, making conversations with your app feel more human-like. 

          How does it help?

          Read more: Understanding NLP: Will It Reign Supreme In Near Future?

          NLP

           

          From Mundane to Marvelous – Benefits of AI In Mobile Apps

          Weaving the powers of AI into your mobile apps can enhance user experience. How? Like a brilliant and intuitive companion, AI-powered mobile apps can provide personalized recommendations. AI algorithms analyze user behavior, learn their tastes, and curate a world of suggestions. 

          Plus, it learns and grows with them. The more your customers use your apps, the smarter those apps become, tailoring their suggestions to your customer’s ever-changing whims and fancies and predicting their move, and effortlessly serving up what they need.

          Read more: https://www.fingent.com/blog/is-ai-powered-mobile-app-what-you-need-for-your-business-now/

          Key Applications of AI In Mobile Apps

          AI brings a layer of intelligence to your apps that takes them to the next level. Here are some key applications that this has made possible: 

          1. Voice Assistants and Natural Language Processing

          40% of mobile users use voice search at least once a day. – Comptia.

          Natural Language Processing (NLP) enables the integration of voice assistants like Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa into mobile apps. No matter how they phrase it, NLP enables your app to decipher the meaning and context of their spoken words. 

          It is capable of unraveling the intricacies of slang, deciphering accents, and even understanding complex sentences with multiple layers of meaning. It’s like having a language expert at your beck and call. But it doesn’t end there. NLP allows voice assistants to learn from every interaction, becoming more intelligent over time.

          2. Personalized Recommendations

          AI algorithms can analyze user data to provide personalized recommendations in mobile apps by utilizing machine learning techniques:

          • Data Collection: Mobile apps collect user data through various means, such as user registrations, app usage tracking, explicit ratings, and implicit signals like clicks, views, and interactions.
          • User Profiling: Such data is used to create user profiles that capture individual preferences, interests, and behaviors. 
          • Pattern Recognition: AI algorithms can identify similarities based on factors like item attributes, past behavior, and user demographics.
          • Recommendation Generation: Based on the identified patterns, the algorithms generate personalized recommendations. For example, in a music app, the algorithm might suggest songs or artists similar to the user’s previous listening habits or recommend popular tracks among users with similar tastes.

          The benefits of personalized recommendations for user engagement and satisfaction are significant:

          • Enhanced User Experience: Users are more likely to discover new content they enjoy and spend more time using the app.
          • Improved Discovery: Personalized recommendations help users explore new music genres, discover new movies or shows, or find products that suit their tastes, leading to greater satisfaction.
          • Time and Effort Saving: With personalized recommendations, users can find relevant content more quickly and easily.
          • Increased User Retention: When users receive preferred recommendations, they are more likely to remain engaged with the app. 
          • Business Benefits: Personalized recommendations result in improved conversion rates and increased customer loyalty.

          3. Image and Video Recognition Tasks

          AI plays a crucial role in mobile apps across industries, including e-commerce, social media, entertainment, gaming, and more. For example:

          • Facial Recognition: This technology is widely used in mobile apps for various purposes, such as authentication, photo tagging, and personalization.
          • Object Detection: With AI algorithms, mobile apps leverage object detection for a range of purposes, such as visual search and safety features.
          • Augmented Reality (AR) Experiences: AI algorithms are employed in mobile apps to enable applications like virtual try-on for shopping, gaming, and navigation.

          Read Case Study: How Fingent helped build a unique mixed reality application for a leading university that enables users to identify people using facial recognition!

          Facial Recognition

          4. Intelligent Chatbots

          The integration of AI-powered chatbots in mobile apps revolutionizes customer support and interaction by enabling efficient and automated communication with users. Using AI algorithms, chatbots recognize the intent behind user queries and quickly search and retrieve relevant information to address user queries effectively.

          Success Stories

          Mobile apps have been able to enhance user satisfaction, drive revenue growth, and achieve operational efficiency, resulting in their success in the mobile app market. Here are some examples:

          1. Instagram

          Instagram, one of the “big three” social media platforms, utilizes AI algorithms to provide personalized content recommendations in the Explore tab. This greatly improves user engagement by helping users discover relevant posts and accounts. AI is also used for content moderation, and identifying and filtering out inappropriate or spammy content, thus creating a safer user environment.

          Impact: AI integration in Instagram has contributed to increased user engagement by facilitating content discovery and improving user safety by detecting and removing harmful content. Today it is 4th most used social media platform and 5th most visited website.

          2. Uber

          Uber, a ride-hailing platform, employs AI algorithms to optimize its dynamic pricing system. Machine learning models analyze supply and demand patterns, traffic conditions, and historical data to determine surge pricing, ensuring efficient allocation of drivers and meeting high-demand periods.

          Impact: AI integration in Uber enables efficient pricing strategies, ensuring the availability of drivers during peak demand and generating increased revenue for the company.

          In 2022, Uber experienced substantial growth with a revenue of $31.8 billion, marking an 82% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, the number of completed trips also saw an increase, with Uber drivers recording 7.6 billion trips, exceeding the previous peak of 6.9 billion trips in 2019. 

          3. Amazon

          Amazon, a leading e-commerce platform, extensively uses AI across its mobile app for personalized product recommendations, dynamic pricing, inventory management, and fraud detection.

          Impact: AI integration in the Amazon app has led to increased user engagement by providing relevant product suggestions, improved customer satisfaction through personalized experiences, optimized pricing strategies, and enhanced operational efficiency.

          In Amazon, it was observed that there is a 42% likelihood of a customer proceeding to a prospective product purchase. On the other hand, Walmart and Etsy have recorded figures of 16% and 13% respectively.

          Amazon’s Alexa has taken over the world’s smart speaker industry, by securing an impressive 26.4% market share.

          Emerging Trends in AI For Mobile Apps

          Emerging trends in AI for mobile apps are shaping the future of mobile app development. Here are two key trends:

          1. Edge Computing: Edge computing involves processing data locally on the device or in nearby edge servers, reducing the reliance on cloud computing. This trend enables AI-powered mobile apps to perform complex tasks and analysis directly on the device, leading to faster response times, enhanced privacy, and reduced dependency on internet connectivity.

          Implications: The increasing adoption of edge computing enables apps to respond quickly to user inputs, process sensor data in real-time, and provide immediate feedback, leading to faster and more seamless experiences.

          2. Federated Learning: Federated learning allows AI models to be trained collaboratively on decentralized data from multiple devices without transferring sensitive user data to the cloud. Each device performs local model training, and only model updates are exchanged, ensuring privacy and data security.

          Implications: Future advancements will likely include greater transparency, explainability, and fairness in AI algorithms to ensure user trust and mitigate potential biases or discriminatory outcomes.

          Personalize, Engage, and Future Proof with AI

          In this era of technological revolution, artificial intelligence stands as a beacon of innovation and possibility. AI integration in mobile apps offers compelling benefits such as personalized experiences, improved user engagement, increased efficiency, advanced functionalities, data-driven decision-making, competitive advantage, and future-proofing. 

          These reasons make AI integration a strategic choice for app developers looking to deliver exceptional user experiences and drive the success of their mobile app projects.

          By partnering with Fingent, you can leverage our expertise in AI and mobile app development to unlock the transformative potential of AI in your app projects. From custom travel apps to apps using AI enabled chatbots and virtual assistants, Fingent has created unique solutions for clients across the globe. Our commitment to delivering tailored solutions, adherence to data privacy, and end-to-end services make us an ideal choice for AI mobile app development.

          Contact us, the leading custom software development company, and let’s explore the possibilities together.

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            About the Author

            ...
            Tony Joseph

            Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

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              Today, technology unlocks the value of time, allowing us to easily juggle multiple tasks and accomplish much more in less time. For some time now, SAP has become the backbone of efficient business operations. It has helped many businesses streamline their operations and scale their business to never before imagined heights.

              Have you implemented SAP yet? If you have, then you must see firsthand how amazing it is! In this blog, we will help you maintain that awesomeness by giving you some great tips on managing and troubleshooting common SAP errors and issues.

              Why SAP Is No Longer An Option But A Necessity

              To manage current processes, many businesses still use a wide array of legacy software programs and possibly cloud apps to handle different procedures.

              Did you know: Enterprises add 1,061 applications on average to their ecosystem. – 2023 connectivity Benchmark Report by Mulesoft Research.

              In many organizations, it is common for separate departments to purchase and develop their own software solutions, operating independently of one another. This can lead to the use of multiple software programs within a department, which often lack the ability to integrate with each other.

              A 2023 connectivity Benchmark Report by Mulesoft Research shows that only 29% of the surveyed businesses’ applications are properly integrated.

              As a result, businesses may struggle to create a unified ecosystem that meets their current needs. To address this, audit your current toolkit and consider implementing a comprehensive ERP solution that can integrate various business operations. SAP solutions offer the ability to integrate these modular apps and create a more cohesive business system. By using a unified approach, businesses can improve their overall operations and drive growth.

              The report by Mulesoft Research further mentioned that only 36% of enterprises consider the lack of integration between siloed apps the biggest challenge to digital transformation. Now if you aren’t one of them and have already implemented SAP, that is commendable indeed!  –

              However, the SAP system can be quite intricate. Given that, issues and errors may arise due to various factors.

              Read more: Driving Business Modernization with SAP!

              Suggestions And Tips to Manage and Troubleshoot SAP Implementation Issues

              Here are some suggestions for common SAP errors and issues along with tips to manage and troubleshoot those issues effectively.

              Issue #1- Slow Performance

              Various aspects affect performance. These include network issues, database problems, or system overload. SAP performance issues, if ignored, can cause serious problems. To troubleshoot and manage this try the following steps:

              • Identify the source: Identify the component or area that is responsible for the slowness. You can do this by keeping a tab on SAP performance metrics like response times, resource usage, and so on.
              • Analyze logs and traces: Use tools provided by SAP to analyze logs and traces.
              • Monitor hardware and network components: Monitoring servers, storage devices, and network components can help ensure the hardware is adequately configured, updated, and optimized.
              • Check system performance: Check system performance periodically to identify trends and patterns.
              • Optimize database: Check for memory leaks and increase database cache if necessary. Perform regular maintenance tasks like defragmentation and indexing.

              Issue #2 – Authorization

              Authorization problems may arise if SAP users lack the necessary access to certain transactions or functions. Here are some steps you can take to address authorization issues:

              • Check who has what authorization: Confirm that users have the appropriate authorizations for the pertinent transactions and functions. The specified user needs a specific authorization object. Use the SE37 transaction or SE80 in test mode. The result table is very compact and easy to understand for authorization experts.

              To help solve authorization problems, you can ask yourself:

              1. What data did the user access to avail which function?
              2. What was the reaction of the system and how should it have reacted?
              3. How is the authorization check set up?
              • Verify if the roles and profiles match: Ensure user roles and profiles are correctly assigned.
              • Use the right tools: Utilize the authorization trace tool to identify any authorization problems.

              Issue #3 – Data Inconsistencies

              Data inconsistency problems can occur when data is incorrectly entered or updated in SAP. These issues fall into one or more categories such as unavailable data, internal inconsistency, inconsistent page, and inconsistent page set. To identify and troubleshoot data inconsistencies, try the following steps:

              • Identify: Identify the database and the table space that contain inconsistent data.
              • Prevent escalation of the problem: Limit access to the data before an attempt is made to resolve the inconsistency. Doing so prevents subsequent updates to the inconsistent data and thus prevents the problem from escalating.
              • Verify data: Verify if the data entered and updated is correct in SAP.
              • Search the data: Locate missing or duplicate data.
              • Use the right tools: Use the data consistency check tool to identify data inconsistencies.

              Issue #4 – ABAP Programming Errors

              ABAP programming errors can have many causes and can interrupt the program. The most common reasons for these errors are non-handled exceptions, or that a handleable exception was not handled, a non-handleable exception was raised, an exit message was sent, or an assertion failed.  Here is what you can do to troubleshoot the issue:

              • Analyze the error message: Read the error message carefully to understand the nature of the problem. Look for keywords or specific error codes that can provide insights into the issue.
              • Review the code: Examine the ABAP code where the error occurred. Pay attention to the line number mentioned in the error message. Check for syntax errors, missing or incorrect statements, or any potential logical issues.
              • Debug the code: Use the ABAP debugger to step through the code and identify the exact point where the error occurs. Set breakpoints in the code to stop execution at specific lines and observe variable values to pinpoint the problem.
              • Analyze data and variables: Evaluate the data and variables used in the code. Ensure they contain the expected values and are correctly assigned. Use data inspectors, watchpoints, or variable analysis tools to monitor their values during runtime.
              • Check system logs: Review system logs, such as the ABAP runtime error log (ST22 transaction), to gather additional information about the error. Look for any relevant entries that can provide clues about the root cause.
              • Apply software patches and updates: Ensure that your SAP system is up-to-date with the latest patches and updates. Some errors might be resolved by applying the relevant software fixes provided by SAP.

              Issue #5 – Integration Issues

              Integration issues occur when there are issues with data exchange between SAP and other systems. To troubleshoot integration issues, try the following steps:

              • Identify the scope and symptoms: Clearly define the integration problem you are facing and identify the specific symptoms. For example, determine if it’s a data transfer issue, communication problem, or functional discrepancy.
              • Review integration configurations: Verify the integration settings and configurations in both the sending and receiving systems. Check the integration points, interfaces, message types, mappings, and adapters to ensure they are correctly set up.
              • Check system connectivity: Validate the connectivity between the systems involved in the integration. Ensure that network connections, firewalls, and communication channels are properly configured and accessible.
              • Analyze error messages and logs: Examine error messages, log files, and monitoring tools specific to the integration scenario. SAP provides various tools like SAP PI/PO monitoring, SAP AIF, or SAP CPI for monitoring and error analysis. Analyze the messages and logs to identify any error codes, timestamps, or specific details that can help pinpoint the issue.
              • Collaborate with integration partners: Engage with the stakeholders involved in the integration, such as functional consultants, technical teams, or external partners. Collaborate to understand their system configurations, share information, and jointly troubleshoot the issue.

              Read more: Top Business Benefits to Gain with Fingent’s SAP AMS Services!

              SAP AMS

              How Can Fingent Help

              Automating the monitoring and optimization of SAP performance can significantly enhance your enterprise operations. It is a positive step towards maximizing productivity and efficiency. As a trusted industry leader, Fingent can assist you in optimizing your SAP system and other relevant tools to ensure they function seamlessly within your enterprise.

              To avoid costly performance and security issues associated with SAP systems, it is advisable to consult our experienced SAP experts. At Fingent, we are proficient in tailoring SAP solutions to meet the unique need of your enterprise. Our team is equipped with global expertise in implementing SAP solutions across various industries and business sizes.

              Contact us today to explore your SAP options and benefit from a seamless implementation that aligns with your enterprise requirements.

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                About the Author

                ...
                Ashok Kumar

                Ashok leads Fingent’s SAP Consulting practice for ANZ, SE Asia, The Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and other global clients. More specifically, he helps companies improve operational efficiency by enhancing their digital cores and improving their application integration. Ashok has amassed over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience having worked with Global giants like SAP, IBM Consulting, Capgemini, & Oracle in his previous assignments. Connect with Ashok via LinkedIn and learn how your business can excel with recent SAP trends.

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                  “Cloud computing is really a no-brainer for any start-up because it allows you to test your business plan very quickly for little money. Every start-up, or even a division within a company that has an idea for something new, should be figuring out how to use cloud computing in its plan.” – Brad Jefferson, Animoto CEO.

                  Cloud Application Development, originally known as the modern cloud, was first invented in the 2000s. Today, “The Cloud” denotes servers that can be accessed through the Internet and the crux software and databases that are the backbone of those servers.

                  The cloud has consistently grown from its genesis and is currently the backbone of many leading organizations. In this article, we will look at Cloud Applications developments, their basic framework, advantages, best practices, challenges, and benefits.

                  What Is Cloud Computing? 

                  As the name suggests, cloud computing is the distribution of various software services and the ability to access them proffered by cloud service providers to users or customers over the internet. These infrastructures include tools and applications like software, servers, data storage, networking, artificial intelligence, analytics, and databases. They essentially provide faster progress, more flexibility, and drastically reduce operational costs.

                  Read more: Choosing the right Cloud Service Model for your business – IaaS, PaaS, SaaS.

                  Cloud computing

                  Types Of Cloud Services 

                  There are three main types of cloud settings that are used widely for their efficiency and are generally referred to as “models for cloud development.”

                  1. IaaS –

                  Infrastructure-as-a-Service offers access to essential network structures on the cloud, like storage space, virtual servers, links, and networks for enterprises. All of this can be done without the business needing to purchase or maintain the internet infrastructure.

                  IaaS is also the oldest and most basic cloud computing model. Examples of businesses that utilize IaaS include Google Compute Engine, Azure Virtual Machines, and AWS EC2.

                  2. PaaS –

                  In Platform-as-a-Service service, developers can build or create a cloud application development framework and customize the software however they desire. In the PaaS model, software developers or services rent a cloud solutions company to develop an application.

                  The cloud solutions company then uses the infrastructure and operating systems to create development tools that offer better computing, database, memory, and data storage. Some examples of PaaS providers are Windows Azure and AWS.

                  3. SaaS –

                  Lastly, the Software-as-a-Service model delivers cloud software that grants users access to the internet without needing to install or maintain them.  It is well known for its applications that can be built or developed even on a local terminal and deployed to a cloud-based server. Slack, MailChimp, Gmail, and Salesforce are a few examples of SaaS products.

                  Benefits Of Cloud Computing 

                  Cloud Computing is by far the most cost-effective path that small or large organizations can take. Saving as much money as possible and cutting costs is a vital requisite for any business, and Cloud Computing can evidently help there. Aside from this, Cloud Computing also has other benefits:

                  1. High Availability

                  High availability in a system is undoubtedly a strong benefit for an organization as it will face negligible downtime. Downtime in cloud-based services is counted in seconds instead of minutes or hours.

                  “The primary benefit of moving an organization’s services to the cloud is near real-time deployment capabilities in a highly available architecture.” – John Breth Founder/Managing Principal at J.B.C.

                  2. Faster time to market

                  In a cloud-based application, developers can create new instances or retire them in mere seconds, allowing them to efficiently accelerate development with quick deployments. Cloud computing also supports new innovations and provides a platform for the easy testing of new ideas and designs without hardware limitations or slow retention processes.

                  3. Reliability

                  Reliability refers to how well a service can keep up with the promises it makes while performing tasks. It also fortifies highly available databases from randomly corrupting data records or deleting reports. Cloud computing proffers regular upgrades, updates, and damage control patches and tests its applications to make sure its services are perfect as promised.

                  4. Data loss prevention

                  Data loss is a major headache for most organizations and can lead to many complications, but Cloud computing can help here as well. With cloud computing, your data backup is up-to-date and disaster recovery is exceptionally fast. Uploading data into the cloud for storage can help prevent data loss even during emergencies, such as hardware malfunction, malicious cyber attacks, or simple user errors.

                  5. Automation

                  A great vantage in the world of technology is automation. This makes machines with quick automation a highly sought-after commodity. Every Google Cloud, IBM, AWS, and Azure product has a built-in API interface that makes it programable. Developers simply need to create, configure and demolish cloud-based resources with Software Development Kits (SDKs) written in Java, Python, JavaScript, and C++.

                  What is Cloud Application Development? 

                  Now that we know the amazing benefits of the Cloud, let’s get into what Cloud Application Development is.

                  Cloud Application Development essentially is the creating, testing, deploying, and running of software services in the cloud. They are called cloud software because these applications are built in a cloud-based environment. Cloud Application Development involves various stages of software development; each of these stages devises the application to go live and hit the market successfully.

                  The biggest beneficiaries of cloud applications are business owners. This technology allows businesses to simplify their operations and gradually enhances their bottom line. Cloud-based applications also provide flexibility and enable you to adapt to the latest business trends in order to keep up with competition. Hence, most businesses have started to transition from on-premise to cloud-based software development methods.

                  Read more: Cloud Native: The Modern Way To Develop Software

                  cloud native

                  Cloud Application Development Framework 

                  Cloud App Development Framework is the tools and technologies needed to create, control, and administer cloud applications. The tools provided by Cloud Application Development Framework include developmental tools, middleware technology, administration managing software, and various other Cloud Applications.

                  Some of the more popular Cloud Application Development Frameworks are:

                  1. Java

                  Java frameworks, such as J2EE, Hibernate, and Spring are generally used by beginners because these frameworks make the whole development of strong cloud computing applications process very easy.

                  2. Azure

                  Azure is a famous platform that provides excellent security to cloud computing applications. Developers using this framework can easily integrate applications, systems, and data.

                  3. Google Cloud

                  The Google Cloud Architecture Framework is most famous for its best practices of secure, efficient, resilient, high-performing, and cost-effective applications.

                  Advantages Of Cloud Application Development

                  There are many advantages of Cloud Application Development but listed below are 5 of the most important and prominent ones:

                  1. Scalability

                  Scalability in terms of Cloud Computing refers to the ability of the application to increase or decrease IT resources when demands change. It is one of the greatest features of the cloud as it allows users to scale many machines and processing power simultaneously, making it a highly flexible service.

                  2. Cost Effectiveness

                  Business owners should be very mindful of their expenses and making smart decisions in order to curb extravagant expenses should be second nature to them. Cloud Application Development is extremely cost-effective as it follows a pay-as-you-go technique. Here the costs of using the cloud application are reflected directly in the needs of the customer, making the initial transition to a cloud service less complicated and pocket-friendly.

                  3. Security

                  The Cloud is widely famous for its airtight security and the secret lies in its method of data encryption and transfer of data over networks and storage databases. A report by RapidScale claimed that 94% of businesses noticed a big jump in security after switching to Cloud Computing Applications, and 91% stated that the Cloud makes it easier to abide by government compliance requirements.

                  4. Flexibility

                  Cloud Application Development proffers organizations with extreme flexibility and overall agility. Its top-notch flexibility and improved freedom make a significant impression on the overall efficiency of an organization. A survey conducted by InformationWeek said that “65% majority of respondents stated that the ability to quickly meet business demands was the most important reason a business should transition to a cloud-based environment.”

                  5. Accessibility

                  Due to its previously discussed scalability and flexibility, Cloud Application Development is highly accessible. The Cloud grants users the ability to quickly and easily use and store information anywhere on the internet. An internet cloud infrastructure is reportedly known for increasing an organization’s overall productivity and efficiency simply by making its data easily accessible.

                  Best Practices For Cloud Application Development 

                  The better a Cloud Application Development process is, the more resilient and reliable its application is most likely to be: 

                  • Understanding Business Needs And Requirements: 

                  It is very important to first analyze your business needs and requirements before making any drastic investments. Understand the premise of your technological needs and check your organization’s budget before making the transition to cloud-based application development. 

                  • Leveraging The Right Cloud Services And Tools:

                  Leverage your option in Cloud Services and look for the most beneficial and trustworthy service. Each service has its own data and supports a specific business goal. Ensure that these goals align with your own business goals. 

                  • Building For Scalability And Flexibility:

                  Remember to keep maximum scalability and flexibility in mind when developing your Cloud Application. We have already seen how important these two factors are when it comes to the overall success of a business. 

                  • Emphasizing Security: 

                  Security of the highest quality is the most important factor when developing a cloud application. Secure your business data and emphasize to your partner the importance of data protection. Look for solutions that will respect your need for top-notch security and will provide it perfectly. 

                  • Implementing Automation And Monitoring Tools: 

                  Artificial Intelligence and many more emerging technologies are on the brink of changing the course of the world completely. Ensure to reap the benefits of these technologies as much as you can while developing a cloud application. These technologies can acutely benefit with automation and monitoring of cloud-based applications. 

                  Challenges In Cloud Application Development 

                  Just like any internet application, even cloud applications have their fair share of challenges during development. Listed below are a few of those challenges:

                  1. Security and Compliance

                  Security and Compliance of information is the biggest challenge in cloud application development because of its complicated nature and various operating conditions. These security issues can be rectified by employing encryption, security hardware, and security applications. Users should never cut corners when it comes to security practices when developing a new Cloud Application.

                  2. Integration With Legacy Systems

                  Since enterprise solutions have new applications that replace the legacy side of older applications and since these legacy systems were built without an API approach, it results in the older applications not being able to process newer, more modern technology applications such as IoT apps, Saas apps, and other similar applications.

                  3. Resource Management

                  The scale of modern data centers, the diversity of resource types, and their independent features, and in addition to this, the wide range of objectivities differ from one cloud ecosystem to another. All of these factors, put together, create a wedge in resource management.

                  4. Choosing The Right Cloud Service Provider

                  Finding a cloud service provider that is good at communicating and interpreting your business needs is rare but integral. It does not matter how long you take to find this perfect partner, patiently scrutinize all your options and look for a capable service provider.

                  Best Practices For Cloud Application Development

                  The better a Cloud Application Development process is, the more resilient and reliable its application is most likely to be:

                  1. Understanding Business Needs And Requirements

                  It is very important to first analyze your business needs and requirements before making any drastic investments. Understand the premise of your technological needs and check your organization’s budget before making the transition to cloud-based application development.

                  2. Leveraging The Right Cloud Services And Tools

                  Leverage your option in Cloud Services and look for the most beneficial and trustworthy service. Each service has its own data and supports a specific business goal. Ensure that these goals align with your own business goals.

                  3. Building For Scalability And Flexibility

                  Remember to keep maximum scalability and flexibility in mind when developing your Cloud Application. We have already seen how important these two factors are when it comes to the overall success of a business.

                  4. Emphasizing Security

                  The highest quality security is the most important factor when developing a cloud application. Secure your business data and emphasize the importance of data protection to your partner. Look for solutions that will respect your need for top-notch security and will provide it perfectly.

                  5. Implementing Automation And Monitoring Tools

                  Artificial Intelligence and many more emerging technologies are on the brink of changing the course of the world completely. Ensure to reap the benefits of these technologies as much as you can while developing a cloud application. These technologies can acutely benefit with automation and monitoring of cloud-based applications.

                  Use cases – Cloud Application Development

                  1. Enterprise Applications

                  Major examples of Enterprise Applications are Enterprise Dynamics 365, WordPress, and BambooHR, among many others.

                  2. Mobile Applications

                  Amazon, Shopify etc, are examples of mobile cloud computing and when we use our phones or tablets to track our account balance or make a purchase on e-commerce platforms, we interact with these applications.

                  3. IoT Applications

                  IoT device systems, including Google Nest or Alexa, are examples of IoT applications running on a cloud base. They collect data on the house’s energy usage, analyze the gathered data and make suitable suggestions to the homeowner on how to manage energy consumption.

                  4. E-commerce Application

                  Elastic Beanstalk from Amazon Web Services is used for its online storefront, web apps, and API structure. With this application, online vendors need not know anything about network maintenance to launch and control customized applications quickly.

                  How Can Fingent Help?

                  Fingent top custom software development company is a world-renowned service provider with stable markets and satisfied customers on four continents. Our experts utilize the latest and fast-emerging advanced technology to make your project development process easy and flawless. Their experience in cloud-based technology will aid your business in exploiting all aspects of the cloud. We have our own unique approach to developing a cloud application and have countless customers with happy reviews to back them up. Give us a call, and let us get talking.

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                    About the Author

                    ...
                    Vinod Saratchandran

                    Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

                    Talk To Our Experts

                      Are you a business owner who is in a quandary about migrating your business to SAP S/4HANA? Do you do it now, or do you wait? Here’s some help!

                      Most business owners are moving toward SAP S/4HANA at their own pace. Most businesses put away migration due to the lack of urgency. For one thing, they feel that the discontinuation deadline of support ERP support is four years away (2027). Not all agree, though.

                      24% of businesses are already using SAP S/4HANA.

                      If this isn’t reason enough, a business should move to SAP S/4HANA to make the project worthwhile on all fronts: SAP S/4HANA is a prerequisite for completing your digital transformation. Without that transformation, you will be left behind your competitors. Worse yet, you will be behind where your users expect and need you to be.

                      SAP S/4HANA is not just a technical upgrade, it is a business transformation. So, you should not be asking, do it now or wait. Instead, remember the current scenario: it is now or never!

                      Takeaway: the longer you wait to migrate to SAP S/4HANA, the farther you will fall behind your competitors.

                      Read more: Strategizing a successful SAP S/4HANA Migration for your business

                      SAP S/4HANA Migration

                      Top 10 Reasons Why You Must Migrate Now

                      The reasons for migration are compelling because the benefits are significant. With S/4HANA, companies can focus on growth and expansion without worrying about the technical aspects of integrating various IT systems.

                      The benefits of S/4HANA are countless, and it is time for your business to unlock its full potential. Join the league of agile and adaptable businesses today by incorporating S/4HANA into your business model.

                      Did you know: Increased revenue from functionality enabled by SAP S4HANA resulted in a net profit of 25.2 million?

                      1. Better Integration and An Intuitive User Experience 

                      S/4HANA comes with a sleek and user-friendly interface that makes it easy for businesses to design custom apps that work seamlessly across various devices. For instance, a company can create separate apps for sales inquiry, order overview, and sales fulfillment and then grant access to these apps based on the user’s role.

                      S/4HANA makes it simple to deploy one or many apps across different departments and functions, including sales, human resources, finance, and much more. With better integrations and an intuitive experience, S/4HANA is a smart choice for organizations looking to streamline their operations and boost productivity.

                      Did you know: Customer retention valued at 8.4 million was made possible due to the capabilities enabled by SAP S/4HANA?

                      2. Real-Time Analytics

                      One of any business’s top priorities is access to real-time data. Real-time data can help provide actionable insights on everything – from user behavior and user interactions to business intelligence.

                      Using a mechanism called a virtual data model, SAP S/4HANA can transform on-the-fly data optimized for transactional purposes into an analytics-ready structure. This solution can benefit users in business processes as they need valuable and relevant insights to help them make the right data-driven decisions on the fly.

                      SAP S/4HANA Embedded Analytics offers users a fantastic advantage by offering a plethora of preconfigured Business Content in the form of KPIs, analytical reports, predictive and planning scenarios, dashboards, and multidimensional reports that are like advanced pivot tables. This wealth of resources makes it incredibly user-friendly by providing ready-to-use solutions that cater to specific business requirements.

                      Did you know: Increased revenue from functionality enabled by SAP S4HANA resulted in a net profit of 25.2 million?

                      3. Enhanced Mobility

                      S/4HANA is the key to agility and flexibility in the business world. With its easy-to-use interface and flexible deployment options, the system allows companies to seamlessly update their business processes. Add a new sales channel, acquire a new company, or undergo a merger – S/4HANA can handle it all.

                      Let’s take the example of a company that has acquired another company that uses SAP and non-SAP IT systems. In the past, aggregating data, indexing, and integrating it would have been a daunting task. However, with S/4HANA, the integration process has become seamless and effortless. The system provides an option to bring the system into the SAP cloud without needing to integrate them. Businesses can leverage applications like Simple Finance to aggregate data from all of their acquisitions and subsidiaries without any hassle.

                      Did you know: Reduced run times are valued at over 2.1 million?

                      4. Simplified Landscape

                      SAP S/4HANA has revolutionized the business world by offering a simplified landscape. Businesses can now reduce complexity and streamline operations, thanks to this innovative solution. With SAP S/4HANA, companies can manage their IT infrastructure with ease, freeing up resources to focus on core business activities. From analytics to supply chain management, SAP S/4HANA provides all the support a business needs in a simple, intuitive package.

                      Furthermore, the system is cloud-ready, meaning that businesses can have access to the latest technologies and innovations without having to continuously upgrade their systems. SAP S/4HANA offers rich functionality and data analytics capabilities, providing businesses with real-time access to critical information and insights.

                      With a simplified landscape, companies can focus on their business objectives and drive growth, without worrying about the complexity of their IT infrastructure. In conclusion, SAP S/4HANA is the future of business systems. A simplified landscape is the first step toward unlocking the full value of the system and is becoming increasingly necessary. SAP S/4HANA is the perfect solution for businesses seeking a simplified IT environment that is scalable, intuitive, and functional.

                      Did you know: Increased productivity of IT organization employees is worth $442,971?

                      5. Advanced Automation

                      With S/4HANA, businesses can say goodbye to boring, repetitive tasks thanks to the Robotic Process Automation solutions that automate these mundane tasks. This leaves employees with more time to work on important tasks that require special attention. To make things even better, there are over 150 RPA bots available to use with S/4HANA. The integration of AI and ML technologies can provide intelligent insights into data collected from automation, taking things to the next level.

                      6. Better Data Management

                      If you run a business, you know how important database management is. Well, with SAP, you can take a deep breath and relax. They got you covered with a bunch of solutions made to make your IT environment even more manageable.

                      For example, with SAP HANA database administration, all your SAP ERP data is under lock and key and constantly being checked for optimization. You will never have to worry about it being unavailable.

                      7. Improved Integration

                      Preparing financial reports for a multinational company with multiple subsidiaries is not an easy job. It is tedious to connect with different groups, collect data and prepare reports. However, with S/4HANA you can easily connect with other people and groups and close books faster. Improved integration enables you to monitor, access, and analyze data from different groups.

                      Did you know: Accelerated cash flow managing customer orders valued at $439,675?

                      8. Greater Scalability

                      As a business grows, it’s crucial to ensure that data storage, access, and processing capabilities are able to scale accordingly. Fortunately, SAP S/4HANA offers a valuable advantage in this area with its ability to easily scale based on concurrent users and associated data volume across various network environments. This means that businesses are able to expand their data models without the concern of decreased performance. With SAP S/4HANA data growth will not impede a business’s ability to keep up with demand.

                      Did you know: Simplified accounting accelerated collection worth 1.1 million?

                      9. Enhanced Security

                      SAP S/4HANA is known for its exceptional data and application security, making it a top choice for many organizations. Additionally, the platform offers secure setups and other benefits. Moreover, privacy features enable compliance with regulatory and compliance requirements.

                      10. Future-proof your business

                      SAP S/4HANA is a cutting-edge platform created to cater to contemporary businesses’ and future demands. Its state-of-the-art features will enable businesses to stay adaptable and keep up with the ever-changing business environment, ensuring they stay competitive.

                      Read more: SAP ECC vs SAP S/4HANA – What should be the next move for your business?

                      SAP S/4HANA

                      How Can Fingent Help

                      From vision to design and delivery to maintenance, Fingent can help bring end-to-end expertise to your business’s digital transformation challenge with SAP S/4HANA. Our team can assist in transforming your strategic goals into a digital framework that streamlines your procedures and simultaneously triggers future innovation.

                      We offer a range of services, from implementing new systems to converting and consolidating existing SAP Business Suite systems. Our expertise in strategy and delivery enables us to join your journey at any stage, producing a sustainable platform that facilitates the growth of your business. Reach out to us today and let’s get started on this amazing transformation.

                      Stay up to date on what's new

                        About the Author

                        ...
                        Ashok Kumar

                        Ashok leads Fingent’s SAP Consulting practice for ANZ, SE Asia, The Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and other global clients. More specifically, he helps companies improve operational efficiency by enhancing their digital cores and improving their application integration. Ashok has amassed over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience having worked with Global giants like SAP, IBM Consulting, Capgemini, & Oracle in his previous assignments. Connect with Ashok via LinkedIn and learn how your business can excel with recent SAP trends.

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                          “A simple rule: always give people more than they expect.”    –  Nelson Boswell 

                          The cycle of business starts and ends with customers. Keeping them satisfied and happy is the number one rule of any business that dreams of being successful. Customer needs and expectations never cease, so businesses should always be prepared to meet and exceed their needs. Artificial Intelligence has been a substantial help in this area since the late 19th century, and it consistently finds new innovative ways to amplify its presence in modern businesses.

                          Meeting Customer Needs and Exceeding Expectations

                          Recent research reported that a good number of executives have already planned to invest more in rising technology to gain a competitive advantage. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, almost all businesses were forced to move to an online platform to survive, further underscoring the need to adopt AI technology.

                          It is extremely imperative to recognize and address the needs, desires, and emotions of people which change from moment to moment. Businesses have to provide their customers and clients with care beyond purchases and respond to the intricacies in their lives. In a world that moves forward so fast, it’s best not to fall behind.

                          Read more: Realizing Self- Service in Modern Customer Experiences

                          self-service

                          What Is Artificial Intelligence and How Does It Impact Customer Experience?

                          The textbook definition of Artificial Intelligence is – a semblance of human-like intelligence processed by machines, especially computer systems. AI is used by developers to:

                          • efficiently perform mundane tasks that humans otherwise do.
                          • connect with customers.
                          • recognize patterns.
                          • solve problems.

                          AI Customer experience is when artificial intelligence tools are used to learn about customers and improve their business experience. The AI technologies that are famously emerging include machine learning, natural language processing, automation, chatbots, virtual assistants, and even enhanced customer experience platforms.

                          There are three major ways in which AI impacts Customer Experience –

                          1. Better Understanding Of Customer

                          Artificial Intelligence combined with machine learning enhances the gathering and analyzing of social and factual data of customers, which then facilitates businesses to gain an accurate understanding of their customers. AI is known for continuously learning and improving from the data it surveys. This enables it to predict customer behavior perfectly.

                          2. Real-time Decision Making

                          Making decisions in real-time is the ability of AI to collect fresh data from current interaction with a customer and make a decision with near-zero delay. It is a very effective marketing strategy and often leads to predictive analysis, which is the process of analyzing statistics, data mining, and modeling to make accurate predictions.

                          3. Hyper-Personalization

                          Artificial Intelligence, along with all its advanced technologies, proffers content that is specifically relevant to the customer. This eradicates the need to search for services the customer requires manually and adds a layer of comfort to the business and its customization techniques.

                          Top Ways Businesses Use AI To Tweak Customer Experience

                          Following are the top 8 utilities that Artificial Intelligence provides to boost customer experience –

                          1. Personalization

                          Businesses can easily gain a clear picture of their customer preferences and requirements by using AI and ML technologies which acquire and analyzes social, factual, and behavioral data. AI is built to predict client behavior by regularly surveying and improving the data it collects. This facilitates companies to analyze customer demographics and personal preferences. This, in turn, highlights the relevant products and resources during the browsing process.

                          2. Chatbots

                          A chatbot is a conversational AI using machine learning and natural language processing. It is automated and programmed to pretend to be human and carry out programming tasks based on specific triggers. Its unique ability is to conveniently and efficiently generate conversations between two people.

                          The most commonly found type of chatbot is a “question-answer bot” —this form of chatbot refrains from using advanced artificial intelligence but instead accesses a smaller knowledge base and utilizes pattern recognition.

                          Artificial Intelligence powered Chatbots make a business’s presence accomplished by allowing customers to find what they are looking for while simultaneously delivering a seamless experience.

                          Did You Know: 35% of customers want to see chatbots being used more often to improve communication and offer a better experience overall.

                          The best examples of Chatbots are – Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, and Google Assistant.

                          Using simple rules and past interactions, bots provide insightful replies to any query, making their responses accurate, short, and creative.

                          3. Predictive Analysis

                          Predictive analytics, by definition, is to use data collected to predict a business’s future. It utilizes statistical algorithms blended with internal and external data to foresee future trends, ultimately enabling businesses to optimize inventory, enhance delivery times, boost sales, and reduce operational costs. A more accurate and punctual prediction occurs when Artificial Intelligence is added to the mix. Predictive analytics can be used by advanced analytics tools and machine learning models across any industry or business function.

                          4. Voice Recognition

                          The voice recognition model functions purely with the aid of AI to

                          • analyze the user’s voice and language,
                          • learn the words spoken,
                          • and then bring forth outputs with transcription accuracy as text data on a screen or model content.

                          With the help of this technology, devices can interact and respond to human questions in uncannily natural language.

                          With the ability to understand and converse with human language, Voice AI has opened up great opportunities for businesses to serve their customers better. It efficiently speeds up processes, increases productivity, and scales operations.

                          Approximately 55% of virtual assistant users prefer speech recognition apps be they proffer a complete hands-off operation of devices.

                          Examples of businesses that integrated AI for voice recognition and have successfully replaced touch-screen devices are – Amazon Echo, Siri, Google Assistant, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and a few others.

                          5. Sentiment Analysis

                          A sentiment analysis system collects specific customer feedback and uses it to improve company products and services. When AI technologies are fused with this system, it can identify objects or situations that customers feel any negative emotions towards as expressed in text. AI understands the undertone of a statement rather than simply noting a negative or positive connotation.

                          Sentiment Analysis is majorly utilized by marketers to better understand their consumers’ sentiments, beliefs, and motives perfectly to make advertising to specific groups effective. It has a wide array of benefits ranging from patient insights and online reputation management to competitor analysis and product development.

                          Almost all social media platforms use Sentiment Analytics powered by AI. This way brands and companies can keep track of the content being shared and censor or filter content that could evoke negative emotions and cause problems.

                          6. Customer Journey Mapping

                          A customer journey map as the name suggests, is essentially the visual representation of the customer’s journey from brand discovery to purchase and post-purchase. It enables businesses to retrace a customer’s footsteps and see where their services might need any improvements or upgrades.

                          All through this journey, AI and Machine Learning play a vital role in ensuring a headache-free shopping experience. There are three essential stages to customer shopping: the Pre-Purchase, purchase, and post-purchase. With the assistance of AI and ML, customers thread these maps and help brands analyze and prioritize activities that impact customers, boosting internal collaboration and coordination.

                          The benefits of creating a customer journey map are that it helps:

                          • streamline the customer experience,
                          • optimize customer service costs,
                          • accelerate proactive sales solutions to customer problems, and lastly, boost customer retention rate.

                          Examples of businesses using customer journey mapping are – Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, Starbucks, and Nike.

                          7. Fraud Detection

                          Fraud detection is another surprising area that AI has a distinguished hold over. AI can work with internal security to help organizations improve and protect corporate activities. Businesses can use AI to examine large quantities of exchanges and unravel misrepresentation patterns.

                          In the case of online fraud detection and prevention, machine learning consists of a collection of AI algorithms that are specially trained with the company’s data to suggest risk rules. The business owner can then enforce the rules to block or allow certain user actions, such as suspicious logins, identity theft, or sketchy transactions.

                          When fraud detection is handed over to AI and Machine Learning, businesses reap great benefits like – faster and more effective detection, reduced manual review time, faster predictions with bigger databases, and cost-effective solutions.

                          8. Personal Data Protection

                          AI and Data Protection are like two sides of the same coin; both are very important, and one cannot progress without the other. We all see and know that AI technology is advancing rapidly; it raises important questions about the use of personal data and the protection and storage of said data in AI systems.

                          AI is frequently used to minimize the risk of privacy breaches by encrypting personal data and detecting potential cybercrime incidents. It is, therefore, pivotal for businesses to maintain a balance between technological advancements and artificial intelligence with respect for data protection rules and guidelines.

                          The main benefit of Data Protection Artificial Intelligence is the elimination of human errors and its keen sense for spotting new trends and patterns.

                          Amazon, Apple, Facebook, IBM, Microsoft, and many other grandiose organizations have implemented this system, and many more are predicted to follow.

                          Read more: How AI and ML are reshaping customer experience.

                          AI and ML

                          AI In Action – Use Cases

                          AI has been implemented in virtually every facet of our lives and in every industry imaginable. Here are 3 Use Cases that will give you a gist of how they can be applied successfully.

                          1. Chatbots Creating Engaging Learning Experiences

                          Learning experiences become unique and personalized when the right assistance is provided at each stage of learning. That’s where leading educational institutions are now deploying Automated Intelligence-driven ecosystems to facilitate students to interact with AI-enabled Teaching Assistants (AiTA). The system, when tightly integrated with other Teaching Assistant Bots, enables improved interaction, easy instructor-led training, and enhnaces student-instructor relationship.

                          2. Simplifying Claims Management for Legal Firms

                          A typical compensation claims processing takes up to three years for case settlement costing an average of $85000. It’s often challenging for legal firms to balance time, money, and the cases in hand. That’s why they are now implementing AI and machine learning to improve performance efficiency. Utilizing AI and machine learning to settle claims can help legal firms reduce costs up to 57%.

                          3. Netflix Gets You!

                          Netflix is the largest streaming platform, with more than 200 million customers globally. It gained a majority of its popularity due to its personalization feature. This streaming service uses AI to create a personalized home screen interface for individual subscribers and accounts. When viewers create a new account, they are directed to pick a few of their favorite TV series and movies. The AI at the crux of Netflix analyzes the data fed to it and provides recommendations similar to the favorites picked by the user. It continues to customize the suggestions displayed based on what the user watches.

                          4. Rolls-Royce Rolls Out Smart, Responsible Manufacturing

                          To exemplify the impact of AI on Predictive Analytics, we can look at Rolls-Royce, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of aircraft engines. It deployed predictive analytics to help drastically reduce the amount of carbon produced in its engine’s product while simultaneously optimizing maintenance to assist clients and keep their planes flying longer.

                          5. Ask Julie!

                          Ask Julie” is Amtrak’s virtual assistant. Amtrak, the national passenger railroad company of the United States has implemented this chatbot to the best advantage. Ask Julie has successfully helped provide Amtrak provide a seamless customer experience to “over 375,000 customers on their website each day and over 30 million passengers on over 300 trains each year.” The result – an 8X return on investment, more effective customer services. and reduced email costs.

                          Finding The Right AI Partner – A Few Tips

                          Digitalizing a business can be very daunting, especially when you want to integrate Artificial Intelligence into its core. Finding a partner who understands you and can communicate well with you is quite hard to find, but you must not give up hope! Keep looking because it is better to spend a little more at the start and have a quality setup rather than spend less and have a wobbly foundation that could jeopardize your whole AI implementation. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while looking for a capable AI partner –

                          1. Priorities

                          When looking for your potential AI partners, choose someone who can help the business and its employees prioritize and manage workloads.

                          2. Comprehend The Difference Between Machine Learning And Artificial Intelligence

                          Although the two may sound like they perform the same functions, do not be fooled. They each have their own region of expertise so look for someone who acknowledges that.

                          3. Invest In The Right Tools

                          In the current economy, businesses can not afford to splurge money on luxuries. Pick a partner who understands your company’s budget and can plan a perfect setup for you.

                          How Fingent Can Help Seamlessly Leverage AI For Customer Experience 

                          Artificial Intelligence is a wide ocean of opportunities, if you have the right swimming gear, you can glide on its surface. Making the right decisions and trusting the right people with your projects should not be taken lightly. Fingent is committed to providing impactful software solutions to meet business goals seamlessly. Our certified experts focus on client-centered transparency and offer complete services with a wide range of Artificial Intelligence capabilities. Our team can boost your business to be more efficient and robust through intelligent technology. We have nearly two decades of experience and completely understand our client’s needs and requirements. Give us a call and let us know how we can help you.

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                            About the Author

                            ...
                            Tony Joseph

                            Tony believes in building technology around processes, rather than building processes around technology. He specializes in custom software development, especially in analyzing processes, refining it and then building technology around it.He works with clients on a daily basis to understand and analyze their operational structure, discover (and not invent) key improvement areas and come up with technology solutions to deliver an efficient process.

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                              A technology’s light shines brightest when it strives to consistently evolve and cater to the needs of society. In today’s world, running a successful business has become quite a challenge. Organizing all its vital and smaller processes into a unified system can be immensely helpful to business owners. SAP swiftly comes to the rescue here. It is also evidently evolving to reliably meet the needs and demands of modern businesses. In this article we will take a deeper look into these progressions and how they benefit a business.

                              What is SAP?

                              SAP is expanded to “Systems Applications and Products in Data Processing”. It was first developed in 1971 by IBM engineers. It integrates and stores common information while ensuring that data flows deftly from one component to another without the need for unnecessary data interference.

                              SAP is currently topping the charts as the best ERP software and houses hundreds of fully integrated modules overlaying various aspects of business management. There are essentially 2 Types of SAP ERP system Modules: Functional Modules and Technical Modules. Each module focuses on essential business functions, from human capital management and production planning to plant maintenance and quality management.

                              The Impact of SAP on Modern Business 

                              SAP ERP has a prodigious impact on business management. It houses features that are helpful in every aspect of running a business. It isn’t news that organizations depend deeply on technological tools to collect and rapidly analyze data with an aim to deliver insights into the performance of the business.

                              SAP S/4HANA is currently used by more than 28 thousand organizations around the globe to process complex data and deliver realistic insights in real time through custom applications and innovative use cases. Listed below are a few fields that are indented by SAP ERP:

                              1. Retail

                              Inside the retail industry, S/4HANA specifically thrives as it extends real-time visibility into supply chain operations, ensuring that retailers can manage inventory levels better and boost customer satisfaction. With S/4HANA, retailers track product availability with ease and improve delivery times.

                              Adidas exemplified this when it installed S/4HANA to streamline its finances and supply chain processes aiding the brand to delivery more personalized customer experiences such as product and fit recommendations.

                              2. Consumer Goods

                              S/4HANA causes impressive impacts in the field of consumer goods. It qualifies organizations to efficiently manage product development, production, reduced costs, and distribution processes. Companies using S/4HANA are better at tracking product quality, reducing production errors, and ultimately improving supply chain efficiency.

                              3. Life Sciences

                              Life Science is probably the best field to witness SAP ERP technological tools’ magic. This industry uses S/4HANA to access real-time visibility into research and development processes, manage R&D pipelines and bring new products to market more quickly. With S/4HANA, life sciences organizations have the power to better manage their regulatory compliance requirements, refine data collection accuracy, and reduce time-to-market for new products.

                              A global pharmaceutical company titled – Boehringer Ingelheim, successfully implemented S/4HANA in order to better its financial processes and gain real-time insights into its global operations. The system was a grand success and now more than 80 companies in 41 countries from New Zealand to South America are using this system.

                              Top Ways SAP Is Evolving

                              Just like any reasonably good innovation, SAP too found room to improve and evolve in order to better benefit its users and drive modernization in the digital world. Aside from its simpler data models, friendlier user interfaces, better integration and amazing advancement in real-time analytics ingrained into S/4HANA software, SAP has shown some other signs of evolution.

                              1. Greater Integration

                              As new and fascinating technologies like AI, ML, and the IoT continue to unfold, S/4HANA is deftly integrating with these technologies. For example, S/4HANA is seen utilizing Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to offer highly advanced analytics and predictions. It also integrates with IoT devices to provide real-time data feedback. This takes business data processing to the next level and S/4HANA’s interaction with IoT enhances production quality.

                              2. Industry Functionality

                              S/4HANA is already known for its flexible nature while meeting the needs of industries, but in recent times we can see even more industry-specialized functionality features emerging. This largely includes enhanced functionality for drastically regulating industries like healthcare and finance.

                              3. Mobile Capabilities

                              It is clear to see that mobile technology is the fastest-evolving technology in the world. Keeping this is mind, S/4HANA has become increasingly mobile-friendly. This enhances its accessibility as almost everyone owns a smartphone in this era.  Its benefits include new mobile applications that grant access to S/4HANA data and improved mobile web interfaces that make accessing S/4HANA on the go seamless.

                              4. User Experience

                              S/4HANA has always been laser-focused on quality user experience, and it is a positive sign that it is willing to work on this strength and hone its advantage. SAP continues to invest in simplifying the user interface and improving overall user experience. This includes new personalization tools and improved useability testing and design.

                              A Glimpse into The Future Of SAP 

                              If anything is a guarantee, it is that SAP ERP will always find ways to improve and dominate modern business functions. A beneficial ERP generally has to create possibilities for companies to adapt and remodel with the agility and flexibility trending in today’s markets.

                              From a technological perspective, SAP is smartly integrating with all higher forms of technology, such as Machine Learning, IoT, and Artificial Intelligence. It utilizes a modular approach to provide an integrated, intelligent entourage of customers for cloud-native technologies.

                              From a business perspective, SAP ERP enables new business models like consumption-based billing and subscription-based businesses, which are seen as widespread in the market on the horizon.

                              Read more: Transforming Business with SAP S/4HANA Cloud

                              How Can Fingent Help?

                              Fingent has worked with many clients from 4 continents since 2003. Our experts focus on client-centered transparency and offer complete services with a wide range of SAP products.

                              With Fingent on your side, your SAP S/4HANA migration can never be tedious. Our unique SAP S/4HANA service implementation methodology assists you with preparing, exploring, configuring, and deploying enhanced capabilities with SAP. Connect with our experts today!

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                                About the Author

                                ...
                                Ashok Kumar

                                Ashok leads Fingent’s SAP Consulting practice for ANZ, SE Asia, The Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and other global clients. More specifically, he helps companies improve operational efficiency by enhancing their digital cores and improving their application integration. Ashok has amassed over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience having worked with Global giants like SAP, IBM Consulting, Capgemini, & Oracle in his previous assignments. Connect with Ashok via LinkedIn and learn how your business can excel with recent SAP trends.

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                                  SAP is widely known for its brilliant abilities and functionalities, the foremost being Data Analysis. The newest version of SAP ERP is the SAP Data and Analytics Solution. It has been making great strides in helping businesses make sense of their data and make intelligent decisions.

                                  But before we dive into that, let us briefly understand what SAP is.

                                  What is SAP ERP?

                                  SAP, or Systems Applications and Products in data processing, is a powerful tool revolutionizing data handling. Its extraordinary data integration capabilities have helped businesses streamline data flow while storing common information securely and efficiently.

                                  As SAP has evolved, it has become an ERP software compiled of many fully integrated modules that have found vital applications in human capital management, data analysis, production planning, plant maintenance, quality management, and more.

                                  Read more: SAP S/4HANA: The Definitive Guide!

                                  SAP S/4HANA

                                  Understanding SAP Data and Analytics Solution

                                  Now that we clearly understand what SAP is and what it does let us look into SAP Data and Analytics Solution. SAP has taken the same approach as any reliable technology that would find room to grow and improve itself. SAP Data and Analytics Solution titled SAP Datasphere was launched on March 8th, 2023.

                                  SAP Analytics for cloud, also called SAP Datasphere, is a cloud-based Business Intelligence (BI) tool designed by SAP Company to provide all the vital functionalities of an analytic tool to business users.

                                  Carefully engineered by SAP, this tool provides analytics compatibility from data received from various databases. This tool essentially converts the raw data collected from the transactional system into comprehendible insight to assist business owners in making better decisions.

                                  The SAP Analytics feature solely depends on data algorithms, programming, and operations research to get data insight and to find meaningful information from data cumulated from multiple data sources. This data insight and information ultimately leads to better business planning and forecasting.

                                  Key features provided by SAP Datasphere are – Business Intelligence, Augmented Analytics, Planning, Modelling, and Smart Transformation. Some benefits that business owners can reap from this solution include – high market profitability, more accuracy in the decision-making process, reduced downtime and performance obstructions. This is a reliable solution for many challenges faced by businesses.

                                  How SAP Data and Analytics Solution Helps Businesses Maximize Data Value

                                  SAP solutions are famously known for making the collection, storage, management, and analysis of Big Data from multiple sources easy and seamless. It takes out the complexity of data management with its suite of products and enables businesses to handle greater chunks of structured and unstructured data. SAP uses powerful AI-driven analytics, and this is an added benefit to organizations that want to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement.

                                  SAP’s new platform, in addition to all its predecessor’s capabilities, also allows businesses to gain meaningful insights into customer trends and likings in order to navigate smarter decision-making across the organization.

                                  With SAP Data and Analytics Solution, a business can get greater value from their data in three notched forms:

                                  1. Database

                                  It effortlessly streamlines and upraises your landscape with advanced database technology that provides flexibility, multi-cloud support, and mixed workload processing to deliver impressive results.

                                  2. Data Management

                                  It caters to a set of technologically advanced tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning and The Internet of Things (IoT) to identify, compile, analyze, and draw out the most context-relevant data throughout the business enterprise.

                                  3. Analytics And Planning

                                  Finally, it freely gives people the power and freedom to discover, plan, and act on real-time on-site insights with technologically advanced tools to assist with planning and analytics. All this is combined with a trusted semantic layer.

                                  Watch more: How ERPs like SAP help CFOs make crucial decisions simpler!

                                  Overview Of SAP’s Analytics Tools

                                  Among SAP’s many nifty and beneficial tools are three major analytics tools – SAP Lumira, SAP Business Objects, and Analytics Cloud. We will now look at the basic functionality of these tools and what they bring to the table.

                                  1. SAP Lumira

                                  SAP Lumira, earlier known as SAP Visual Intelligence, possesses many unique features allowing it to visualize and analyze data from many different sources. In a short period after IT had prepared a robust data model and exposed it to a Presentation Layer tool, business users flocked to create impactful visualizations with numbers, charts, filters, and rankings.

                                  2. SAP Business Objects

                                  This tool is a more centralized data reporting, visualization, and sharing suite. It transforms chunks of data into meaningful insights and is available anywhere at any time. Using a flexible architecture, the SAP Analytics platform simplifies, personalizes, and creates dynamic information consumption.

                                  3. Analytics Cloud

                                  SAP Analytics Solution with Analytics Cloud combines analytics and planning with a unique integration, allowing seamless access to multiple data sources. This tool facilitates trusted insights and integrated planning processes throughout the enterprise to help business owners make quick, informed decisions.

                                  How To Identify the Right Tools for Your Business Needs

                                  Selecting the right SAP Analytics Cloud tool for your business can be a daunting job, but it can be made easy by keeping these pointers in mind:

                                  • It is imperative first to analyze your business needs. Gather your organization’s tech team, its investors, and all the people you need to make this decision.
                                  • Once you have sorted out what aspects of your business could use a little push or improvement, scout out a suitable partner to team up with.
                                  • Next, do a thorough background check on your new potential business partner and ensure that you contact referrals before you trust your business’ future in their hands.
                                  • Lastly, take any advice your SAP service provider may offer and keep communication clear.

                                  How Fingent Can Help in Leveraging the Best SAP Data and Analytics Solution

                                  Fingent’s certified experts focus on client-centered transparency and offer complete services with a wide range of SAP products.

                                  Selecting the perfect SAP product fortifies the success of your business. A few extra benefits you receive by partnering with Fingent are – improved security, efficiency in task completion right to the deadline, automation of the data collection process, and an overall 55% gain in productivity. Want to know more?

                                  Give us a call, and let us help you.

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                                    About the Author

                                    ...
                                    Ashok Kumar

                                    Ashok leads Fingent’s SAP Consulting practice for ANZ, SE Asia, The Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and other global clients. More specifically, he helps companies improve operational efficiency by enhancing their digital cores and improving their application integration. Ashok has amassed over 20 years of leadership and consulting experience having worked with Global giants like SAP, IBM Consulting, Capgemini, & Oracle in his previous assignments. Connect with Ashok via LinkedIn and learn how your business can excel with recent SAP trends.

                                    Talk To Our Experts

                                      Custom Accounting Software Development: Understand The Steps, Costs, and Benefits

                                      What is Custom Accounting Software? Why is It Essential?

                                      Custom accounting software is a tailor-made software program designed to address your business-specific accounting needs, such as cash flow tracking, tax calculation, internal auditing, financial transactions, invoicing, reconciliation, business analysis, reporting, and more.
                                      Streamlined accounting is the lifeblood of your business. It boosts your profitability and productivity. However, most accountants end up spending their precious time on countless spreadsheets and mind-numbing reconciliation jobs. Custom accounting software saves your accounting department’s time and improves their efficiency by automating several repetitive tasks and adapting to the needs of your business.

                                      Streamlined accounting is the lifeblood of your business. It boosts your profitability and productivity.

                                      Custom Accounting Software Allows You To:

                                      billion
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                                      According to Reportlinker, the global accounting software market size is expected to reach $45.3 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth of 19.6% CAGR during the forecast period 2022 to 2028. The growing requirement to modernize financial operations is fueling the adoption of custom accounting software.

                                      Custom Accounting Software vs. Off-the-shelf Accounting Systems

                                      Every business is unique in terms of their nature, way of operation, and size. So are the problems faced by each business. Standard accounting system software is not sufficient to handle the unique challenges affecting each business. For example, some companies want an application to streamline their inventory and asset management, while some require a solution for invoice processing or payroll management.
                                      Traditional accounting software solutions offer a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to address specific business cases. They provide a set of standard features which can’t be customized to handle your unique needs. This is where custom accounting software comes into play.
                                      Here’s a quick comparison of custom accounting software vs. off-the-shelf accounting solutions that will help you choose the right option:
                                      Evaluation Criteria Custom Accounting Software Commercial Accounting Systems
                                      Features and Functionalities Exclusive feature list customized to your specific needs Standard set of features built for the mass market
                                      Development Time Long development process, but a guaranteed investment for a profitable future Faster to implement with the vendor’s support
                                      Development Cost Requires significant upfront investment, but the costs will pay off in the long run Moderately priced, but forces the user to pay for unwanted software features
                                      Support and Maintenance Software is fully supported and maintained by your developer Risk of unplanned downtimes, support will be based on the vendor’s terms and conditions
                                      Compliance to Business Built to comply with your organization’s ecosystem and standards Requires a high level of customization and extra components to function
                                      Third-party Integration Enables seamless integration with compatible external apps Inherently inflexible, doesn’t support deep customizations or integrations
                                      Scalability Highly scalable and adaptable to your future business requirements Time-consuming and costly customizations needed to address the rising needs
                                      Data Security Highly resistant to cyber infiltrations, tested thoroughly at each stage of development Vulnerable to cyber attacks and software glitches

                                      Benefits of Custom Accounting Software

                                      Custom accounting software provides your business with a powerful tool to manage volumes of financial information, significantly reduces your cost of operation, and improves your business efficiency. Tailored accounting software offers several benefits, including the following ones.

                                      1 Improves Operational Efficiency

                                      Financial accounting software tailored to your business has the ability to process large volumes of data and give accurate results in minimal time. Process automation doubles the efficiency of your internal accounting, so you can complete tasks more accurately and faster. Leaving the time-consuming, automatable financial and accounting tasks with custom software helps you focus on business areas that need more attention.

                                      2 Saves Time and Costs

                                      Custom accounting software allows you to perform more demanding tasks like data entry in less time, so your team can focus on business growth and expansion. Through process automation, the accounting software does all the heavy lifting which helps in bringing down your staff hiring and maintenance costs.

                                      3 Reduces Human Errors

                                      Every business needs an accounting system software regardless of their size or nature of operation. Managing all the financial and accounting functions by hand is a daunting task which will increase the chance of human errors. Custom accounting software helps perform all the functions with unmatched technical accuracy and efficiency, thereby reducing the chance for manual errors.

                                      4 Better Financial Reporting and Monitoring

                                      Manual methods used to reconcile data and prepare financial reports could take your valuable time forever. You can automate this mundane task with the help of custom accounting software. Automated report generation helps you get instantaneous reports in a few clicks, so you can monitor your company’s financial performance in real-time. This helps you identify and solve problems beforehand and make life-saving decisions based on accurate insights.

                                      5 Higher Return on Investment

                                      Implementing custom accounting software requires significant upfront investment, but it will end up paying off. When you buy a canned software, you will have to purchase additional hardware and pay extra for software integrations to make it function the way you expect. Custom accounting software is designed to suit every specific need of your business. You are free to choose the features that you require and fit within your budget. Moreover, the custom software developer provides you with dedicated support and maintenance without charging extra dollars.

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                                      Custom Features To Consider in Custom Accounting Software Development

                                      As the name suggests, custom accounting software is designed to serve your business’s specific accounting needs. Based on our experience with custom software development projects, we’ve listed some of the top features that will make your financial accounting software more valuable.
                                      Custom accounting software enables your accountants to generate, receive, dispatch, track, and print invoices right from the software. Your accounting department can track the invoice status in real-time, follow up with overdues, set reminders for recurring invoices, and ensure that your income doesn’t fall through the cracks due to oversight. Customizable invoice templates in the accounting software allow you to quickly create invoices, so you can process them in the order you need.
                                      You can create custom formulas to calculate employee salaries, bonuses, overtime allowances, commissions, deductions, time-offs, and more using the custom accounting software. This allows your accountants to easily track and record payroll amounts and create customizable employee payment schedules for each month or for a specific time period.
                                      Accurate financial reporting helps understand how your company is getting along through the highs and lows. Configurable dashboards displaying real-time updates on cash inflows and outflows, stock performance, department-wise performances, general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, current asset value, and other important financial aspects help you make better forecasting and budgeting decisions. Automation, along with highly customizable reporting templates help create reports more quickly and accurately. For instance, reports like balance sheet, profit and loss statement, tax summary, equity changes, revenue recognition, customer statement, and more are made accessible at your fingertips through the custom accounting software.
                                      Tax calculation based on user-defined parameters and region specific tax rates and regulations has always been an accountant’s nightmare. Custom accounting software makes the whole process easier by automating tax calculation based on custom formulas. Let it be VAT, sales, income, withholding, or any other form of tax, rule-based and region-specific tax filing can be done on time with the help of custom accounting software. You can also set up periodic tax payment schedules to avoid huge penalties and compliance risks that could affect your business.
                                      Streamlined inventory goes a long way in reducing your expenses and adhering to your budgets. Real-time tracking of raw materials, goods in-production, finished products, and goods moving in and out of your warehouses located in multiple regions is an important feature that any accounting software should offer. Inventory records based on purchase orders and returns will also help you understand which of your products are doing well in the market and which ones aren’t. Automated and optimized inventory workflow enables you to avoid stock-outs and react quickly to customer needs.
                                      Integrating your account software with important business management systems, such as CRM, ERP, e-commerce application, HRM, asset and inventory management system, bank accounts, and electronic payment applications will simplify your accountant’s job. The best part of using custom accounting software is that it’s designed to comply with all the other platforms that you would require for accurate asset calculation and faster bank reconciliation.

                                      Go-to Integrations for Custom Accounting Software

                                      We work with our clients to build them a holistic custom accounting software integrated with their corporate financial planning systems and multiple transaction sources, so they benefit from error-free accounting as well as time and cost savings.

                                      1. CRM Integration

                                      Accounting software-CRM integration will allow your accounting department to track all the sales orders, quotes, invoices, customer data, payment terms, quantity and price of goods ordered. Your team doesn’t have to manually dig out the entire data from your CRM as the integration helps auto-populate the same data into your accounting software.

                                      2. Inventory Management Integration

                                      Integrating inventory makes your accounting software capable of generating stock position reports in real-time. You can track how your inventory is being purchased and utilized, which of your products are fast-selling or slow-moving, how you can avoid embarrassing out-of-stock situations, and maintain more accurate records on inventory values.

                                      3. Asset Management Integration

                                      It’s important for your business to know the levels of utilization, maintenance, and depreciating value of fixed assets. By integrating custom accounting software with your asset management system, you can track the position and value of your assets.

                                      4. Procurement System Integration

                                      Procurement management, also known as the source-to-settle process, can function effectively only when it’s integrated with sourcing, supplier management, contract management, risk management, requisitioning, purchasing, invoice processing, and accounts payable. The integration works best when you choose to develop a custom accounting software.

                                      5. Cash Management System Integration

                                      Integrating your account software with your cash management system ensures that all the journal entries in your general ledger and sub ledgers are up-to-date with real-time data on financial transactions across operating, investment, and financing activities of your organization.

                                      6. Financial Planning and Analysis System Integration

                                      With a single source of true financial performance data, you can make accurate and insightful decisions related to financial planning, forecasting, and budgeting. By integrating your custom accounting software with analytics and reporting, you don’t have to switch between multiple tabs and applications to gather the right data.

                                      7. HRM and Payroll Integration

                                      Integration with HRM software helps automate your payroll management, making it easier for your accounting department to calculate salaries, commissions, bonuses, incentives, allowances, tax deductions, and more in a matter of minutes.

                                      8. Bank Accounts Integration

                                      Linking your bank accounts to the custom accounting software allows your team to handle funds quickly without process delays and service interruptions. It makes your bank account reconciliation seamless and faster and also helps in monitoring credit and managing checks.

                                      9. Electronic Payment Gateway Integration

                                      In-app payment options that allow users to make payments without leaving the customer portal is a must-have feature of e-commerce apps and web stores today. Custom accounting software integrated with bank accounts and payment systems allows your customers to pay directly from the application using their cards, credits, payment processing apps, or through their bank account. This enables you to keep a record of payment history and receipts.

                                      Significance of Small Business Accounting Software

                                      Custom accounting software helps automate several mind-numbing and repetitive to-dos, so you get more time to focus on the key areas of your operation. Effective monitoring of financial situations through accurate reporting enables you to plan, identify potential problems, solve challenges, and improve business viability. Tailored accounting software is highly beneficial for small business owners in many ways.
                                      Unlike the traditional manual ledgers and spreadsheets, custom accounting software helps organize your financial data, which makes your turnaround time faster. Data is structured and recorded in a way that makes it easy to find. The software also simplifies data exports and imports and increases the speed of data processing. For example, just by clicking a customer or vendor ID, you can track the bills paid or overdue, transaction history, or any other details pertaining to the user, all in one spot.
                                      With a custom accounting software by your side, you don’t have to juggle multiple applications to track your inventory levels, payrolls, financial statements, employee data, assets, procurements, sale orders, invoices, and more. Personalized account software centralizes the key areas of your financial administration, so you don’t have to implement and maintain separate tools for managing each operation. Centralized financial management helps in saving your time and money.
                                      Personalized accounting system software offers customizable journal entry templates that help you create, evaluate, update, and approve journal entries in the general ledger (GL) as well as subledgers without breaking a sweat. Using the software, you can maintain accurate and real-time records of internal and external financial transactions, multi-currency exchanges, GL balances across multiple branches or business entities, and more. Staying updated with your accounts in real-time helps you detect potential cash flow problems at an early stage and identify customers who could cause a credit problem for your small business.
                                      Custom-built software offers you the freedom to define who could access your data. For instance, you can share access with team members who need to send invoices to clients or who are responsible for paying company bills. Similarly, you can share the software access with your accounting department and professional tax practitioners to save your time and money.
                                      Financial statements like balance sheets, profit and loss statements, credit reports, bank account statements, and cash flow statements come handy especially while asking for a loan or predicting your company’s taxes. With all your business accounting data in one system, report generation becomes much easier. The analytics capabilities of the custom accounting software lets you create complex reports quickly and helps you with proper financial planning.
                                      Cloud-based custom accounting software allows you to manage your bookkeeping ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, invoices, and costs all in one place, and access the required details from anywhere, at any time, using any computing device. You can simply create, send, track, and record invoices or generate expense reports in a few clicks to analyze your company’s financial position using the accounting software.

                                      Types of Accounting Software

                                      Accounting software helps you monitor the financial health of your business and understand your company’s strengths and weaknesses. The software gives complete visibility on your income and expenses as well as sales and profits. If you are planning to choose an accounting software package for your business, it’s important to understand the different types of accounting software and in what circumstances each one should be used.

                                      Spreadsheets

                                      When it comes to managing your day-to-day financial data, Microsoft Excel could be the first tool that would come into your mind. Tools like Google Sheets and OpenOffice also help you with bookkeeping. However, businesses with only basic or minimal financial operations can rely on spreadsheets to manage their accounts. If you have more complex requirements or need to handle complicated accounting procedures, it’s better to build a custom accounting software that can handle all your requirements effectively. Moreover, there is a high risk of data loss, data manipulation, entry duplication, and oversight errors when using spreadsheets. Custom-made software helps avoid such errors through in-built automation and logical workflows.

                                      Commercial Accounting Software

                                      Most of the small and medium businesses worldwide use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) accounting software. However, most of the COTS software are designed for the mass market and are, therefore, moderately configurable to your business’s specific needs. COTS accounting software can be installed with the help of a consultant and often requires a lengthy installation process. On-site collaboration is required to manage bug fixes, patch updates, and version upgrades. Commercially available software may offer numerous features which aren’t meant for your industry, so you end up paying more on several unused features.

                                      Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software

                                      ERP software is a suite of applications built to manage and integrate your day-to-day business activities. These activities may include procurement, production, project, human resource, finances, inventory, and so on. ERP applications are designed to eliminate the problem of data silos across different teams and departments of a business. However, ERP implementation is required only if you are a large organization managing complex business functions and multiple departments. ERP application is an example of accounting software that provides stakeholders with accurate and real-time data to make informed decisions.

                                      Custom Accounting Software

                                      Custom accounting software development is the right option to go for when your entity’s needs are so specific that they cannot be met by an off-the-shelf solution or a commercial ERP software. The software complies highly with your business’s ecosystem and is scalable to your future requirements.
                                      Custom accounting software supports integrations with complementing software apps, which makes it capable of addressing more unique business scenarios. Instead of spending heavily on third-party licenses and subscriptions, you just have to pay for its development, which means that all rights on the custom accounting software are reserved to its payer.

                                      Is your off-the-shelf (pre-packaged) solution meeting only 60% of your operational business needs?

                                      Cloud-based Accounting Software

                                      Also known as online or web-based accounting software, this type of accounting software operates through a cloud application service provider, leveraging internet connectivity. Businesses using cloud-based accounting software don’t have to make any large-scale hardware investments. You can access the accounting software using your login credentials and make use of the features available in your software subscription package. This type of accounting software is highly beneficial for remote teams and businesses with multiple branches. An example would be Software as a Service (SaaS) based accounting applications that require only minimal upfront investments. The Pay-as-you-go model allows you to start with a small capital and expand later when you anticipate better business growth and profitability. SaaS application deployment takes less time and money when compared to a traditional on-premise system setup.

                                      Steps To Build Custom Accounting Software

                                      To develop and integrate custom accounting software into your business, you must lay out a software development roadmap and deploy a team of experienced software professionals. To learn valuable insights on how to hire the right software development outsourcing partner, read our recent guide on points to consider before choosing the best software development company. To get started with the development process, follow these steps.

                                      Step #1Define Your Idea

                                      Got an excellent idea for your small business accounting software? It’s the first step to start your development project. Expand your idea into an actionable strategy. Motivate your team to take the initiative, brainstorm ideas, perform analysis, and identify the practical functions and features that would be needed in the accounting system software.

                                      Step #2Design The UX/UI of Your Software

                                      After assessing the project idea, the next step is to work on the prototypes and design mockups. The cost of software development is often based on the number of features the solution requires. As a business owner, you can ask your custom software development partner to design mockups or prototypes of the accounting software according to your business needs. Working prototypes allow you to decide the required and essential software features during the project’s initial phase itself. This helps avoid time-consuming reworks and redesigns. Once the software’s framework and future design are accepted, you can determine the accounting software’s functionality.

                                      Step #3Prepare a List of Features and Functionalities

                                      Prepare a list of features and functionalities and share it with your custom software developer. Here are some of the important features that you could include while building a custom accounting software for your business:

                                      Step #4Develop The Software

                                      Laying out a proper design for your custom accounting software is a complex and time-consuming process. However, using a questionnaire-based development approach, you can simplify the design and development process.
                                      Custom software development companies like Fingent ask their team of designers and QA engineers to compose test cases covering diverse user scenarios before beginning the actual development process. This helps avoid software bugs and makes your application more stable and functional. At Fingent, our developers look out for the latest UI/ UX design trends and develop applications using configuration management techniques to ensure that proper software development methodology is being followed throughout the project.

                                      Step #5Deploy and Maintain The Software

                                      Post development, the custom accounting software is implemented and integrated into your environment. The software is made ready-to-use after several rounds of testing and quality checks to ensure the best user experience. Right after implementation, the software may need close monitoring and improvements for a few days to increase its relevance and stability. Most custom software development companies provide you with dedicated application support and maintenance as long as you use the application. The team helps you in resolving issues related to your software’s usability, bugs, and other technical glitches.

                                      Cost of Custom Accounting Software Development

                                      Custom accounting software development cost depends on the software’s features and functionalities, frameworks and toolkits used for development, and various other factors including the ones listed below.
                                      Offshore providers across different countries charge different rates based on their region’s outsourcing regulations. Based on Fingent’s experience, developing a custom accounting software of average complexity costs around $200,000 – $400,000, while personalized financial accounting software development for a large enterprise may require $500,000+ in investments.
                                      0 %
                                      Custom accounting software saves more than 50% of your business’s expenses and efforts.

                                      When Custom Accounting Software Is Your Best Choice

                                      How will you know if your business needs custom-made accounting software? Here is a checklist to help you with the analysis. If you tick any of these boxes, it might just be time to get that ball rolling on a custom software solution.
                                      Ensure compliance
                                      You need a business accounting software that provides 100% compliance with the local regulations in the regions where your business operates.
                                      Data security
                                      If your business handles highly sensitive financial and business data, you need a custom-built software that provides advanced data security features.
                                      Integration with other systems
                                      Your accounting application requires smooth and effective integration with legacy systems or other platforms that you’ve been using for a while.
                                      Intelligent forecasting
                                      You need to make smart and accurate general ledger predictions by account and make timely financial decisions based on real-time data and insights.
                                      Transaction processing
                                      If you want to apply user-specified events into your transaction processing workflow, custom software development is the right choice.
                                      Streamline payroll
                                      Implementing custom rules for payroll scheduling, tax calculations and employee reimbursements is much easier when you have a custom accounting software.
                                      Scalability
                                      Business expansion also means technological growth. It’s not practical to change your software every time a component of your business grows. With custom accounting software, you can easily upgrade the application and add more features as you scale.
                                      Want to enhance your existing software with custom features?

                                      Custom Software Development: Choosing The Right Partner

                                      Choosing the right custom software development company from hundreds of capable contenders is easier said than done. Most of the firms have years of experience, industry knowledge, and technical expertise required to stay relevant in a highly competitive and volatile market. It’s indeed a very tricky job to pick out the right one, but we have tried to make this simple for you with our checklist given below.
                                      Make a precise list of your requirements. Write down what you expect the custom accounting software to do. Talk to your employees and stakeholders to evaluate the problems and analyze the solution. Create an outline of the solution based on your objectives.
                                      Research and list all potential custom software development partners who can deliver the required services. Also, find out from others to see if they have any recommendations. Learn more about each prospective contender, so you get a fair idea of their technical skills, knowledge of their team members, domain experience, project portfolios, awareness of the latest technologies, and work experience in domains similar to yours. This allows you to filter the list and narrow down your research to 4-5 companies.
                                      Assess the software development company’s flexibility to adapt to changing environments. Look up their client base and client relationship history. Ask for customer references who can provide you with genuine feedback. Check out their ratings and reviews on B2B rating platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, and others. Take a look at their social media content. When interacting with their previous or current customers, try to understand more about their vendor’s communication effectiveness, scheduling and service quality, costs, development methodology, engagement model, and so on. This will help you identify if the potential custom software company’s way of operation and objectives align with your requirements.
                                      How long would it take to develop the custom accounting software? This is a critical question that needs to be discussed before choosing the right partner. For certain circumstances, you will have a deadline that you need to fulfill. Avoid haste and plan all company commitments accordingly and ensure that the software’s quality is not affected to comply with strict timelines. It is recommended that you often reserve additional time for checking and debugging applications before they are approved for widespread usage.
                                      The legal implications of hiring a custom software development partner shouldn’t be overlooked. Ensure this gets done properly during the technical and strategic vetting of the selected company. Keep in mind that the development partner would invariably be getting access to your company’s confidential data, such as intellectual property, business strategy, or trade secrets. Perform extensive background checks to ensure the integrity and reliability of the partner.
                                      Verify the software developer’s security policies, certifications, and accreditation. Before signing a contractual agreement with the firm, understand their terms and conditions properly. Custom software development allows you to own the product entirely unless you decide otherwise. Ensure that all rights on the custom software are reserved to its payer.
                                      It’s important to match your project requirements with the right-sized organization. Not all companies undertake any size of custom software development projects. Find out if the custom software development company’s experience is sufficient to handle your project requirements. Read up their case studies, take a look at their website or visit their online profiles to understand more about them.
                                      Custom accounting software is meant to handle confidential company data. It’s important to understand your software development partner’s physical and cyber data security policies. Find out how they will be handling your data and assets. Review their integrated security and/or IP protection program. It’s good to undertake an intellectual property due diligence enquiry before finalizing the software development vendor to safeguard your enterprise’s IP, and determine which functions need to be kept in-house or outsourced.
                                      Determine if the cost of the project fits your budget. Be sure of the guaranteed ROI, so you won’t go bankrupt after purchasing a high-priced software that automates parts of your business. That said, you don’t have to compromise on the AR quality of the software for low costs either. Certain companies overprice their solutions just to portray themselves as a bigger and better company. Always look for hidden or additional costs in the contractual agreement, such as additional payment for document management, annual setup/ maintenance in addition to monthly support charges, in-person training, etc.
                                      Even the most perfect solutions guarantee only 99.9999% up-time. Unfortunately, there are no 100% perfect solutions. There is always a 0.1% chance of things going wrong after delivery, especially in the case of software. So make sure your vendor company provides direct access to the technical team and offers good support, periodic maintenance, cloud-based updates, software upgrades, and troubleshooting services for a fair period of time after sales.
                                      Most software development companies are willing to provide their customers a free trial to understand the quality of the features, benefits, and usability of the software. This is usually done through prototypes and mockup projects featuring a particular aspect of the envisioned software. Running a pilot project allows you to find out if the software development company is capable of meeting your expectations. Ask the vendor as many questions as possible during the trial phase.

                                      How Fingent Helps

                                      Fingent’s end-to-end custom software development process is tailored to meet our clients’ business needs, challenges, and goals. We understand your requirements and turn your ideas into tangible deliverables with maximum business proficiency. Let it be anything – custom software development, web and mobile app development, cloud migration, enterprise software applications, modernization of legacy software, or SaaS development – we offer innovative and reliable software solutions that will delight your customers, simplify your team’s job, and help your business scale.
                                      Our custom software development experience spans across multiple industries and advanced tech, including data analytics, augmented and virtual reality applications, artificial intelligence, robotic process automation, internet of things, and more. We follow an impeccable workflow and a set of best practices to foster structured software development and reduce the cost of your business operations.
                                      “We don’t simply initiate your project. We step into your shoes and understand your business landscape to give you the most purposeful solution.”
                                      Dileep Jacob
                                      SVP-Operations, Fingent

                                      Frequently Asked Questions on Custom Accounting Software

                                      Custom accounting software is designed exclusively to address your business’s specific accounting needs. The top advantages of customized accounting solutions are:
                                      • Business efficiency improvements
                                      • Reduction in human errors
                                      • Time and cost savings
                                      • Better financial monitoring and reporting
                                      • Faster and accurate data processing
                                      • Seamless integration with other business software
                                      • Anytime, anywhere accessibility
                                      • Improve compliance with tax and legal processes
                                      • Streamlined payroll management
                                      • Better traceability of invoices
                                      There are different types of accounting software designed to meet various small business accounting needs. Some of the leading examples of accounting software are:
                                      • Spreadsheets
                                      • Pre-packaged accounting systems
                                      • Enterprise resource planning (ERP) software
                                      • Online accounting software
                                      • Custom-made accounting software
                                      • Cloud, hybrid, or on-premise accounting software
                                      When choosing to build your own accounting software, you need to keep in mind your business’s long-term growth plans. Make sure that the software you’re going to build encompasses all the features and functionalities that you will require to drive your business in the right direction. For instance, the number of application users may grow from 10 to 100 in no time or you may open new branches of your business. Make sure the custom accounting software is scalable to meet such scenarios. Also, check if the custom software development vendor provides you with an option to add new features or upgrade the software in future.
                                      You can access your accounting software through mobile, if it’s a mobile-enabled application. Most of the custom software developers develop mobile applications if you have a specific requirement for the same. Be it iOS or Android, you can easily access your custom accounting software through mobile. Mobile access allows you to generate invoices, record expenses, manage clients, monitor cash inflow and outflow, and do a lot more even when you are away from your desk.
                                      Yes, you can. Custom accounting software can be integrated with your key business applications, including, ERP, CRM, HRM, inventory, payroll, and so on. Through data flow customizations enabled via APIs and integration plugins, you can easily import or export data to and from your custom accounting software. Discuss your requirement with your custom software development partner to enable seamless data transfer between applications.

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                                        About the Author

                                        ...
                                        Vinod Saratchandran

                                        Vinod has conceptualized and delivered niche mobility products that cater to various domains including logistics, media & non-profits. He leads, mentors & coaches a team of Project Coordinators & Analysts at Fingent.

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