How Cross platform App Development Benefits Your Business in 2020

These apps can cater to a large number of problems which are usually faced by app development companies around the globe. At the end of the day, every single business tries to lure in more and more traffic and cross-platform apps can serve as the best way of doing the same. The cross-platform apps have cheaper development cost compared to conventional app development. After all, budgetary constraints should not limit a brilliant app idea and that is exactly the aim of cross platform app development. Maybe this is the reason behind the popularity of this concept in the corporate sector. SMEs and start-ups consider cross-platform apps to be a form of a technological blessing as it helps in connecting with numerous people over multiple platforms. Let us now take a look at the biggest advantages of cross-platform apps for the business fraternity.

Reduction In Cost:

Native apps are more resource and time-intensive than cross-platform ones. Developers can ring in more savings by eliminating repetitive tasks, opting for reusable codes and undertaking rapid testing. This, in turn, brings down the development cost as mobile app developers are usually paid on an hourly basis. Cross-platform applications are built on a universal code which can be translated easily into various programming languages. This code also helps in creating app solutions and web apps for different platforms.

Recycling Of Code:

Native apps require developers to write separate codes for both iOS and Android platforms. But the cross-platform apps are same for both the platforms and can run everywhere after being written just once. This reusability adds inertia to the process and allows developers to be more attentive towards the minute detailing of the application. The apps can even be modified as per the business requirement given its unified codebase. This, in turn, brings down the app development cost by saving the developer’s time and effort.

Super-fast Development:

When it comes to development duration, the cross-platform apps always hold an edge over native ones. The code is written just once and can then be translated easily to multiple codes which can be used on different platforms. It brings down the development time to a great extent. According to a recent survey, developers can reduce their efforts by 50-80% by using a single code across different platforms. The apps of cross-platform market work well at ease with different devices and platforms. This, in turn, brings down the Time to Market (TTM) and help businesses gain an advantage by positioning their app in the market before the arrival of competition apps.

Easy To Make Changes:

Frequent changes in business requirements are also making it necessary for businesses to update their apps on a frequent interval. Native-apps are built using a complex code making them both difficult and time-consuming to modify. The cross-platform apps, on the other hand, are built on a single code and this helps out in its modification. It becomes easier to face challenges with a cross-platform business app that can be customized without having to bear any burden. Mobile app developers can also be hired for undertaking app modification in an easy manner. On being modified, the application can offer businesses an edge over competitors by luring in fresh users and securing the old ones.

Similarity Amongst Applications:

Cross-platform applications are unified in terms of performance and appearance across a variety of devices and OS. One of the pre-requisites of a business app is that it needs to deliver the same look and feel across both iOS and Android platforms, as well as different devices. You can opt for a cross-platform app development company and they can deliver a consistent app experience by banking on a single codebase for benefiting your business.

Plugin Access:

The development drill of cross-platform mobile apps gets simplified to a great extent by plugins. Developers can easily access useful plugins by banking on readymade frameworks like Appcelerator and PhoneGap. These plugins make it easy to alter the app as per requirement.

Advantage Of Prototyping

The importance of building a functional product prototype is paramount for an entrepreneur. Cross-platform app development helps in gaining a prototyping advantage while rapid app development adds inertia to the process of receiving feedback from users. The feedback offered by a certain segment of users can be used for making necessary changes and ensuring success in the long run.

Conclusion:

Cross-platform apps might be either IDE-based or HTML-5 based. In the former case, Swift or Java is used as the official programming language. Some popular examples of HTML-5 based cross-platform apps are PhoneGap app development services and Ionic application development. In both cases, the framework comprises of HTML5, JavaScript and CSS which allows app developers to execute the code readily in web view. Cross-platform app development has a wide scope in 2020 for all types of a business domain.

From Michael Jackson to Bob Dylan – the Shure SM7B has become a studio staple and industry standard

Imagine the year is 1982 and you are Michael Jackson. You are 23 years old. The commercial and critical success of Off The Wall is nearly three years behind you. But you’re disappointed. Disappointed because Off The Wall didn’t win Record of The Year at the Grammys, and you feel undervalued by the music industry.

So you get back together with Quincy Jones to make an album with nothing but hits. Pop music’s version of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite. With a $750,000 production budget, you have almost unlimited options in fancy microphones and high-end production equipment. But you, Quincy, and your sound production team decide to go with the Shure SM7B – a modest dynamic cardioid microphone used primarily in radio broadcasting and spoken word – to record most of your vocal tracks, and all of Vincent Price’s (in two takes, no less!).

Having Thriller on your resume isn’t such a bad thing. The Shure SM7B has been a staple of recording since, and has continued to be at the pinnacle of the industry.
The result? Thriller. 65 million copies sold. Certified multi-platinum 30 times. 8 Grammy Awards. An album that, in 2016, remains the best selling album of all time. Now, one could argue Michael Jackson could’ve sung Thriller into an empty coffee tin and still make audio gold. But the fact remains that Shure’s SM7 line of microphones has captured some excellent sound and can boast some legendary chops. In addition to Thriller, the SM7 is a weapon of choice inside broadcast booths around the world and has fans in a number of recording artists, including Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, and Bob Dylan, to name a few.

So what’s made this dynamic cardioid microphone – originally introduced in 1973 – a studio icon that’s withstood the test of time? The short answer is that the SM7B can do it all.

But before we get there, the version you can buy today, the SM7B, has had a couple improvements since its disco-era upbringing. After more than two decades without an upgrade to the SM7, Shure released the SM7A in 1999. That model offered an improved humbucking coil (a transducer that helps cancel out interference) and yoke mount (the sling-shot shaped mounting attachment). Two years after that, the SM7B hit the market with a bigger windscreen.

According to Shure’s Davida Rochman, the SM7 story really begins with the SM5 broadcast microphone, “A dynamic boom microphone that found a home in many radio and film studios following its introduction in 1966.”

The SM5 was beloved, but huge (measuring about 25cm long). John Born, Product Manager at Shure, said in Rochman’s 2012 interview that a group of Shure acoustical engineers were given the Unidyne III cartridge element from within the Shure SM57 (cousin to the SM5) sometime in the 1970s. The engineers were told, “without restrictions on size or cost, to make it better. And they went nuts.”

The result is that the SM7B is optimized for low end response (the deep, big bass sound heard in many of today’s recordings). The shock mount is optimized to reduce stand vibrations. Rochman says the SM7B “does a good job of masking a poor recording environment, handling a screaming vocal, and performing double-duty as a drum or guitar amp mic.” It makes for an excellent instrument mic and vocal mic in live sound broadcasting and recording.

Over time, the SM7B has become the industry workhorse, partly because it’s a $350 microphone that compares – and occasionally bests – other studio microphones that can cost hundreds of dollars more. The recent rise in podcasting has helped the SM7B too, as demand has increased for high-quality voice-over mics at an affordable price.

As Harvey Gerst says “[The SM7] is one of the finest mics that Shure has ever made.” And of course, having Thriller on your resume doesn’t hurt either.

Okay and for the spec readers out there the features of the SM7B include but are not limited to:

• Flat, wide-range frequency response for exceptionally clean and natural reproduction of both music and speech

• Bass rolloff and mid-range emphasis (presence boost) controls with graphic display of response setting

• Improved rejection of electromagnetic hum, optimized for shielding against broadband interference emitted by computer monitors

• Internal “air suspension” shock isolation virtually eliminates mechanical noise transmission

• Highly effective pop filter eliminates need for any add-on protection against explosive breath sounds, even for close-up vocals or narration

• Now shipping with the A7WS detachable windscreen, designed to reduce plosive sounds and gives a warmer tone for close-talk vocals

• Yoke mounting with captive stand nut for easy mounting and dismounting provides precise control of microphone position

• Classic cardioid polar pattern, uniform with frequency and symmetrical about axis, to provide maximum rejection and minimum coloration of off-axis sound

• Rugged construction and excellent cartridge protection for outstanding reliability

You can listen to audio samples of the SM7B at Shure’s Mic Listening Lab. For more information on the history of the SM7B, see Davida Rochman’s excellent 2012 post SM57 on Steroids: The Shure SM7(B) Story and Silent Sky’s 2013 post The Shure SM7B – Magic Mic, or All Hype?

The Strategic Importance of Customer Knowledge Bases for SaaS Companies

Introduction: The Critical Role of Customer Service in SaaS Success
In the competitive landscape of the software industry, customer service is a pivotal element that can significantly influence a company’s revenue and reputation. More crucial than even the product or marketing strategies, customer service determines whether customers feel valued and supported enough to continue using the service. Retaining existing customers is often more cost-effective than acquiring new ones, making effective customer service a key driver of long-term success. A primary tool in this endeavor is the customer knowledge base, which serves as a self-help resource that empowers users while alleviating the burden on support teams.

Why Knowledge Bases Are More Than Just FAQs
A customer knowledge base is essentially an evolved form of the traditional FAQ section found on many websites. However, it includes several advanced features:

Searchable Content: Unlike static FAQs, knowledge bases include a search function that helps users quickly find specific information.
Rich Media Integration: Users can access a variety of content formats including text, images, and video, making it easier to understand complex information.
Real-Time Updates: Companies can update their knowledge bases in real time to ensure that all information reflects the most current data and practices.
Analytics: Back-end analytics help companies track usage patterns, popular content, and areas that may require more detailed information, allowing for continuous improvement.
According to a report by Zendesk, 91% of survey respondents said they would use a knowledge base if it were available and tailored to their needs. This statistic underscores the importance of well-maintained and user-friendly knowledge bases.

Reducing Support Costs and Enhancing Accessibility
Implementing a knowledge base can lead to significant cost savings. For instance, the average cost of a single support call can range from $15 to $25, whereas maintaining a comprehensive knowledge base may cost substantially less on a per-interaction basis. Companies like Document360 offer knowledge base solutions that companies can integrate into their websites at a fraction of the cost of maintaining large support teams.

Moreover, a knowledge base is accessible 24/7, providing immediate assistance to users across different time zones without the need for continuous live support. This accessibility is particularly crucial in today’s global market, where users expect instant solutions.

Building Brand Authority and Reducing Customer Churn
A well-structured knowledge base does more than just solve customer issues; it also enhances the company’s brand:

Authority and Trust: By providing thorough and accurate information, companies can position themselves as authorities in their field, building trust with their users.
Reduced Churn: Effective self-service options can significantly reduce customer churn. A study by American Express found that 33% of customers would consider switching companies immediately following a single instance of poor service. A knowledge base can mitigate this risk by enhancing customer satisfaction.
SEO Benefits: Regularly updated, high-quality content in knowledge bases can improve a company’s SEO, driving more organic traffic to their site and increasing visibility.
Conclusion: A Vital Tool for SaaS Companies

In conclusion, a customer knowledge base is an essential component of a SaaS company’s customer service strategy. It not only supports customers effectively but also contributes to a company’s operational efficiency and strategic marketing goals. By investing in a robust knowledge base, SaaS companies can enhance user satisfaction, reduce operational costs, and strengthen their market position. As the digital landscape evolves, the role of knowledge bases is likely to grow even more, making them an indispensable tool for customer engagement and retention.

Mastering Column Internals Installation in Manufacturing

Understanding Column Internals and Their Importance
Column internals are components installed within process columns in manufacturing plants, playing a crucial role in enhancing tower performance. They are designed to facilitate processes such as distillation, absorption, stripping, or reaction by providing structured packing, trays, and other elements that ensure efficient contact between different phases. Proper installation is vital as it directly impacts the operational efficiency, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and repairs.

The Risks of Incorrect Installation
Improper installation of column internals can lead to a host of issues, including:

Equipment damage that may be irreparable
Compromised column performance leading to inefficiency
False alarms and signals from monitoring systems
Increased operational costs due to unplanned downtime
According to a study by the Reliability and Maintainability Center at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, the average manufacturing facility experiences several hours of downtime weekly, which can cost up to $260,000 an hour depending on the industry (Automation.com, 2020). Ensuring correct installation of column internals is a step towards mitigating such losses.

Pre-Installation Considerations
Before proceeding with the installation of column internals, it is essential to:

Thoroughly review the installation manual provided by the manufacturer
Understand the specific requirements for your equipment and process
Gather all necessary tools and additional components, such as rings and wall clips
Ensure that all supporting structures are level and securely fastened
The Installation Process
The installation of column internals is a meticulous process that requires attention to detail. It is not merely about following an instruction guide; understanding the intricacies of the equipment and the internals is crucial. Here are some key steps:

Verify the compatibility of the internals with the column.
Check the condition of the column and prepare it for installation.
Carefully place and secure trays, packing, and other internals according to specifications.
Ensure that all components are aligned and have proper clearances.
When to Seek Professional Assistance
If you lack the expertise or experience in installing column internals, it is advisable to engage a professional. Hiring a skilled contractor or a specialized service provider can prevent installation errors and ensure that your equipment operates at peak efficiency. Companies like CR Asia offer a range of industrial plant maintenance services, including heat exchanger maintenance, which can be integral to the successful installation and operation of column internals.

Conclusion
The correct installation of column internals is a non-negotiable aspect of maintaining operational efficiency in manufacturing. While the benefits of having column internals are numerous, they can only be realized if the installation is executed flawlessly. Business owners should not hesitate to seek professional help to guarantee that their investment in column internals delivers the intended outcomes and supports the longevity of their equipment.