Category Archives: Business & Technology
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Gmail is going to be banned in UAE?
Google has said it will provide Middle East versions of its new VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, which has proved hugely popular since its launch in the US last month.However website Emirates 24/7 said the tech giant has no set timeline for the rollout of the service, which currently allows Gmail users based in the US only to make low-cost VOIP calls to any parts of the world.
US-based Gmail clients can make a phone call directly from their computer to a UAE landline for just 19 cents per minute. To call Saudi Arabia the rate is 11 cents, for Oman 15 cents, Qatar 26 cents, Bahrain 17 cents, and Kuwait 9 cents per minute, the website said.
Black Berry is going to be banned in UAE from October 2010
The UAE’s telecoms regulator has announced that BlackBerry services in the country will be suspended from 11 October this year.
The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) said that the suspension was due to the failure of ongoing attempts since 2007 to bring BlackBerry services in the country in line with local regulations.
“With no solution available and in the public interest, in order to affect resolution of this issue, as of October 11, 2010, Blackberry Messenger, Blackberry Email and Blackberry Web-browsing services will be suspended until an acceptable solution can be developed and applied,” said TRA director general Mohamed Al Ghanim.
“The TRA notes that Blackberry appears to be compliant in similar regulatory environments of other countries, which makes non-compliance in the UAE both disappointing and of great concern.”
BlackBerry devices, introduced in the UAE in 2006, allow users to send messages that can’t be monitored as allowed for under the country’s 2007 Safety, Emergency and National Security rules, the regulator said last week.
Although such communications should fall under the remit of that law, technical encryption allowed them to avoid monitoring, it said Sunday.
Telcos Etisalat and du were informed of the TRA’s decision on Sunday. They were also instructed to ensure minimal consumer disruption in the provision of alternative services.
“All Blackberry services fall within the UAE regulatory framework developed by the TRA since 2007, however because of Blackberry’s technical configuration, some Blackberry services operate beyond the enforcement of these regulations,” said a statement issued by the TRA.
“Blackberry data is immediately exported off-shore, where it is managed by a foreign, commercial organization. Blackberry data services are currently the only data services operating in the UAE where this is the case.
“Today’s decision is based on the fact that, in their current form, certain Blackberry services allow users to act without any legal accountability, causing judicial, social and national security concerns for the UAE.”
Etisalat and Du respond to BlackBerry ban
UAE telcos Etisalat and du have confirmed they will comply with the TRA’s decision to suspend certain BlackBerry services starting October 11, 2010.
The two operators each issued short statements, in which they confirmed they were looking to deliver alternative solutions to BlackBerry customers who face being unable to use services providing email, web browsing, instant messaging and social networking.
“This is an important decision made by the Regulatory Authority and we fully understand the legal and social considerations behind the decision,” said Etisalat in a statement.
Microsoft ready to Bang Google with Bing
Now after Wolfram Alpha, Microsoft has showcased a new search engine, Bing, which will specifically focus on travel, shopping, health and local business results. The Redmond-based giant is marketing the new website as a ‘decision engine’ that provides more detailed information than standard search results.
“Today, search engines do a decent job of helping people navigate the Web and find information, but they don’t do a very good job of enabling people to use the information they find,” said Steve Ballmer, Microsoft CEO.
Human Ear Could Be Next Biometric System
Biometric technique to use ear as third-party identification being investigated by British scientists.
British scientists are investigating the viability of a new biometric technique that would make use of the human ear as a way for a third party to identify the person they are speaking to.
According to a report in the New Scientist, instead of asking for passwords or pin numbers, a call centre or bank would simply use a device on their telephone to produce a brief series of clicks in the recipients ear to make sure the person is who they say they are.
The New Scientist says the idea is based on something called otoacoustic emissions (OAEs), the ear-generated sounds that emanate from within the spiral-shaped cochlea in the inner ear. They are thought to be produced by the motion of hair cells within the outer part of the cochlea. Typically, sounds entering the ear cause these outer hair cells to vibrate, and these vibrations are converted to electrical signals which are transmitted along the auditory nerve, allowing the sound to be sensed. Crucially, these cells also create their own sounds as they expand and contract.
A Guide to Choose Accounting Software
Why Change at all?
Deciding whether we need to change or not is an important decision.
Who should consider choosing a new accounting system? Do any of these describe you and your Organization?
- Your company has always used manual accounting. And now you feel need to have accurate and fast flow of information.
- You are a fast growing company and need a system that can grow with you?
- Your company has out grown your current system.
- Your process has changed the way you do the business.
- You want to switch to an e-business solution with an integrated financial backend.
- Your Company is geographically dispersed now and you need fully web-based solution.
Deciding to change is always difficult. It’s comfortable to use something that’s known and understood. There is usually fear involved (or at least a strong apprehension) with switching to something new and unknown.
But when you have challenge to grow, you have to face and accept changes. Comfort doesn’t always cut it – especially when it comes to the financial health and long term success of your business.
What a good system delivers?
Properly installed and implemented accounting software can contribute many benefits to your organization, including:
• Better decision-making capabilities
Sound accounting software can provide both a snapshot-in-time look at your organization, as well as the detailed reports and other data necessary for long-term strategic planning.
• Improved cash flow
Cash management is essential for all businesses. Integrated billing, inventory, accounts receivable and accounts payable allow you to manage that valuable cash more easily and efficiently. Better cash management provides your organization with more options for revenue-generating campaigns and long-term growth.
• More accurate information
With fully integrated accounting software, you’ll not only have more information at your fingertips, you’ll have more accurate information. Unlike a manual accounting system, where a great deal of time is spent cross-checking figures recorded in different ledgers (and where the potential for errors dramatically increases)—in a good computerized accounting system, information is entered only once and is used throughout the system.
• More control
Integrated accounting software provides real-time access to your organization’s critical financial information. This provides you with greater control and the ability to more efficiently manage the components of your business.
• A foundation for growth
The right accounting software can help you as your organization grows: expanding as your business expands, allowing for additional users and offering the kinds of reports and other business intelligence data required.
Do this for better decision
The challenges to successfully choosing, installing and implementing new accounting software are many. But so are the opportunities—to gain greater control of your organization’s financial affairs, to make better decisions, and to improve cash flow, among others.
The reminder of this guide describes the six steps to successfully selecting accounting software:
1. Involve the right people
2. Define the challenge
3. Choose a consultant
4. Implement the system
5. Post Implementation Concerns
1. Involve the right People
Your accounting software generates information used throughout most of your organization. That’s why choosing new software shouldn’t be delegated to a single department or manager. Participation across functional groups will help you select, implement and use the best possible solution.
There are, in general, five groups of people who should be involved in the selection process:
System Users
These are the people who will use the software daily. They need the software to be user-friendly, logical and efficient.
System Managers
Managers supervise the system users. These system managers must understand the financial information and reporting needs required by upper management, and then direct system users about how to effectively use the system.
System Customers
Financial information customers can be found throughout the organization, in every department and at any level. These people rely on the reports, summaries and other data generated by the accounting system to make decisions and otherwise manage their particular group or department. System customers may not necessarily understand accounting fundamentals, but they do require the information supplied by the software.
System Sign-offs
These are the people who must give final approval to acquire the system. Typically this group includes representatives from Information Systems (IS), accounting and the executive management team. The company president or CEO may play a prominent role in selecting the system, or may delegate this task downward.
IS Staff
Representatives from the organization’s IS staff should be closely involved in the accounting software selection process and typically play key roles in the software’s installation and ongoing upkeep.
2. Define the challenge
Understanding your business’s financial information capabilities and weaknesses is critical to selecting the appropriate accounting software solution. The more you know about the challenges you expect the software to solve, the more informed decision you’ll make.
Questions to ask
What are some of the challenges your organization currently is experiencing with its accounting system?
Questions you might consider include:
- Which manual tasks would benefit the organization by becoming automated?
- Where in the accounting cycle are you experiencing the highest productivity loss and the highest number of errors?
- How are inaccuracies negatively impacting your organization?
- What information/reports are being requested that currently cannot be created/delivered?
- How could your accounting solution integrate with your e-business initiatives?
Make a list of the challenges you are currently experiencing. Then create a second list of what you’d like to do but are unable to do now. This information should become your core list of requirements when evaluating new accounting software.
Other Questions to ask
- What information do I need to make strategic decisions?
This could include results from budgeting and modeling your business. It might include current gross profit by product, customer or salesperson. You probably want to predict which customers and products are growing and which arc declining. You may want to use financial ratios to measure your company’s performance against competitors. Your general ledger can show key profit and cost center performance against budget to help you evaluate each group’s effectiveness.
- What do I need to accurately forecast and control my cash flow?
Because cash is the lifeblood of a business, forecasting cash flow should be a key element of your accounting system. Sales order and purchase order tracking will also be invaluable, since they provide advance information about future cash inflow and outflow. Other elements that effect cash, which must be accurately monitored, include manufacturing workflow, shipping, receiving workloads and the movement of materials.
- What information do I need to manage my assets?
Accounts receivable and inventory are often the principal financial assets of a business. Most of your company’s cash is tied up in these assets, so small swings in the amount of either of these two can have a huge impact on your cash flow. Your payback from exerting more control over your assets is easily visible and immediately apparent.
- What should I automate to grow?
Many businesses automate for the wrong reasons, or computerize functions that offer little payback. First, apply your resources to the areas with the most benefit to your bottom line. You can determine these areas through careful study and analysis of your information system.
- How flexible can we be?
It makes sense to consider accounting software that has been created specifically for the general size of your business. Even following that general guideline, however, realize that few organizations use accounting software “as it is.” Most businesses customize one or more aspects of their accounting software. Those organizations that are most adaptable and attempt to integrate the most customization and flexibility will receive the most out of their accounting software solution.
You shouldn’t have to change the way you do business to suit your accounting package. Make sure the accounting solution you choose is flexible enough to adjust to your business requirements.
3. Choose a consultant
It’s possible that your organization has the internal staff to successfully implement your new accounting system. It’s more likely, however, that you don’t have the people or time resources—or expertise—to devote to analyzing, purchasing, installing and maintaining a system.
A company who provides consultancy in both Business affairs (e.g., Information system development, Taxation and other business affairs, etc.) and Information technology (e.g., choosing right software and Analysis services for customized solution development, etc) can help considerably. Consultants have special expertise – they’ve been through the purchasing, developing and implementing process many times. And while they charge fees, they can help your organization in four significant ways:
- Analyzing and isolating your business needs & problems.
- Evaluate and select the best accounting system for your organization.
- Determine the hidden costs of solution. e.g., upgrade of existing hardware or purchase of new hardware, etc.
- Save time and money during system installing and subsequent training.
- Get the most out of your new system based on the system’s capabilities and your organization’s requirements.
Choosing a right consultant is very critical. As it is the company who is to analyze your needs, select or give assistance in development of right software and proper implementation and training of your staff to operate that software.
Following considerations should be taken in mind when selecting a consultant:
- The Consultant should have good knowledge and experience of business affairs.
- The Consultant should have expertise and experience in Software development and implementation.
- The Consultant should have complete knowledge of world’s leading business software. So that if any of such software fulfills your needs, you choose that software. Choosing a proven solution always reduces the risks.
- The consultant should have goodwill and assurance of providing after sale support Continuous support is the most important factor in choosing an accounting system. It includes upgrading the system, training of new employees, further modification in the system, etc.
4. Implementing the system
Once you have chosen a solution, and it has been developed or purchased, it’s time to install the solution. If you have done your homework, this is most exciting part of the process. Please note, however, it can be frustrating time as well! It will take time to safely install the new software without damaging or otherwise invalidating your existing system. Inevitably, there will also be a few kinds of works out.
What is the best way to make the implementation process smooth and successful one?
Follow these guidelines.
Prioritizing your automation
Weather you have chosen ready made software or have decide for a customized development, it should be implemented in such a way that it affect the daily operations minimum. To achieve that goal, software should be implemented in steps. We suggest automation in the following order.
- General Ledger,
- Account Payable,
- Account Receivable,
- Inventories,
- Payroll,
- Fixed Assets, etc.
A well planned implementation of software will reduce friction from the employees and they will happy with change.
Provide good training
Even the best software can be a nightmare to the organization if people are not properly trained to use it. People are the key to success of any accounting software program. Good staff training is essential and provides the information, practice and involvement needed to get the most out of software.
Note that different people within an organization will have different skills and levels of experience with computers; one training class will probably not be right for every system user. Ask your consultant or software vendor for a training plan that will get everyone up to speed (at his or her own level) quickly. Keep People informed
Frequent review meetings during the implementation phase will also help people become familiar with the new system. Don’t surprise users—let them know when changes will occur. As well, keep your management team involved during the implementation process through meetings, attending the training, etc.
Don’t go too fast
Rushing the implementation can cause mistakes and unnecessary tension. Time your installation and implementation of the new software as close as possible to your organization’s slow time of year. When you are ready to convert to the new system, attempt to do so during a weekend, to minimize business interruptions. You may even consider converting to the new system on a module-by-module basis or running in parallel with your existing system for verification purposes.
Alter job titles to reflect increased responsibilities
The implementation process will almost certainly present one or more employees with a chance to perform exceptionally or exceed what their role has been in the past. Extra work—evenings, weekends—may also be required. Reward these efforts with a spot bonus and/or a promotion.
Post implementation concerns
Ask your consultant for support plan
Plan for ongoing review and evaluation of the system.
Document all changes and customization made.
Five Tips to be Winner during Recession.
Yesterday, I heard news from a Pakistani Businessman that Pakistan Export Board has cut their marketing budget by 75%.When he asked reason, officials told, due to economic position of country and overall world-wide recession, they have to. He asked that official, when business is down, is it wise to shutter down the shop or make more efforts to get business? That official had no reply. And I am sure, most of us don’t have reply for the same. For example, by cutting down marketing budgets, what we do actually? We make recession worse, as we cut the way to get new business. Marketing is not a choice; it’s a necessity and must for growth. Yes Marketing is a tool that can actually bring you out of bad effects of recession.
“There are two ways of dealing with the crisis. One is to put your head in the sand and cry every day, and wait for the inevitable,” “The other, is to try and do something about it.”
Here are my 5 tips to be winner during recession.
1. Don’t find easy solutions:
Cutting the cost by laying off employees, cutting advertising or reducing inventory levels, all usually results in lowering sales. It reduces company morale and resulting poor customer service. So these easy solutions actually make bad time worse. Its much better to think out of box, rather than cutting costs, concentrate to find more ways to sell and strengthen your relations with existing customers to get more sales from them.
2. Recession is a Threat? No, it’s an opportunity:
For small business, Economic downturns generate new opportunities. It’s a famous saying in Pakistan, “when one door close, two new opens”. Here are some tips:
- Increase your advertising and marketing efforts. When every one is cutting costs by reducing marketing budgets, your voice will be heard more clearly. Use more effective methods of Advertisement and Marketing.
- Pay close attention to your customers. Listen complains, get feed backs and make your service better. Existing customers will bring new customers for you, if they are happy.
- Make a stronger follow up system. Use some CRM, to maintain records of your customers, prospects and leads. Let your customers feel, you care.
- Less Competition: yes, finding easy solution, most of business will loose their customers. And you can grab them with better offerings and better services.
3. Stick to Fundamentals:
Stick to fundamental business rules studied during MBA classes.
- Pay attention to find better and low cost suppliers. Make negotiations with your existing suppliers to cut cost and make their supplies better. Obtain quotations from Competitor suppliers on regular basis to check cost and quality.
- Value each customer. Don’t let any deal go.
- Its best time to adopt Activity based costing. Measure and watch each cost Activity closely. Measure Employee performance more closely and relate that directly to projects. Measure your Advertising Cost and compare it with results, etc. Everything that can be measured can be improved.
- Be at your best. Start Every Day like a new start. Make objectives for the Day, Week and month and struggle hard to achieve them. Make small betterments every day. It will make things in-control for you.
4. Avoid Interest:
Do you know why China is facing less recession effects than America and Europe? Buy Luxury for you with amount you have and don’t take loans on interest. It will add up your financial crisis and mental stress. Even the business buildup on Interest may fall down quickly during recession.
5. Refuse to Give Up
When you are ready to quit, you’re closer than you think. Make it you main goal to survive this recession. Every-one can reap benefits when there are good times. Real winner is: who pass through tough times. Work hard and refuse to give up, and you will be the winner.
What’s Next?
Don’t rely on in-experienced Web Designers and amateur SEOs. If you are interested in partnering with a firm that understands the needs of a modern website and well experienced SEO then Wisdom IT Solutions LLC is here to help. Feel free to check out our website or contact me today at khuram@wistech.biz to learn about how we can help you meet your goals on the web. We have local support in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE.
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Predicting the IT trends of 2009: What’s in and what’s out
Here is a list of counterpoints, trends that will be “IN” and related trends that will be on their way “OUT” during 2009. These are not absolutes. The INs will not be ubiquitous and the OUTs won’t be extinct. The rule of thumb here is that for the INs you’ll see more of them in 2009 than you saw in 2008, while you’ll see less of the OUTs in 2009 than you did last year. So here we go…
IN: IT pros with business skills – OUT: Technical certifications
IN: Web-based applications – OUT: Build-it-yourself custom software
IN: Automating processes to save money – OUT: Long-term projects
IN: Macs in the enterprise – OUT: Upgrading XP machines to Vista
IN: Virtualization – OUT: Infinite racks of small servers
IN: Core i7 – OUT: The Pentium brand
IN: Thin clients – OUT: A laptop for every knowledge worker
IN: WiMAX – OUT: Metro Wi-Fi
IN: Ubuntu – OUT: Red Hat
IN: Business Intelligence (BI) – OUT: SNMP data overload
IN: Telecommuting – OUT: The 8-5 work day
IN: HP laptops and desktops – OUT: Dell laptops and desktops
IN: Multifunction server appliances – OUT: Best-of-breed network devices
IN: Smartphones – OUT: Desktop-replacement notebooks
IN: Video conferencing – OUT: Air travel for a single meeting
IN: More internships – OUT: Filling open positions
IN: Conserving energy – OUT: Building IT for future growth
IN: WAN acceleration – OUT: Dark fiber
IN: 3G broadband – OUT: Frame relay
IN: Netbooks – OUT: Desktop PCs
IN: Microsoft Office on the Web – OUT: Azure, Live Mesh, and Windows Live
IN: CIOs with minimal tech background – OUT: CIO as lead engineer
Disclaimer: Received in a mail from a friend just like many mails that come without source. Found it quite interesting.
Seven Effective Advertisement Tips for Small Business
Either you advertise online or using conventional methods, here are some points which should be considered for 
effective advertising campaign.
1. Start Small
Start small with different media of advertisements available. Find advertisement that best suits your business. Be innovative, try both online and conventional methods and see which method not only attract prospects but actually generate sales.
Another Reason to start small is, you should have enough potential to handle leads. If you start wit a big advertisement campaign, and unable to handle and properly attend lot of leads coming out, you are actually waiting your money as well company future by earning negative goodwill.
2. Exit Strategy:
Always be ready to cancel the deal or leave advertising method, which is not working for you. Don’t spend or stuck all your advertising budget in a advertising activity which donot have exit door.
3. Advertising Works Quickly:
Advertising that works, work quickly. Don’t believe on “sales line” that you need to run advertisement many time to make it work.
4. Effective advertising Pays for itself:
Advertising either work or donot work. And advertising that works, pays for itself within reasonable period of time. Reasonable period can be days, weeks or months but never more than a year.
5. Measurement:
Advertising that can’t be measured, cannot generate proper results. Or atleast you can never calculate Return on Investment. Always do advertisement that is measureable.
6. Closing Deal:
Effective advertisement has two parts. First to attract prospects and 2nd to close deal. Without ability to close deal, no advertisement can generate results. Examples can be a good website, Customer Service Specialists or Sales People.
7. Offer Better:
Offer some thing like Free Shipping, Free Parking or highly attractive prices or some other attractive offers that makes you stand out of competition. Stand out of Crowd. People will buy from you if you will give them value.
CAN-SPAM Rules – Must to observer for Email Senders
What is CAN –SPAM?
As the Internet and email became a larger part of everyday, spam became most favorite way for unethical marketers to make quick money. The CAN-SPAM act criminalized SPAM and provide consumers a way to help stop the flood of useless messages in their inbox. As a Professional e-Marketing Company, we regularly use email Marketing. Observing CAN-SPAM rules not only increase customer confidence, but also help to avoid any legal consequences. My Customers often ask, what is CAN-SPAM Rules? Although it’s 80 Pages document, but following are most important for us to observe, not only while email marketing but also while sending personal emails.
Required:
- The inclusion of a legitimate return e-mail and physical postal address for the sender.
- The inclusion of a functioning opt-out mechanism, which must remain active for a minimum of 30 days after sending the emails, with clear and conspicuous notice of the opportunity to opt-out.
- Senders must to honor any such opt-out request within 10 days of the request.
- Clear and conspicuous notice that the message is an advertisement or solicitation in the subject line or content of the email.
- Messages with sexually oriented material to be so clearly identified, and at least “one click away” from the main email.
Prohibited:
- Senders are prohibited from falsifying or disguising their true identity, such as using a misleading “from” address.
- The use of misleading subject lines which masks the true purpose of the email.
- The harvesting of e-mail addresses by either (1) automatic means from an Internet Web site or proprietary online service maintained by a third party that bans this practice; or (2) an automated system that generates possible electronic addresses by combining names, letters and numbers in numerous permutations.
- Knowingly sending false or misleading information.
- The use of “open relays” to send email.
