Enterprise apps are the bottleneck now- 📱 The Need for Mobile-First Software: Bridging the Gap for Deskless Workers 🛠️

 I had to give my car for servicing at Skoda service center, onboarding was smooth as the executive was using a mobile phone to take photographs from an onboarding app. It was very fast too!

While billing, there was bunch of printouts, checking on his desk computer many things, clicking few things on his screen, going here and there before asking me to go to another desk for payment. Payment guy was again taking few printouts, clicking few things on his screen before asking me sign on few pages….

Legacy Softwares are missing the requirement of deskless or field workers. This is the same thing for kirana store apps in India. Large number of SME’s or businesses in developing world has never used PC/laptop, they are not comfortable using even excel sheet, applying formulas, saving data and making sense of it. They want simplified version of excel sheet for their requirement, without any complexity of excel sheet, analytics, billing etc.

Eventually every process in the operations, sales, marketing etc. need to move to simplified mobile first software.

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📱 The Need for Mobile-First Software: Bridging the Gap for Deskless Workers 🛠️

My recent visit to a car service center highlighted the pivotal role of mobile-first software in modernising operations and bottleneck wherever legacy software comes in play. 🚗

📸 During the onboarding process, I marvelled at the efficiency of the executive who swiftly navigated through tasks using a mobile app. One standout feature was the ability for executives to capture photos using a mobile app, annotating them to pinpoint key points and streamline communication. This simple yet effective tool enhanced efficiency and collaboration, highlighted the need for similar solutions across industries, particularly for deskless or field workers. 📝

However, the scene shifted when it came to billing. The reliance on legacy systems became evident as paperwork piled up, requiring manual checks and multiple desk visits. It dawned on me that many SMEs and businesses, are still grappling with archaic systems or they don’t have access to any meaningful software, that cater to their needs. 

If we look at the success of digitisation of kirana stores in India by several apps in the domain points towards the same requirements. These simplified solutions streamline operations, from sales to marketing, empowering businesses to thrive in today's fast-paced digital landscape. Unlike traditional PC-centric solutions, mobile-first platforms offer simplicity and accessibility, eliminating the barriers posed by complex tools like Excel sheets (yes, even Excel is very complex for many who see smartphone as first computer).

The time is ripe for a paradigm shift towards mobile-first software, ensuring that every worker, regardless of their location or device preference, can harness the full potential of modern technology. Let's bridge the gap and embrace the future of work together!

But the innovation doesn't stop there. Imagine the possibilities of augmented reality (AR) in byte-sized training and support. By overlaying virtual objects onto real-world environments, AR technology can revolutionise the way workers learn and troubleshoot on the go. 🌐

As we embrace the digital transformation journey, let's prfioritize solutions that empower desk-less workers through intuitive mobile interfaces, annotation tools, and augmented reality experiences. Together, we can shape a future where technology enhances productivity and drives success. 💼

#MobileFirst #DesklessWorkers #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #AugmentedReality

Are Generic Industry Conferences Worth Attending? Unveiling the Takeaways for Delegates and Speakers 🌟🎤

Have you ever wondered if attending generic industry conferences, where multiple sectors converge, is truly worthwhile? What exactly can delegates and speakers glean from such events?

Recently, I had the privilege of participating as a speaker at an industry event tailored for SME manufacturing companies in Pune. 🏭🌆 The lineup included esteemed CXO’s from various large manufacturing companies, industry 4.0 solution providers and governmental bodies. 🤝👔

These gatherings serve as captivating platforms where individuals exchange experiences and insights in compelling ways. However, beyond the invaluable learning opportunities, what specific benefits do these events offer to delegates? Can attendees expect tangible outcomes, especially if they're seeking business matchmaking opportunities?

Perhaps it's time for industry events to adopt a more tailored approach. Instead of merely focusing on attracting a large number of participants, organizers could enhance the event's effectiveness by prioritizing quality and output. This shift involves engaging with industries beforehand, posing critical questions such as their desired outcomes from the event, the solutions they're seeking, their willingness to engage with smaller companies, and whether there are documented problem statements available. 📈💡

By circulating these inquiries among solution providers, organizers can better prepare for the event and identify companies that align with the criteria, maximizing the potential for meaningful outcomes. While larger attendance numbers may be appealing, smaller, more focused groups have the potential to yield significant results. 🔍✨

In essence, it's time to shift the paradigm from quantity to quality. By fostering deeper engagement and strategic alignment between participants and solution providers, industry events can catalyze impactful collaborations and drive meaningful progress. 🚀🔑

Book Smart- Books price comparison for India market

Released pre beta version of books prices comparison app on Android app store. Got few good suggestions also from users and hope to update the app with some of them by today (that would be very fast). Doing service launch gives you lot many learning about the market, UI, user etc. than working in isolation to build so called best product/service. We have many more scheduled release on the same line for books and other categories on multiple platform. It also give a very good and relevant feedback to the team, excitement of releasing an app and in the end fun + satisfaction.

OJAS party

Sunny day today but it was a good fun at OJAS portfolio companies party at Confident groups resort on Bangalore outskirts (Bannerghatta road). Though Mango is not in the their portfolio now but Rajesh and Pavan are kind enough to invite us for the get together. Good to know the growing and diverse portfolio at Ojas (video algos, banner ads, campus connect etc. domain)

Zynga growing in Bangalore

Interesting to see that companies like Zynga who have built popular games on social platforms like Cityville, Farmville etc. They plan to open a complete game studio and they would be focussing on creative conceptualization from this studio, it's good for the overall SW product industry here and it shows that we are growing in value chain.

AppData, a US based entity that tracks the traffic on social networking platforms says 92.9 million active users spend a considerable time playing Zynga’s latest game, Cityville. Farmville still remains to be a considerable favorite with over 49.6 million active users owning virtual farmlands.

Tablet PC/Pad's

After seeing iPAD2 demo video, i'm more than convinced that everyone else is fighting for number 3 and beyond slots.

No. 1: iPAD2,

N0.2: iPAD1

Haven't seen any tablet PC yet which is better than iPAD1 (not in terms of useless specs but what matters to the end user). Few killer features for me are user experience, battery life, instant on speed (no lag), and access to so many apps...

Angry Birds Maker Rovio Raises $42 Million

Wow...Currently, Angry Birds is played by 40 million monthly active users. The company has 50 employees and raising $42 Million.

more at http://techcrunch.com/2011/03/10/angry-birds-maker-rovio-raises-42-million-from-accel-atomico-and-felicis/

Reasons to get stuck on Qt: a baker’s dozen

Nokia is giving so many reasons to developers to stick to QT but they themselves are not sticking to it, why ask developer?

below are the 13 reasons on official nokia blog site.

http://conversations.nokia.com/2011/03/10/reasons-to-get-stuck-on-qt-a-bakers-dozen/?sf1168252=1

new ventures in MNC ecosystems round table

Interesting discussion at the Round Table Discussion on How do new ventures in MNC ecosystems proactively overcome interfirm asymmetries? at IIMB.

Panelists:
1. Mr Sunil Maheshwari, Co-founder, Mango Technologies
2. Mr Srini Rajam, Chairman and CEO, Ittiam Systems
3. Mr Sanjay Shah, MD, Invensys Skelta
4. Mr T.K. Srikanth, VP, Sasken
Anchors: Prof Shameen Prashantham, University of Glasgow and Prof K Kumar, IIMB

Since this is an event which is eventually geared towards publication, there were small invited audience of other faculty, observers and students.

Great learning for myself from other's experience.

Smart phone sales up but overall handset sales down

According to Gartner Worldwide Mobile Phone Sales Declined 8.6 Per Cent and Smartphones Grew 12.7 PerCent in First Quarter of 2009.

Few key points: Nokia's sales declining but interestingly Blackberry and Apple is growing very fast.

Now again Motorola is trying to catchup with others and trying to regain the lost glowry!

>80 and going strong

Yesterday I watched two old man, one on TV and another one live performing in Bangalore.

First one is LK Advani, BJP's prime ministerial candidate, he is 81 years old and the way he was giving his speech at the NDA rally in Punjab, it was great. Almost from last 2 months he is traveling expensively across India, giving multiple speeches, taking flights and reaching to the new destination.

Second one is Manna Dey, the great Bollywood  singer, he is in his 91st years. He was giving live performance in Bangalore and almost sang for more than 2 hours, his team was much younger than him (must be in their 30s or 40s) but they asked for a break in between not him. Amazing stuff.

How do they get this kind of energy and enthusiasm in whatever they do? If i just look around with people in their 20s and 30s, i don't find the same zeal to get going. Where is the vigor or spark? Can we take 2hrs flight in the morning, attend one meeting, again take a flight for another place, attend one more meeting, return to your home and come back fresh the next morning to office?

Are we just doing something because we have to do it to earn our livelihood? Where is the creativity? Where is the emotional connection with what we are doing?