All posts by [x]cube LABS

[x]cube LABS is a leading digital strategy and solution provider specializing in enterprise mobility space. Over the years, we have delivered numerous digital innovations and mobile solutions, creating over $ 2 billion for startups and enterprises. Broad spectrum of services ranging from mobile app development to enterprise digital strategy makes us the partner of choice for leading brands.

Big Data & Predictive Analytics, Blog

Big Data in Travel: Leveraging data to boost customer experience

April 17, 2015 [x]cube LABS

It’s your first visit to a city and you have no one to guide you, imagine the tragedies that might befall: the hotel you check-in has worst facilities, you don’t have enough information to go around the city. In short, your whole trip gets ruined and the reason being lack of real-time information. But with big data entering into the picture, online services have come to rescue.

The biggest opportunity for the application of big data in travel industry is in the extensive personalization of offerings to match customers individual needs. Travelers always want unique destination matching their preferences, comfort of home and now travel companies can provide it with the help of insights gained from big data. Some companies are even gathering the data of browsing movements of customers on the website in real time to better understand their needs and cater to them.

CURRENT STATE

Current state of Big Data in the travel industry:

Now it has evolved from just profiling to personalization. Eg. Recommending specific hotel based on wants and previous purchase patterns.
Google has developed a high speed restricted version of web for premium services.
Processing of data via cloud has been recent development. Travel is complex and increased bandwidth is necessary to support

Few attributes which make big data important:

Millennials visit 10.4 sources of online information before buying.
75% have social media profile
83% sleep with mobile by bed-side
57% update their social media while traveling

(Source: Tnooz & American express Insights)

USAGE AND POSSIBILITIES in TRAVEL INDUSTRY

Revenue Management: Travel industry can offer optimized pricing for perishable commodities such as seats and hotel rooms.
Increase in personalization: This can be done based on consumer’s behaviour, social media relationship, location, etc.
Travel Management: Big data can be used to profile a traveller and henceforth provide them with itinerary management and other related services.
New Revenue Models: Big Data can help in exploring new revenue models according to your current performance and can impact the margins.

BENEFITS

Better decision support: Big data not on speeds up decisions and data processing but also helps to make more customer focused decisions.

New products and services for customers: With the use of big data the wants and needs of people have clearly in focus so new products and services can be developed to serve them better.

Big data also helps in better engaging with customers and developing long-term relations.

With services such as travel increasingly getting personalized and customers creating more data than ever, it makes perfect sense for companies to leverage technologies like big data and analytics to boost performance, customer experience and profits.

However, it’s not just enough to collect and process piles of data. The real value lies in making sense from the data and turning it into actionable insights and then implementing it with a strategy. Big data is set to change the face of Travel in future.

Blog, Quality Assurance/Testing

Let’s Explore – Think Beyond Traditional Testing Boundaries

April 15, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Just Explore, Explore, Explore the application – these are words we commonly come across when a new tester enters into the team. Basically by exploring, testers are able to learn,discover and investigate the product while testing the same. In advance ET can be used for finding some critical bugs which are not found using scripted document.

One of the real-time examples we generally face during release time is ‘while playing with the product we are free to do what we are not supposed to do; we may get a critical bug which delays the product release that too after completing the last round of regression which was not a result of any documented test case. Here, Exploratory Testing plays a major role.

What exactly is Exploratory Testing?

The product should do what it is supposed to do and it should not do what it is not supposed to do.

Exploratory Testing is like playing Chess. A good chess player plays his next move depending upon the opponent’s move and the stage of the game. The focus of ET is more on testing as a thinking activity.

It is the most important part of test lifecycle. Limiting our testing boundaries makes us an incomplete tester. Most of the time testers think that their duty is over if regression testing is done and bugs are reported. But it is the moment when tester’s real job starts. In regression we only cover test scripts using the Scripted Test Execution but there are some situations where we cannot document each and every small scenario. By using ET we not only find defects but also provide confidence about the product quality. It also improves the tester’s analysis skills and enables the tester to become more innovative.

Most of us may think that Exploratory Testing comes under Ad hoc testing, but it’s not true. Ad hoc testing is done with a perspective that we know the product and its functionality, and randomly check its functionality.

Simply put, if an expert bike racer is checking his bike randomly, by applying full acceleration and brake simultaneously, it’s called Ad hoc Testing as he is somehow aware about the end result and knows how it works.

If a person who never rides a bike tries to check a racer bike randomly, he learns while exploring what is an accelerator and what is a brake, and then tries to apply both simultaneously, it’s called Exploratory Testing.

Who should perform Exploratory Testing?

Informal Exploratory Testing can be done by anyone in the team including testers, developers and business analysts. It is an excellent way to know both strengths and weaknesses of the product. The more we explore, the better it is as we then cover the product in every perspective and verify the defects. But for formal Exploratory Testing, we require a skilled tester who has the following qualities:

Passion for testing
Critical Thinking covering the out-of-the-box view
Quick Learning
Communication (both Oral and Written)
Bug Hunting and Bug investigation

How to look at a product from different perspectives?

Understanding the Customer: We need to check the purpose of the product. But how can we understand the customer’s point of view? Simple. We should think like the customer. Thinking just like a customer is not enough. We should think how different customers handle the product because no two customers who bought the same raw materials will prepare the same recipe as they have different mindsets.
Mindset: We shouldn’t set any expectations when we start exploring the application as it stops our thinking to a certain limit. So open up and think beyond the expectations as every bug can’t be found by a scripted test.
Know the Competitors: Everyone wants to have something extra for what they pay. As a tester, finding bugs is not our only responsibility. Our focus should be to make the product qualitative. So even if we cannot find something, we can definitely suggest a useful functionality we observed in a competitor’s product to make the product better.

Exploratory Testing is like a Crime Scene Investigation i.e., solving the case just by exploring clues. Moreover, it is better to test well enough in many ways than to test perfectly in just one or two ways.

(Vikas Donkeshwara works as QA Engineer at [x]cubeLABS. He has 3 years of testing experience in domains like Education,Healthcare and Finance.)

Blog, Quality Assurance/Testing

Ad hoc Testing: How to find defects without formal testing process

April 13, 2015 [x]cube LABS

In Software testing the term ‘Ad hoc testing’ is commonly used, which does not follow any structured way of testing. This type of testing is performed after the formal test execution. The Tester has the freedom to use his creative testing skills, and a better output can be obtained if Ad hoc testing is performed by only those who are more knowledgeable and experienced in specific domain/ system/application.

By performing this type of testing with well-experienced, domain expert tester we can find out new issues/bugs apart from formal test execution bugs as this testing has no boundaries or no structured plan. Ad hoc testing can be achieved with the testing technique called Error Guessing. Error Guessing can be done by people who have enough experience on the system to “guess” the most likely source of errors.

When do we do Ad hoc Testing?

When the testers do not have enough time on hand to do a detailed testing with proper test plans and test cases, they can do an Ad hoc Testing. By performing this type of testing on any application, one can get better output in terms of the product quality and can raise some design questions.

Types of Ad hoc Testing:

Buddy Testing: Two buddies work on the same module to identify defects. Out of the two, one is from the development team and the other from the testing team. This will help the tester to develop better test cases and also development teams can make design changes early, as time plays a major role in the IT industry.

Pair Testing: This testing is similar to buddy testing but here, both people are from the testing team but with different experience levels. While performing the testing, both should share their ideas depending on their experience levels and find the defects. Here one is a tester and the other is a scriber.

Monkey Testing: Testing an application randomly without any test cases with a goal to break the system comes under this testing.

Advantages:

The main advantage of this type of testing is to check the completeness of testing and find more defects than the normal planned testing because the tester applies various innovative methods to test the application. While performing this type of testing, the tester can get some defect catching cases and those can be added to our normal planned test cases.
As the time factor plays a major role in the IT industry, this testing method helps testers by saving a lot of time as it does not require an elaborate test planning, documentation and test case design.
Those who are new to the testing field should use this as a platform to gain as much knowledge as possible to design better Ad hoc scenarios.

Drawbacks:

As this type of testing does not follow a structured way of testing and no documentation is mandatory, the main disadvantage is that the tester has to remember all scenarios.
The tester will not be able to recreate bugs in the subsequent attempts, should someone ask for issue reproducibility.

Ad hoc testing gives us knowledge on applications with a variety of domains. And within a short time one gets to test the entire application, it gives confidence to the tester to prepare more Ad hoc scenarios, as formal test scenarios can be written based on the requirement but Ad hoc scenarios can be obtained by doing one round of Ad hoc testing on application to find more bugs, rather than through formal test execution.

(Venkatapavan Guptha works as QA Engineer at [x]cubeLABS. He has over 4 years of experience in Mobile and Web Applications and has expertise in testing domains like Healthcare and Gaming.)

Blog, Quality Assurance/Testing

Mobile Testing: Achieving quality for Android applications

April 8, 2015 [x]cube LABS

In Play Store, everyday thousands of new apps are being uploaded making it extremely important to concentrate on the quality of the application.

A good quality application is bound to increase user ratings, better rankings in Play Store, and more downloads over longer periods of time. Going by these facts, the testing of Android applications is more complex and time-consuming when compared to the testing of iOS applications.

The Quality of Android app can be achieved when the application is tested on various Android devices with different OS versions, screen sizes and resolutions available in the real world because some applications which work properly on one Android device may create new UI or functionality-related issues on another and customers (end users) tend to use different mobile phone(s). Mobile App development companies can’t guarantee that their applications will work properly on the entire Android devices in the market.

So before initiating the development phase, the product team in the company will have to decide on the compatibility of the application with base devices and base operating system versions and create a list of most-used android phones and tablets with various android versions, screen sizes and resolutions, after a thorough market analysis.

Based on the list of devices, the testing team will ensure the application functionality is consistent across all devices with different OS.

The next major challenge in testing is network testing, and almost all android applications depend on network connection to get user data from the server or to use the network-dependent functionality like sharing on Facebook & Twitter, and email. The QA team will test all client-server communication scenarios to validate the end user experience and the app behaviour under different network conditions (Wi-Fi and 2G/3G/4G networks), through which we can eliminate the network connectivity or performance issues in the initial stage of testing.

To deliver an issue-free app to the market is a challenge, so the testing team also needs to focus on each and every component of the application and make sure the application has no functionality crashes or UI issues before going live.

(Raghuram works as a Senior QA Engineer at [x]cube LABS. A ISTQB certified tester, he has over 3 years of experience in Mobile, Web Application, Performance testing.)

App Marketing, Blog

Mobile App Engagement: A Solution Kit for App Publishers

April 7, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Scenario 1: A customer has come all the way to the purchase page navigating through various other pages but is leaving without actually making any purchase. He knows all about the product, the app and is very keen but is somehow unable to make up his mind. Now we have the data, we know that activity and we may even be able to predict the user’s intention, but how can we help him to take that step, push him to make that informed choice of purchasing the product?

Scenario 2: It’s Level 10 of an addictive gaming app. Of the 25 users who opened the app on a specific day, only a single user finished the level but 24 users didn’t. Or vice-versa! So we can understand that this level is too difficult for regular people to complete in one attempt. Backed by this data, we can now think of putting in a tweak or a ‘Life’ option or give a tip on how to finish the level.

Strategy on data & trends: A daunting task
App publishers have always had trouble understanding what they should do to engage their current users, and retain them. They have been using various analytical tools like Flurry and Google analytics to trace their users’ behavior but strategizing on what should be done next with the data and trends available is a challenging task to them.

Publishers ponder upon what they can do to get regular feedback, get 5-star ratings, upsell/cross sell, etc. They constantly dig out modes and methods to nurture core community of its users,derive rich insights into product usage, enable stronger brand engagement which keeps their customer loyalty base intact.

Of delays and time lags
App publishers get to know a lot of details about the end-user’s online activities based on the events that get computed continuously in the background. So far, despite knowing this information, clients generate Analytics reports only periodically, see all the events and then decide what they want to do with that data. Thus, there’s a delay between the actual event and the response time.

Push an offer or a tip in real-time
Scenario 3: Now imagine a scenario where they can use the available data and push a discount offer to encourage their customers to purchase a product, or a tip that helps end-users complete a difficult level in a gaming app! And all this in real-time – well, almost immediately – while the end-user is still on the app, unable to make up his mind about the purchase or the level.

How is real-time customer engagement done?

The SDK integrates with the application, captures all the data and presents it on the dashboard of the app publisher, where he can access all the reports and accordingly segment the users besides performing actions like
Tutorials: Both On Launch tutorials that explain the purpose and the usage of app and also Featured tutorials that guide users to perform certain actions.
Ratings: Allows publisher to get a quick feedback. If user provides a 5-star rating, then it pushes it to the app store ensuring visibility, and if the rating is less, then it asks for a feedback.
Notes & FAQs: Helps in managing the content from a singular backend eliminating the need of updating again and again.
Micro Surveys: Enables to get both qualitative and quantitative data via opinion polls, which engage and retain customers by providing useful insights.
Offers: Accelerates revenue flow by offering relevant discounts and deals, and also context-specific offers in app promotions, Interstitial ads, etc.
Cross app promotions: Assists in deriving more mileage from existing user base by targeting existing users discover & download other apps.
Badges: Acknowledge and reward loyal users.
Notifications: Notify users about events and features that allures them.
Trivia: Engage users with contextual interactive games.

Why Brand Kinesis is the right solution?

What if we had one platform which not only helps app publishers to keep a check on the real-time data but also empowers them to take relevant actions.

Brand Kinesis is one such product which resolves the problem by increasing customer lifetime value through an immersive mobile engagement model. It is a platform which does all the above and more, which engages the users and retains them by gathering rich insights which assists in better product planning, leading to increased customer loyalty base.

This analytics platform not only helps tackle the time-lag issue better, but also helps identify trends, prospective customers/users and push a campaign almost immediately. And with this platform, publishers get to know their customers well and can offer special privileges only to those who’re really keen on their product(s) instead of to everyone/ all visitors.

Brand Kinesis will build the roadmap to success for app publishers. It encapsulates benefits from analyzing the performance of the app, and taking follow-up actions which accelerate the performance and enables the app to outshine.

So, we say, ACQUIRE>ENGAGE>MONETIZE>ANALYZE>RETAIN is the way to go as it is the future pipeline to success.

Automobile, Blog, Internet of Things

Connected Cars: Redefining the driving experience

April 2, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Remember Samuel Jackson in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, controlling his car just by talking? Imagine how exciting it would be to do the same with your own car; no hand-eye-leg coordination, just simple verbal instructions! Although that’s something a long way away, the first step towards that has been taken in the form of connected cars.

When we remain connected to everyone always, why disconnect while driving? Efforts are being made to keep us connected without risking our lives. Connected cars is the latest revolution in the field of automobiles.

Technology on wheels

According to McKinsey, connected car is a car which can optimize its own operation & maintenance as well as convenience & comfort of passengers using onboard sensors, mobile apps & internet connectivity. Safety-related systems are likely to be based on a new fast, secure & reliable technology called Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) which is similar to WiFi.

Embedded Telematics Control Unit (TCU) offers a host of functions including e-Call, fully automated accident alert, remote control locking, etc. GPS tracking system & GSM module are enabled in it to help provide those services. TCU also acts as data modem for other devices in the car connected to MOST (Media-Oriented Systems Transport) bus. TCUs are also bluetooth enabled so one can simply switch on the apps they want to connect to their car and connect with the infotainment unit where all the apps will be displayed just like on the mobile screen. There is an option to type in that same screen so you can have social connectivity. Voice has also been enabled to help in navigation and reading out messages while driving so that you don’t risk your life by looking, and yet receive messages, send mails, etc.

What’s driving the connected car market?

The McKinsey report further predicts an increase in global market for connectivity components & services to almost €170bn by 2020 from the present €30bn. A few benefits behind surging demand for connected cars include:

Complete information to driver about car performance so that proper maintenance can be done.
Makes driving seamless & safe.
Real-time data helps in smooth flow of traffic by providing information beforehand about traffic jams, etc., and also simultaneously suggesting alternate route(s), thus saving time.

But there are challenges ahead…

Cars take longer to develop than smartphones. Since phones get updated frequently, it’s important that cars’ software be simultaneously adopted and upgraded as well. Also, carmakers need to partner with mobile makers like the way Chrysler partnered with Sprint Nextel for Dodge Viper, for example. The additional cost of frequent services & updates will have a negative effect on demand, especially in the price-sensitive markets. Data security and privacy are also a concern for many buyers.

Renault, Ford, Lexus, Nissan, and Audi have already adopted connected technologies for cars and the future seems to be of connected cars. However, for its rapid and broad adoption, manufacturers have to address the challenges and make the car affordable to a large number of buyers.

Blog, Healthcare, Wearables

Applications of Wearable Technology in Healthcare

March 31, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Year 2000: You have just been discharged from a hospital but as a precautionary measure you’ve been asked to visit the hospital every second day because the doctor wants to keep a tab on your health. And you have no option but to take that long boring drive to the hospital, wait for your turn, undergo routine check -up and be back.

Fast forward to 2015: Your doctor has a tab on your health developments 24*7 because of that little band that you have been wearing on your wrist. You don’t have to drive all the way to the hospital, and wait for your turn to get attended.

Welcome to the world of wearable technology!

Consumers have lapped up the wearable technology that has monitored everything from heart beats to sleeping patterns. According to a report from Tractica, the global wearable device market will increase from 17 million devices shipped in 2013 to 187.2 million units annually by 2020. This is a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 34 percent. With Apple now officially into the fray, wearable technology is likely to get a powerful thrust in acceptance.

The healthcare industry has always been at the fore when it came to consuming the latest technology. To put it right, it has been an ‘early adopter’. Wearables have now made it into the operation theaters and gyms, helping in live monitoring of one’s health. Wearable technology is making quick headway in the healthcare because all the three stakeholders – doctors, patients and insurers see a lot of upside potential in terms of providing better service.

To the doctors,

Wearables like smart watches and bands help in monitoring and capturing the real-time data of patients to improve diagnosis and deliver better treatments.
Doctors do not need to refer to a physical file each time a patient makes a visit, he can simply have the patient history before him, courtesy Google glass. Google glass in particular can also be used to read to integrate various scans and x-ray reports.
In cases of critical surgeries, wearables help in exchanging critical information on how the patient is responding thus giving more thrust to efficiency.
On a grander canvas, wearables can be used to collect data and predict health trends which eventually help in taking better precautions.

As we move more towards an age where more number of health providers are discouraging people from visiting their hospitals to reduce costs, wearable technology can go a long way to achieve the same because wearables empower the patients to monitor themselves.

To the patients,

Wearables will help patients keep an eye on the state of their health. This will lead to prognosis of diseases and ultimately a better care.
Wearables will give the patients the power to monitor important parameters like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, heartbeat rate etc. This will help them take important decision regarding health to stay fit.
Patients can communicate key data to the doctors in case of any abnormality with one push button. This saves time and timely action can be taken if needed.

To the insurers,

Insurers can use the data collected by wearables to make a better risk profile and come up with more innovative products.
Insurers can also make customized products according to the health pattern and risk profile of the patient.

Healthcare industry surely has exciting times moving into future as wearable technology is making the experience of delivering care more customised, simpler and in-time.

Blog, Retail

Connected Retail Stores: The future of the high street

March 30, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Source- www.wsj.com

Is the age of physical retail stores over? This seems to be the question in everyone’s mind these days. It is true that with the advent of online retail, brick and mortar stores have been affected and the sales declined severely. We have seen big companies like HMT and Blockbuster going bankrupt. However, all is not lost. A recent survey by PwC has found out that consumers overwhelmingly still consider physical retail stores an essential part of the overall retail experience – but it must be connected to a company’s entire offering across multiple channels. The success for retailers lies in understanding what each customer wants and offering them personalised products and interactions to satisfy their needs.

What exactly is connected retail?

Connected retail technology is linking consumers, devices and data leveraging Internet of Things for smarter shopping experiences, from the high street to online, in-store to mobile applications. Retailers who use the right mix of offline and online experiences for their customers will have the biggest advantage in the future. A connected retail landscape can include everything from apps, analytics to augmented reality.

The connected retail landscape:

For physical stores to survive in this digital era, retailers must provide a much more interactive customer experience. The retail store should be much more than a simply place to browse and buy. The retailers should aim to deliver an experience that is personalised for the customer, gives them added value and generates brand loyalty.

Providing a connected experience through free Wi-Fi in the store can be a good way to increase footfall in the store. Free in-store Wi-Fi gets the customers online and if the customers can get online easily, the uptake for the retailer’s app would increase. This enables a two-way communication with the customer and enables the retailer to collect data that can be used, often in real-time, to offer deals and deliver a more targeted personalised experience. For example, customers in Debenhams, a UK-based retailer, can use its mobile app to scan barcodes to order things for home delivery, read reviews and ask friends what they think about a product from the comfort of the changing room.

Augmented reality and digital sign are other ways to keep the customers connected. One emerging technology which the retailers are exploring is beacons, small Bluetooth devices deployed in stores to communicate with the customer’s Smartphone. Beacons give the retailers an opportunity to communicate real-time personalized marketing messages and deals to customers while they are shopping. It also enables to collect data that can give valuable insight into consumer behaviour.

Digital labels can display the latest real-time information on products, including things like the number of likes an item has received on Facebook, while virtual reality mirrors can display images of what garments will look like on customers and allow them to share those images with friends over social media.

Potential to revolutionise retail

Wi-Fi connected stores, augmented reality apps, etc., are just the tip of the iceberg. Connected retail has the potential to revolutionise the industry and transform how retailers operate and how they connect with consumers. It has the potential to a) Improve service delivery through linking consumer data and research to purchase phases b) Deliver a personalised experience by tailoring products to consumers’ personal requirements and c) Enhance the brand experience by creating meaningful experiences that move the consumer from transacting to conversing with brands and thereby improve the in-store experience and breathe new life into the dying brick and mortar stores.

Blog, Wearables

6 examples of businesses leveraging wearable tech to charm customers

March 27, 2015 [x]cube LABS

From smart watches and smart glasses to fitness gear and headsets, the penetration of wearables in our lives and the umpteen possibilities it opens up for enterprises seems baffling. Wearable technology not only connects the dots between online & offline channels while bridging the gap between these channels and the mobile platform, but also reaps heaps of benefits to brands.

The biggest advantage of wearables is that these products let users go hands-free, thereby increasing their usability tenfold. High-tech smart wearables will prove to be particularly beneficial to technicians in the construction industry, miners, search and rescue teams, sales teams, firefighters, and disaster management teams, among others.

Below are a few examples where businesses are using wearable technology to entice their customers.

1. Fitness: If you’re a fitness enthusiast, then there are a bunch of wearables for you in the market. Look, for instance, at fitness trackers like Fitbit Flex, Nike+ FuelBand and Jawbone Up which help you track your all-day activity, monitor your fitness 24X7, check your progress, share statistical data and tidbits with friends and family, keep tabs on your food with calorie estimator by logging the calories consumed through the day, record your workout sessions and set goals based on current data. Fitbit Flex takes the idea of fitness to a newer level by recording your sleep and indicating your sleep patterns as well.

With a long-lasting battery life, these wrist-worn bands let you stay connected wirelessly to your smart phones. While Nike+ FuelBand syncs easily with iPhone 5s or above versions, Fitbit Flex connects to all smart phones across different platforms . With other players like Under Armour now tying up with HTC to bring out an entire range of wearable gear, fitness trackers have now become a most-sought-after commodity and consumers can now expect good products in the market and stay motivated.

2. Healthcare: Wearables have definitely changed the way we look at healthcare. Be it Augmedix using Google Glass to transmit patients’ health reports and related data to their smart phones or tablets, or Droiders connecting Google Glass and augmented reality via their MedicAR app that can assist surgeons during complex and complicated surgical procedures, or other renowned healthcare companies helping patients tackle chronic illness like diabetes, and heart diseases by promoting self-management of diseases using healthcare apps.

And then there are apps like Director, a post-operative healthcare app by Wearable Intelligence, that takes care of procedural checklists by providing a digitized workflow system for therapists who can use the camera to record the specific set of exercises that patients are made to do as part of the physical therapy during their post-surgical recovery period to speed up their recovery process. From monitoring heart and pulse rates to tracking personal health data, from bringing all Emergency Health Records of a patient together under one app to bridging the gap of distance and time between the doctors and their patients, the possibilities and the miracles that wearables can do in the healthcare sector are unimaginable and endless.

3. Sports & Athletics: With the launch of their biometric shirts, Ralph Lauren paved the way for sporting goods retailers to think disruption. The fashion brand’s new smart sporting wear, the Polo Tech smart shirt, was launched in time for the US Open Tennis Tournament 2014 and was worn by ball boys. OMsignal’s technology renders the outfit the capability to transmit data about the wearer’s heart rate, respiration, performance, stress levels, etc., to a connected device like a smartphone or a tablet. The information is collected and relayed by a small recorder which can be removed before washing the smart shirt.

4. Gaming & Virtual Reality: With the launch of its virtual reality headset, Oculus Rift takes gaming to a whole new level. Thanks to the headset’s custom tracking technology, gamers can now be part of their virtual worlds. The Rift provides ultra-low latency 360° head tracking enables users to look around the virtual world by tracking even the subtlest head movements in real-time. Its stereoscopic 3D view presents unique and parallel images for each of the user’s eyes, making his/her visual experience as natural and comfortable as in the real world, besides offering a wider view by widening the scope of the virtual world beyond one’s peripheral vision.

5. Retail: Britain’s leading fashion retailer Topshop has gone a step further in using wearable technology to offer its loyal customers a thrilling experience. The retail brand partnered with Intion to design a headset that enabled customers to watch the Topshop show at the London Fashion Week without moving out of its Oxford Street store. While the five lucky winners won a chance to have a front row experience in virtual reality, the brand got a chance to boost its sales by gently coaxing users to buy clothes, accessories and makeup worn by models during the catwalk, just with the click of a button.

6. Travel & Hospitality: The hospitality industry has so far offered us a few digitized experiences like smart access cards and keyless entries. However, Disneyland’s MagicBand holds your key to a pleasurable dream vacation and a carefree visit. Now visitors can choose to travel light as the MagicBand – a colorful, waterproof wristband – comes with a number of benefits. The sensor-based wristband is an all-in-one device that allows users to unlock their Disney Resort hotel room, secure an entry into theme and water parks, check in at FastPass+ entrances, purchase food and merchandise – all this as quickly and easily as touching the keypad of your smart phone.

Users can customize their MagicBands by creating a Disney account and linking their Reservation or Annual Pass, and their MagicBand, to their account. The wristband also strengthens Disneyland’s relationship with its customers via personalised interactions – the MagicBand uses the collected/saved data not only to send customers personalized offers based on their choices, preferences, and behaviour but also enables Disney characters to greet visitors by name.

Blog, Quality Assurance/Testing

Quality Assurance: Achieving Quality through Domain Knowledge

March 27, 2015 [x]cube LABS

In the whole Star Wars series, Master Yoda is the most respected character and he is the expert whom everyone approaches for advice. Why? It is because he has mastered the “Force” around him. In other words, he has “Domain Knowledge”.

Though many start-up companies come into existence every year, only few sustain and survive the test of time. So, what is it that makes them stand apart from the rest? The reasons may differ from one company to another. But the common reasons for their survival include understanding of their customers’ needs and knowledge over the domain in which they are operating. And that is the power of having “Domain Knowledge”.

When one applies this concept to Quality Assurance in a project or application, the individual involved in the Quality Process needs to be equipped with Domain Knowledge. A tester who has domain knowledge about the functionality, the component or the module can perform the testing process effectively and also with ease.

Identifying bugs gets easy

Domain Knowledge is not only limited to the type of the application, but also to the environment it is built on, and the technology used for development. Consider an application being built in Java environment using SQL server as backend database. A tester who has some knowledge in Java or SQL may identify the bugs much more effectively – like testing for database related issues or performing white box testing, for example.

To have knowledge about the domain does not effectively mean that the knowledge is gained from the Requirement Documents, Testing Methodologies and Strategies implemented or regular KT sessions. Such knowledge may be helpful in achieving better quality but to deliver a product with the best quality requires the individual to understand the domain in which the application will be used and is being developed.

For example, an individual who has knowledge about the Healthcare domain may understand the requirements of a health application with respect to the terminology, process and health standards with ease and execute testing much more effectively when compared to the individual who has limited domain knowledge in that specific area.

Knowledge is wealth

This stands true in enhancing Quality Assurance as well. Domain Knowledge not only helps in achieving best quality for the application but also helps the individual in terms of career growth. It helps in achieving recognition in the organization, and in increasing the scope of one’s abilities to go beyond testing. He may exploit opportunities in Consulting, Business Analysis, etc., thus becoming a critical resource for the Project and also for the organization.

(About the Author: Bhargava Yellamraju works as Senior QA Engineer at [x]cubeLABS. He as 5 years of experience in Mobile, Web Application and Security Testing and has built significant expertise in various domains like Health Care, Finance, Banking and Procurement.)

Blog, Quality Assurance/Testing

Back To Basics: Why Software Testing and what exactly does it refer to?

March 17, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Questions make us learn things. Every Question deserves a satisfying answer. So, let us pose a few questions more here.

Why is Software Testing necessary?
What is Software Testing?

Why is Software Testing necessary?

When we are testing something we are checking whether it is working well. So, why is testing needed? Testing is necessary because everyone makes mistakes. So we should assume that our work contains mistakes, and must check our own work. While some mistakes are small and can be ignored, some may be expensive.

As consumers of products (home appliances like washing machine, for instance) and services like e-payment systems at shopping malls, we would certainly get annoyed when they don’t work or work with reduced performance. Who would be happy if the washing machine tears our clothes? How do you feel when you’ve to wait for a long time to make payment at a shopping mall?

Sometimes defects like these occur in the software systems. Therefore, Software Testing is necessary to find and rectify defects, and to avoid system failure. Now comes our next question:

What is software testing?

Wikipedia defines ‘Software Testing’ as “an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with the information about the Quality of the product or service under Test”.

Quality: Testing helps us to find the Quality of software in terms of the number of defects that are found in Functional and Nonfunctional attributes. Quality of software can only be assured when the found defects are fixed. Software systems are designed to deliver customer specifications. Quality, in other words, also points to validating the functionality of software to the desired specification and should be assured in following terms of:

Functional requirement
Nonfunctional Requirements (or) User Interface
Security
Compatibility/Integrity

So, What does Software Testing exactly refer to?
Is software testing all about Quality alone? The answer is a resounding ‘No’. Software testing is about Simplicity, Ideas/Approach, Thinking like an end user, Coverage, Documentation, Finding defects, Time management.

Simplicity: Testing is about building simple applications as preferred by users. So testers should recommend ideas to simplify applications in terms of functional and nonfunctional attributes – like simplifying labels, buttons, alerts and appearance – to make them user-friendly.

Ideas/Approach: Testing is about the approach to find defect(s). No two persons can look at a issue in the same way and will have different ways of approaching a problem. Similarly, different applications need to be tested differently. An application operating with a large amount of data (ex: Railway tracking system) should be tested differently from an application which involves a large number of users.(ex: social networks).

Think like an End user: This is one common suggestion that we testers hear everyday. Applications should be designed in such a way that the user navigates the application with ease and convenience. Testers should check whether attributes like buttons, warnings or alerts are user-friendly. Thinking from the user perspective also involves handling negative scenarios which is equally important because we cannot expect every user to have perfect knowledge about the application. Thinking out of the box would help testers to find defects and enhance the quality of applications/software.

Coverage: More coverage ensures better quality of the application. Coverage involves listing of all the possible scenarios, negative conditions, and boundary conditions, prioritizing the test cases, and preparing the RTM (Requirement Traceability Matrix). Prior preparation of these ingredients results in better Testing recipe.

Documentation: Documentation not only guides testers to perform effectively but also helps in tracking test status and enhancing flexibility. Adapting good Coverage, and listing all the test cases, test scenarios, test data and defect logs along with screenshots & videos helps other resources to perform further testing in the absence of initial testing resource. However, different models of testing like V model and Agile model involve different types of documentation styles.

Finding defects: When we encounter a mismatch between the expected result and the actual result, we consider it a defect. Every defect fixed adds to the quality of the application. No defect should be ignored, however minor it is. Defects can be observed significantly while considering negative scenarios or when performing an adhoc testing. These can be raised effectively when the Tester is fully aware of every bit of functionality and requirements of the software.

Time Management: We already know that Quality of software is measured in terms of the number of defects found. But it is equally important to realize that Defects found after the test cycle has negative impact like increasing cost. Testers are prone to tight schedules, which makes us overlook a few defects sometimes. Appropriate Testing in available time should be the objective for every tester. Considering attributes such as Requirement analysis, Scope of testing, Defining test strategy, Estimating Test effort & test team, and Defining test schedule will definitely yield best testing results.

If there is something else which is of utmost importance for software testing, it is ‘Attitude’. No work makes sense when the base approach lacks its objective. Testers need the right attitude to do the right job in the right place.

Collaboration within the team and with other teams would be of great help. Testers should approach findings on the application/software positively, in a fact-focused manner, rather than criticizing the person who made the app. Finally, Testers’ attitude should be about working towards a common goal of “delivering better Quality systems”.

(Subha kanth is a Software QA Trainee at [x]cubeLABS. He graduated in Electronics and communications engineering from SASTRA University. When not chained to work, he loves exploring Software Testing practices and blogging on various aspects of QA.)

Blog

Apple’s Smart Watch: Will it make it in enterprises?

March 11, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Wearables are gaining traction in enterprises. In a report on wearables, Research analyst JP Gownder, noted: “While consumers’ interest in wearables has grown strong, businesses’ demand for wearables is even greater.” Today, 68% of global technology and business decision-makers say that wearables are a priority for their firm, with 51% calling it a moderate, high, or critical priority. This is comparable with the mobile landscape in 2010, when 43% of enterprises identified employees using mobile devices as a critical or high priority.

In recent years, Apple has been working its way to integrate its product line with the enterprise world. At its event on March 9th in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Center, Apple raised the curtain introducing MacBook and the Apple Watch, thus joining Microsoft, Samsung and others in the wearables market.

The new MacBook wears a new look with Apple making it lighter and thinner in addition to extending its list of features. The new MacBook for $1,299, weighs just 2 pounds and is 13.1 mm, embodied in Space Gray, Gold versions and MacBook silver. It is an assortment of various features, especially for the eyes & ears, with its 2304X1440 display, Retina-quality & better stereo speakers. But what is rolling the eyeballs is that there’s only one port on the new MacBook. It’s the new reversible USB-C connector, which will handle the charging, data input and video output.

The just announced Apple Watch looks an incredibly precise timepiece. The design, specifications and features are all geared towards wooing the masses. But can Apple’s recent wearable make it in the enterprise?

Apple has been working towards making its Watch a success within enterprises. Last week, Tim Cook hinted that Apple is working with Salesforce in developing software for the Apple Watch. Apple has also partnered with IBM for enterprises, and in December IBM posted a video which demonstrated building Apple Watch app leveraging its MobileFirst platform. Cook also highlighted the progress on fitness and healthcare apps and how hotels will be using Apple Watch for check-ins and door unlocks.

However, in the absence of any major enterprise-centric feature in the Watch, Apple’s success in enterprises will hugely depend on third-party developer apps and how businesses imagine to use smart watches within their ecosystem. The Internet of Things in the enterprises could introduce a slew of new use cases for Apple Watch in enterprises and boost its adaptability.

We’ll have to wait and see.

Image Source : Apple

https://d6fiz9tmzg8gn.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/24104925/11046972_791448794242293_4066062334287189745_n.jpg

Life at [x]cube

Women’s Day Celebrations at PurpleTalk

March 9, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Gender equality is one of the core values of PurpleTalk and with its women employee-friendly policies, it is certainly something that the organization considers to be of paramount importance. Though we believe in treating women like queens through the year, we don’t let go of any opportunity to make them feel like one. So, like every year, this year’s Women’s Day celebrations held on March 09, 2015, happened to be a grand affair.

The excitement in the air could be felt through the day and the super-charged atmosphere peaked by evening. The celebrations started around 5 p.m. with a cake-cutting ceremony where women took to the centre stage. At PurpleTalk, March 9th happened to be a celebration of womanhood and a dedication to women employees of the organization whose enthusiastic participation made it a phenomenal success.

The highlight of the evening was the ‘Best Dressed Woman’ Contest where around 5 women employees were adjudged the ‘best dressed’ and received cash prize from the CEO. A lot of women employees expressed their happiness and shared their experiences of being a part of an organization where they are given equal opportunities.

Our CEO Bharath Lingam encouraged women employees to make best use of opportunities that help them take up more challenging roles, and expressed his hope to see some of them in leadership roles as well.

Blog, Retail

Mobile Technology and the Future of Retail

March 4, 2015 [x]cube LABS

Innovations in mobile technology are changing the face of retail. With customers shopping from smartphones and tablets, retailers face the special challenge of balancing online and in-store sales while competing with larger online vendors.

Mobile’s Rising Influence

Business owners should be aware of the impact mobile is having on the retail landscape. Developing trends are seen in recent statistics regarding mobile use and consumer behaviors:

In 2012, 21 percent of retailers’ online revenue came from shoppers using smartphones or tablets
Mobile sales jumped 300 percent from 2012 to 2013
63 percent of mobile users rely on their devices to scan or search for the best prices
34 percent of customers use mobile-based coupons at physical retail checkouts

Changing Point-of-Sale Transactions

Not only are customers using their smartphones to find good deals and get discounts, but many of them are also engaging services such as Google Wallet to make payments at retail locations. Retailers must embrace this new technology to avoid losing a large segment of the mobile population to the practice of “showrooming,” where customers find products in stores and wind up buying them online from other retailers. To boost customer retention, companies may consider offering discounts via ship-to-store options for online purchases. This not only keeps customers from going to the competition but also brings them into physical stores where they may make additional purchases.

Anatomy of a Successful App

Linking an app to the in-store experience can help with customer retention and brand loyalty. Forty-two percent of shoppers who use their smartphones to make purchases say that apps increase the connection they feel with the brands that they like. A successful app boosts customer engagement by:

Providing value though information and entertainment
Offering a simple interface that’s easy to navigate
Loading quickly and without glitches
Offering cross-compatibility across devices and operating systems
Streamlining the user experience with a consistent brand image

The speed of mobile shopping means that brands only have a few seconds to catch and keep customer’s attention. The more interesting and engaging an app can be, the better the chance that it will drive sales.

Increasing Retail Visibility

In order for customers to take advantage of special mobile offers, they have to be able to locate a business. Seventy percent of smartphone shoppers say they use a store locator to get to where they want to go, making it vitally important for all businesses to have up-to-date information including physical addresses and phone numbers on top location-based services such as Yelp, Google My Business (formerly Google Places) and Foursquare.

The Influence of Mobile Experiences

Providing a positive shopping experience to mobile users is even more important than ensuring satisfaction in-store. Customers who shop using their smartphones and tablets can instantly share purchases with and post feedback to social sites, and other consumers put a lot of stock in that information. This process of “social retailing,” where customers research products, read reviews and get opinions from their peers before making purchases, makes individual opinions an important part of retail marketing. Poor user experience has been shown to drive away as many as 43 percent of customers, leading to falling sales, a decrease in brand loyalty and a negative impact on a company’s online reputation.

With the expansion of mobile showing no signs of slowing down, it’s up to retailers to offer users the experience and accessibility they’re looking for. Reaching out to the mobile customer is an essential part of modern business marketing, and the retailers that will succeed are those who keep their finger on the pulse of the ever-evolving mobile landscape.

Blog

Internet of Things: Privacy concerns and viable solutions

March 3, 2015 [x]cube LABS

From home automation systems and integrated cameras on smartphones to connected medical devices for individual patients with serious medical condition, Internet of Things is proving to be beneficial to consumers across diverse industries. While software experts and developers believe that their innovative apps are taking the world by storm, consumers around the world are determined to bring their concerns to the fore. Today we’re attempting to look at the benefits of a few connected devices or services used by consumers, understand some of the risks involved, and offer some viable solutions.

Benefits

When we talk about the healthcare industry in particular, we believe that the benefits of Internet of Things cannot be undermined. With the emergence of Remote Patient Monitoring Networks (RPMN) and Medical Body Area Networks (MBAN), concepts like telemedicine and mHealth cease to be a distant reality. Similarly, we do think that it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to securing our homes with home automation tools that can relay data to us when we’re away.

The risks and the possible alternatives

If the issue is looked at from the consumers’ perspective, the companies involved in developing connected devices would note the recurrence of the following notions that device users consider to be risky.

Concern over privacy issues: Building security into connected devices during the development stage is better than putting security measures in place as an afterthought. Another good idea is to train the employees on the importance of security, and various aspects of security.
Unauthorized access of data: When a security risk or threat is identified, make sure you have a comprehensive defence strategy in place.
Misuse of personal information: It’s only natural for consumers to be concerned about the way their information is stored on the net, and used. So, it would be good if companies keep collection of consumers’ personal data to the minimum.
Hacking: Attack on systems that the consumers use is another major area of concern. By thinking of innovative ways to stop consumers’ data or information from being stolen, one can prevent hacking to an extent.
Issue of personal safety: This is certainly another important aspect as a variety of data about the consumer including his/her tastes/habits, time spent on the internet, purchases made, location, etc., is available on the web.
Compromise on sensitivity of data: Consumers are naturally concerned about issues like theft of their identity & credit information. It helps appease them and reduce privacy risks if companies collect less sensitive data or de-identify the data collected.
One size fits all?: Approaching the issue with a “one size doesn’t fit all” perspective rather than the usual one-size-fits-all approach is certainly better at addressing the issue at multiple levels.
Having no say is scary: Offer consumers the choice and let them have a say on ways in which their personal information is going to be used.

Taking the above steps will not only help reduce the risk factor but also address the issue of privacy and information theft, besides helping companies develop products that would help transform the world, and the way one looks at technology by leveraging the Internet of Things.

Ebooks, Wearables

Wearable tech in Healthcare: Steps to Success

January 19, 2015 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Healthcare Information technology is taking rapid strides. Mobile, Big Data and M2M (machine-to-machine) etc., is changing the face of patient care. The latest addition is wearable technology. While other industries are still playing with the idea of using wearable products like Google Glass, Smart Watches and others; the healthcare industry is embracing wearables in a big way. From chronic disease management, clinical diagnosis to routine patient care- wearable technology is being leveraged across the industry to reinvent healthcare delivery models.

As Forrester Analyst J.P. Gownder puts it “Under the Affordable Care Act, there are penalties for hospitals that have bad ‘outcomes,’ so the [wearable health monitors] are becoming very important. Home monitoring is being used to improve outcomes, and there’s much more incentive to improve.”

Our latest eBook “ Wearable Tech in Healthcare Industry” aims to provide a detailed overview on the application of wearable tech in the healthcare industry including

Impact of wearable tech in healthcare.

Factors driving wearable technology.

Benefits to physicians, payers & patients

Applications of wearables in the healthcare industry.

Challenges to address.

Steps to success

Blog, Enterprise Mobility

Let’s Usher in the RENAISSANCE ENTERPRISE

December 23, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

In another 48 hours from now, the church bells will be ringing, bringing in the merry cheer of Christmas and a range of emotions. Right now though, I’m reminded of a quote from a movie that I watched recently – Interstellar

“When I was a kid, it felt like they made something new everyday”, Donald responds. “Some gadget or idea- like everyday was Christmas”.

So true! We’re indeed living in an age of continuous and often disruptive innovation, bringing in surprises every other day . Sometimes the surprises that are nice to customers, may not be so nice to enterprises.

The origin of these surprises, throws us back to this amazing confluence of trends that we’re seeing in the marketplace today of new initiatives like design, mobile, cloud, analytics, social, internet of things etc coming together to create an environment that is bigger than the sum of its parts.

The coming together of these trends has given rise to a new set of products that offer an experience 10 times better than the ones already out there in the marketplace.Products like Uber, instagram, square etc.

As consumers get used to using these products and services, their expectations are getting completely re-shaped and they’re looking for the same high quality experience from traditional enterprises whether they be in banking, retail, insurance or automobile.

This is creating a huge imbalance in the marketplace, as traditional enterprises, unable to experience the gestalt of the new consumer are coming up with digital strategies that are piece meal like a mobile app here and there, and a social website but something that’s not wholistic.

We’re living in interesting times today where businesses are racing from zero to 10 billion dollars in 5 years flat , and companies that have weathered over a hundred years are being reduced to nothing in the same time. Think Uber. Think Super cell.

If enterprises need to survive and thrive in the new age, the fundamental assumptions underlying their worldview need to change and the products, services and processes need to be re-imagined ground up.This is what we call the Renaissance Enterprise.
An excellent example of a Renaissance enterprise would be some of the fast growing technology companies like Google, Linkedin, Netflix etc.

The nature of the Renaissance enterprise is very different from the traditional one. Below Infographics explains that

The Renaissance enterprise is one that has a long term strategic advantage that is derived from continuous engagement with users, generating rich engagement data, identifying opportunities for improvement and delivering them in real time.

A classic example is that of the contrast between Google and Bing. What differentiates Google from Bing today in the market is not that Bing is not able to attract high quality engineers and build a feature rich product. The challenge is that more people use Google in more unique contexts thereby, creating a perpetually rich trove of insights for Google, that allow them to continuously improve its product , make the experience context and user specific, and thereby deliver a long term sustainable advantage that money just can’t buy.

How can you be a Renaissance Enterprise, succeed in the new world, and give unto your startup or enterprise, the long term sustainable advantage that just keeps getting better?

Watch out for our forthcoming book “ The Renaissance Enterprise” for that and in the meantime, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you. Enjoy the holidays!!!

Blog, Healthcare

Calculating ROI to measure the impact of a patient engagement mobile app

December 17, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Every business runs on the most important concept of finance that is abbreviated as ROI. When the business entity is investing its assets like cash into an avenue ,business /stakeholders expect some revenue out of that investment.This is obvious for any industry, but is it the same for healthcare industry?

In the present healthcare market driven by rules, regulations and reforms and running on fee- for – value concept, it is not just the government or payers that are interested in improved quality but also patients that are paying more detailed attention to the quality of care they are receiving. We need to keep assuring patients that they are in safe hands by continuously exchanging information.

How is mobile aiding in patient engagement? How do we measure the impacts in numbers- how do we monetize it? When a health system offers mobile patient engagement tools to its patient community, how to measure the return on the investment of launching and maintaining the app?

Role of Mobile in engaging the patients:

Mobile technology is fast penetrating the healthcare industry. Mobile has become ubiquitous. When a mobile application aims at either informing, attracting, retaining a patient then the application is engaging with the patients.

Use of mobile application in empowering the patient and thus helping in reducing the readmissions

Of the many uncontrollable & controllable reasons for patient readmission one of the controllable reasons is lack of patient info /knowledge.

(National statistics suggest that at discharge only 42% of patients are able to state their diagnosis and only 37% are able to state the purpose of their medications.)

Lack of the knowledge of the conditions they are admitted for in a facility would lead to improper and inefficient self-management of the condition . They need to have knowledge of the conditions as to what it means, what are the changes from the actual that is happening to them leading to their admission, what is the impact of it on their daily life and what should be done to get better fast?

Mobile application that reminds a patient to take medication, that informs patient of the Do’s and Don’ts of managing the conditions , that can enable the patients to know what their condition in terms of the etiology , pathophysiology of it , if not in the complicated medical terminology at least in a common man terminology, helps patients understand the condition better and can prevent the recurrence and hence decrease readmissions.This empowerment of the patients would enable active and collaborative participation of the patient is managing the conditions and help busy providers to efficiently support them in overcoming the anxieties and apprehensions.

Monetizing the impact

Building a Case :

The Facts :

The CMS Readmissions Reduction Program penalizes the providers/facilities for readmission depending on the rate of readmission and time periods between the readmissions.

Assumptions:

Consider a small to medium sized facility with around 500 beds with current readmission rate of 25%.

Let us consider that there are around 2000 patients that come under Medicare of which 25% i.e 500 patients use smart phones.

So at current rate, the number of readmissions= (25% of 2000) is 500.

Consider that with interventions using mobile application we could bring the rate of readmissions to 20 % from 25%. But not all the 2000 use the smartphone.

Penalty per readmission : US$ 10000

Penalty multiplier : 5

Where do we stand by bringing readmission rate from 25% to 20 %

Number of patients under consideration	2000
% using smartphone (25%)	500
Readmissions withouts smartphone interventions	500 (25% of 2000)
Readmission rate with smartphone intervention	number of smartphone users 20% + non smartphone users25% = 500* 20% + 1500 *25% = 475
Number of readmissions decreased because of intervention	25
Amount saved	25* 10,000 *5 = US$ 1,250,000

Revenue = US$ 1,250,000

Role of mobile applications in improving Patient experience and attaining patient loyalty :

Even before the patient is admitted into the facility mobile can engage them through mobile by enabling the patient to differentially arrive at a condition that they might the suffering from ( informing them of the condition ) and empower them with information about the condition and help them manage it from home preventing further deterioration of the situation.

Mobile can help find the facility and provider that best suits their possible condition and book an appointment with them, track their progress !

Pre, during and post treatment communication with the provider is a major factor for patient experience and mobile can offer patients with reducing the time and effort needed to arrive at a facility and lead to loyal patients. A patient who is attended to at the right time by the right person and who is aware that he is under the umbrella of the provider is a satisfied patient.

Further more there are mobile application that helps the patient track their progress and that enable them to communicate with the providers at regular intervals . These help in retaining the patients and all these contribute to improved patient satisfaction and hence increased ratings during the patient surveys and result in loyal customer or in this case loyal patients.

Monetizing the impact

Facts

CMS began collecting quality and patient experience data from acute care hospitals on a voluntary basis under the Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting (IQR) Program. Hospitals that participated in the IQR program were eligible for a full annual percentage increase in medicare reimbursements.

CMS will establish one overall VBP score for each hospital based on data collected through the IQR program. 12 Process of Care measures account for 70% of the score and 8 Patient Experience measures account for 30% of the score.”Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems” and it is a nationally-standardized survey that is sent to patients following a healthcare encounter which would depend on the patient experience , corresponding patient loyalty and the directly /indirectly contributes to attracting the patients.

Case 1: Retaining the patients through mobile

Assumptions

A medium sized facility with the following :

Number of patients undergoing procedure : 40,000

Revenue from them : US$ 10,000,000

Net profit margin is say 3% : US $ 300,000

Contribution per procedure US$ 5000

If the facilities attrition in existing patients is 15% , the facility is losing a revenue of 5000 * 15% of 40,000= 5000*6000 = US$ 30,000,000.

Now if the facility can intervene (through mobile) in 10% of these 6000 patients, the revenue generated would be US$ 300,000 ( 5000*600) which is equal to the net profit margin of the facility.

Revenue in this case = US$ 300,000

Case 2 : Attracting the patients using mobile application

Consider a facility in a population area of 1 million of which the target population for a facility is 30% i.e 300,000

Let us consider that 1 in 10 people of this population use smartphones

(meaning of the target population smartphones have a potential to impact say 30,000 )

Using smartphones facility could attract 50 % of the smartphone users : 1500

and with these 1,500 patients, the facility was successful in generating a revenue of US$ 2000 per person without incurring additional costs.

Therefore, total revenue for 1,500 would be 3,000,000 (1500 *2000)

Revenue : US$ 3,000,000

Calculating the ROI

Costs: Cost of developing, maintaining and deploying a mobile patient engagement application may range from US$ 200,000 to US$ 600,000

ROI = (Gain from investment – Cost of investment) / Cost of Investment.

Calculating gain from investments : 1250000 + 300000 + 3,000,000 = 4550000

Cost of investment : 600000

ROI= (4550000 – 600000/600000 ) * 100 = 658%

Bottom Line :

In any industry, a business entity would finally look at numbers in terms of ROI. The healthcare industry is no different. An investment avenue such as mobile applications that reach out to patients seems to be an area that has a great potential for huge returns. But, as with other investment avenue mobile technology also carries its risks in terms of privacy and security of information and the penalties associated with breaching the associated rules and regulations. So any investment in healthcare industry should balance ROI with patient-centric quality care delivery.

Announcements

[x]cube LABS wins Gold at MARCOM design awards

November 5, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

[x]cube LABS has been honored with the prestigious MarCom Gold Award 2014 for its designed mobile app GES: Expresso. MarCom Awards is a global competition inviting entries from individuals and businesses involved in creative fields like writing, design of print, visual, audio and web etc. The award is administered and judged by Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals (AMCP), an international body consisting of marketing, advertising, PR and media professionals. Over the years, the competition has grown to largest of its kind with over 6000 entries for various categories from across 34 countries.

The award once again re-establishes [x]cube’s complete authority on developing mobile apps in sync with world-class design and UX/UI standards. In the past, we have been recognized with several notable awards including Graphic Design USA, W3 Awards, 2014 HERMES CREATIVE and Davey Awards etc.

Blog, Gamification, Healthcare

5 applications of gamification in healthcare

October 22, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

The application of game mechanics and techniques in business is rising. According to research firm Gartner,

By 2015, 50% percent of enterprises will be using gamification of some kind.
And in 2016, businesses will spend around $2.6 billion on gamification.

The healthcare industry is also enthusiastically embracing gamification to boost patient care and treatment outcomes. Mobile games is being used not only to bring behavioral improvements in patients but also to train staff in better care. According to consulting firm ICF International, three trends are driving gamification in healthcare: the shift to value-based care, the growing role of the patient as consumer, and the mobile armed millennial generation.

So, how are healthcare providers using gamification to their advantage?
A blog post by [x]cube GAMES titled “5 MOBILE GAME CATEGORIES FOR THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY” lists outs popular categories of gamification in healthcare like-

1) Cognitive and Emotional Health

2) Participatory Health

3) Active Gaming and Fitness (Motion Gaming)

4) Rehabilitation Games

5) Medical Training

Gamification has travelled a lot from being driven by novelty and hype to serious applications and obvious benefits to the enterprises. And, with more developments in gaming and enabling technologies, gamification in healthcare will get a much broader adoption in future.

Image Source: BusinessInsider

Announcements

WEBINAR: Mobility in Oil & Gas- Applying mobile solutions to complex industry challenges

September 25, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Mobile is a natural choice for an industry wherein mobile workforce and geographically dispersed work locations are the norm. Our interactions with several C-level executives reveals that boosting workforce productivity, real-time reporting, workforce collaboration, inventory management and risk analysis etc., are some of the key challenges faced by the industry. Mobile can not only be an answer to these challenges, but can also be a catalyst to spur growth and profitability in the industry.

What You Will Learn?

Driving Maximum Value

Identify processes and opportunities to drive maximum value from your investments.

Solutions to Success

Understand various mobile solutions that can help you address your key challenges.

Getting It Right

Learn how to use mobile as a strategy and some best practices on its implementation.

Join the Webinar

October 15th, 2014 : 12.00 PM – 1.00 PM CDT

Blog, Platform

Apple unveils new iPhone 6, iPhone 6 plus, Apple watch and Apple Pay

September 10, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

On expected lines, Cupertino giant Apple introduced two versions of its new iPhone- the iPhone 6 and the iPhone 6 plus. The company also introduced Apple Watch and the much speculated mobile payment system in ‘Apple Pay’.

The new iPhones

Thinner than the existing iPhone 5S, the new phones are 6.9 mm (iPhone 6) and 7.1 mm (iPhone 6 plus) thick and come with anodized aluminium backs. The phones get bigger displays with screen sizes of 4.7 inches and 5.5 inches for 6 and 6 plus models and have a much sharper viewing with 401 px per inch.

The latest iPhone models promises to be faster and have a longer battery life than Apple’s earlier versions with standby time of 250 hours and talk time of 14 hours. Built on 64-bit architecture with a new A8 chip, the phone promises to deliver more power even with a bigger display.

The camera resolution stays at 8 MP, however, Apple assures for better photography with new sensors, Focus Pixel and a burst mode to take multiple selfies. The slow motion video has been boosted with shooting capabilities of 240 fps.

With faster LTE, up to 150 Mbps, and more LTE bands, up to 6, in iPhones, users can experience faster download and upload speeds for browsing the web, streaming music and making video calls etc..

The phones will also features a new sensor to help you count the number of stairs they climbed in addition to distance walked or run. Another new, is the ‘Apple Pay’, that brings the much speculated mobile payment system into the iPhones.

The new phones will be available in 16GB, 64 GB and 128 GB models and are priced in range of $199 to $499.

Apple Watch

In the words of Tim Cook Apple Watch is ‘the next chapter in Apple’s history. Apple’s latest wearable device, is designed like a traditional watch and sports a beautifully carved square display. Available in three versions of sport, standard, and a luxury edition; the smartwatch uses multiple technologies in conjunction with your iPhone to keep time within 50 milliseconds of the GST. The watch can adjust to the local time depending upon location.

Promising to also be a fitness companion, the Apple Watch measures quantity, quality and frequency of your movements and shows your progress in the three rings of the Activity app. The device also features a separate Workout app for dedicated cardio sessions.

The Apple Watch will receive calls, messages and mails, play music and serve as your digital wallet via special sensors. The watch will tap you gently every time you receive a notification. You can also send your heartbeat to someone special by simply pressing two fingers to the screen.

Apple Watch is priced at $349 and will be available only in early 2015.

Announcements

[x]cube looking for fresh, energetic talent to join its mobile specialists team

July 14, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

[x]cube LABS is a leading digital solutions provider with core competency in mobile technology space.Our overriding passion to innovate & influence, complemented with our extensive experience and authority in mobile has enabled us to build mission-critical digital solutions, creating value worth $1.5 billion for several Fortune 100 businesses, big brands and startups.

At [x]cube, we have a high energy, extremely talented team and are always looking for talented individuals to join us.

Currently we have openings for Trainee Software Engineer / Associate Software Engineer.

Job Role: Trainee Software Engineer / Associate Software Engineer.

Date: July 26th & 27th, 2014

Time: 10AM to 3PM

Venue:
PurpleTalk
Water Mark, 12th Floor,

Opp to Tech Mahindra,

Near CII building, Kondapur, Hyderabad

Required Qualifications

Strong communication skills (oral & written).

B.Tech / M.Tech / MCA / Others.

Batch: 2012 to 2014 passouts only.

Marks: 60% and above

Minimum skill requirements

Strong proficiency on C, C++ or Java.

Concepts of software development and testing life cycle.

Good to have (but not mandatory) skills

Microsoft .NET, PHP, Java Script, HTML, MySQL.

Mobile platforms like iOS, Android, Blackberry etc.

Programming knowledge in Objective C, Android Java, etc.

Experience in mobile application development is an added advantage.

Interested candidates are requested to register by submitting their details here.

Candidates can directly walk-in with copies of their resume, photographs and education certificates.

Blog, Platform

Key TakeAways from WWDC 2014

June 4, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Apple’s WWDC 2014 was the much awaited conference for developers worldwide. With expectations of the iPhone 6 and Healthbook, everyone was buzzing about what the WWDC could bring to the developer community.

However, this year, WWDC was all about software. No new hardware was announced as expected but a whole host of features was introduced. The iOS 8 SDK has more than 4000 new developer APIs and Changes. Tim Cook calls this the “the biggest release since the launch of the App Store”.

Here are some of the key takeaways from the conference:

Health: The Health app is a single dashboard which aggregated information from other health and fitness app. It includes sections for Diagnostics, Fitness, lab results, Vital and much more. It is supported by the HealthKit tool, which developers can integrate into old and new apps which will then share the information to the Health App.

HomeKit: Apple has ventured into home automation with HomeKit. The tool can be paired with other apps & devices and work with Siri to control home automation apps & devices.

Swift Programming Language: Swift, is the new programming language for iOS and OS X apps. The new language provides access to all Cocoa and Cocoa Touch features of Objective-C. It also uses the same LLVM compiler and runtime as Apple’s Objective-C implementation, so Swift and Objective-C code can live side-by-side in the same application. The language guide is available on iBooks and can be download here : https://developer.apple.com/swift/

Interactive Notifications: Users can now respond to messages or other notifications without leaving the current app. Interactive notifications allows users to pull down the notifications and complete actions without leaving the current open app or can complete them from the lock screen.

Keyboard: QuickType is a new feature in the keyboard that provides predictive typing. This feature can guess the next word and provide suggestions based on whom the user is talking to. Apple also has introduced third party keyboard supports so users can now use apps like Swype.

Messages: iMessages will now include Video and Audio messages. Along with this, users can also name conversation threads, add or remove people from conversation thread and put a Do-Not-Disturb notification on messages.

Family Sharing: Families with a maximum of 6 people using Apple accounts registered with the same credit card can share apps and download books. This feature implements stronger parental control and security. Parents will get an alert when their kids are buying items from the app store. Remote blocking of app purchases is also possible.

Other features updates includes Touch ID access to developers. They can now access the Touch ID which can be used by third party apps for security. Siri got major updates which includes 22 new dictation languages, purchase content from iTunes via voice commands,and voice activation with just “Hey, Siri”

To try out all new features, Developers will have to wait. iOS8 will be available this fall to developers.

Ebooks, Enterprise Mobility

Enterprise Mobility Guide: How to plan, implement and manage mobility in an enterprise environment?

May 21, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Enterprise mobility—the use of mobile devices and apps in enterprises—has gained massive momentum in the last of couple of years. After plucking the low lying fruits of mobile computing, like email and messenger service access on smartphones and tablets, enterprises have now moved on to connect people, products and processes with mobile technology, leading to a radical transformation. However, enterprise mobility is not just arming your employees with mobile devices or building a few apps for your customers. It’s more than that. Just like the IT revolution, mobile technology, too, has the potential to play a disruptive role in an enterprise helping it address significant challenges to get one-up the competition. In other words, enterprise mobility, if properly leveraged, can be a game-changer, as many early adopters have realized.

However, many organizations still struggle to implement mobility programs and see a real gain from their mobile investments. Very few know how and where to begin.

BYOD and enterprise mobility markets will grow at 15% CAGR, reaching $181 billion by 2017. – MarketsandMarkets, 2014 Share on X

Banking, Blog

10 interesting stats on mobile banking popularity, benefits and pain-points

May 9, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Smartphone, Tablets and apps have changed the way people bank. For the banks, mobile banking brings a range of benefits; right from reducing costs, achieving greater customer satisfaction to bringing more customers into their fold. However, there are still issues facing banking organizations. This stats sheet provides you 10 interesting insights on the popularity of mobile banking, its potential in bringing more business to banks and highlights major pain-points for the banks to address.

1. Mobile banking is gaining significant traction.
U.S. adults bank using their mobile phones. Source : PewResearch

2. Banking on Tablets too.
Of the top 25 financial institutions offer an Apple iPad app. Source : Javelin Strategy & Research

3. Mobile is the new branch.
Mobile bankers say that digital banking is sufficient for their needs, replacing the branch. Source : Javelin Strategy & Research

4. Mobile attracts customers.
Customers think mobile banking services were either ‘Important’ or ‘Extremely important’ in their decision to switch bank accounts. Source : AlixPartners

5. Mobile means less costs.
The average cost of a mobile transaction whereas average cost of an ATM transaction is $1.25. Source : Javelin Strategy

6. mBanking brings more business.
Of all the deposits that consumers make at BofA are now done through mobile devices. Source : BofA

7. Mobile means more customer convenience.
Of the top 25 U.S. retail banks and credit unions as per deposit size offered mobile check deposits in 2013. Source : Javelin Strategy

8. User-friendliness is an issue.
Customers don’t use an app due to app being too confusing or not having enough features. Source : CFI group

9. Customers need trust.
Customers are not comfortable with the security mechanism in their app. Source : CFI group

10. Mobile apps need to be secured.
Mobile banking apps from top banks have serious security vulnerabilities. Source : IOActive Labs Research

Announcements

[x]cube LABS is Official Media Partner for Lean Startup Machine

May 6, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

The Lean Startup Machine is no longer just a buzz word but a movement that is paving the path for businesses all over the world to be disruptive. This educational experience is an opportunity for all business owners to understand and implement the lean startup methodologies better.

Lean Startup Machine is coming to Dallas on June 6th to 8th. During the 3-day workshop, with an immersive learning experience, you can also meet up with LSM mentors Grace NG, Creator of Lean and Trevor Owens, CEO of Javelin.com and author of The Lean Enterprise along with Michael Sitaezewski, Michael Ivey and Anthone Campbell. For more information about the event, click here – http://l3an.com/1auwpSs

As a follower of the lean methodology, [x]cube LABS is proud to be associated with the LSM event as the official media partner. If you are attending the event, we look forward to meet you all. You can also reach us @xcubelabs.

Announcements

Webinar: Gamify your technology

April 16, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Games are not just for kids anymore. Companies across industries are using the principles and mechanics of games to boost innovation, drive customer engagement and take their brands to the massess.

By 2014, over 70% of Global 2000 organizations will have at least one “gamified” app, according to research firm Gartner, Inc.

And customers simply love it

As per a JW Intelligence survey among American and British adults, 63% agree that making everyday activities more like a game would make them more fun and rewarding.

However, gamifying an app is more than borrowing points and badges from games and using it to motivate your customers to engage with brands.

By 2014, 80% of currently gamified apps will fail to meet business objectives mainly due to poor design.

Balancing various game design elements is the secret to driving user engagement and helping you get more from your efforts. When you know the rules of the game, the tricks of the trade and the gamification best practices, you would be able to gamify your technology to your advantage and user’s delight.

Blog, Marketing

Brand marketing via apps: 3 ways to engage customers with your app

April 7, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Mobile apps are different than other customer channels. The rules of engagement with mobile apps is also very different. Why? Mobile is a direct and personal communication channel of which users are very protective. And that’s why brands have to earn their places in their user’s mobile screen. And this is no mean feat considering most of brands already have or are building mobile apps to market their products and services. The other challenge comes from entertainment and utility apps which take most of the user’s interest and screen space. So how can brand increase the chances of their apps attracting consumer’s interest? The answer lies in providing value to the customers.

The most common use of mobile apps for brands was to communicate with customers (83%). Source: Adobe Survey
Customer service or support (79%), product information(74%), transactions (69%) and brand engagement (67%). Source: Adobe Survey

So how can a brand create value in their apps for customers? Here are 3 ways brands can engage customers better through their apps, earn their loyalty and achieve their business objectives:

1. Entertain: Engage via entertainment. People love to get entertained and it’s easy for brands to send their message across using emotions. So your app must have entertainment features. It can be in the form a good story with your brand message embed in to it or a game that allows your users to earn points, badges and status etc. Anything which will make your user to come back to your app and has the potential to take a pie of his mobile time regularly will do.
2. Inform: Your app must able to inform the users about your various products and services. So pack your app with all the key information for the users to visit it at the time of need. For example, a retailer’s app must provide catalog of its products, its availability, pricing information and maps etc., for the customers to guide into its stores. Moreover, the app should also be able to communicate information on latest deals and offers for the customers.
3. Action: Your mobile branded app must also enable action by users when needed. So, if you are an automobile manufacturer then your app must allow users to book test rides, download product brochures or book an appointment with your sales team. Banking apps must allow users to check-in to their accounts and make transactions.

To create value to customers, brands must mix and match the above three elements. In addition, putting customer at the heart of your mobile marketing strategy is crucial. A study by webappy highlights that usability and user experience are critical to mobile users. Designing an app that is user-friendly, rich in experience and provides value will ensure success to your mobile marketing.A proper mix depending on your offerings, messaging and business objectives will not only help you earn loyal users but also get you better ROI from your mobile initiatives.

Blog, Healthcare

mHealth: How mobile medical apps are transforming healthcare?

March 28, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Healthcare industry has been one of the early and enthusiastic adopters of mobile technology. From fitness app, that aid people in their work-outs and help them get into perfect shape, to remote monitoring solutions that aid physicians in monitoring their patients from anywhere and everywhere, mobile devices and apps have permeated across the healthcare system. Let’s look at a few numbers gathered from various studies done of mHealth trends-

The global mHealth market size estimated at $6.6 billion in 2013 is expected to reach $20.7 billion by 2018 registering a CAGR of 25.5%.
In the U.S., clinical mobility is expected to grow to $5.4 billion in 2016, at a CAGR of 12.7%.
The market for mobile health sensors is expected to grow at a CAGR of 69% in the next five years to $5.6 billion.
30% of total smartphone users will have used mobile medical apps by 2015.

Factors driving mobile medical app usage

The soaring use of mHealth solutions can be attributed to two broad factors- challenges facing the industry and huge advancements in mobile technology. Healthcare providers are facing myriad challenges like the shift to accountable care models, changing economics of markets, shrinking pool of talent and rising healthcare costs. Mobile technology, on the other hand, has made huge advancements in the recent years. The cost of devices has dropped significantly. Smartphones and Tablets have become superior in functionality and power and costs of building an app has reduced. Bandwidth has expanded and become faster to support mobility. Moreover, enabling technologies like M2M, sensors and wearable devices etc., has improved the scope and impact of mobility in healthcare. And, most importantly, there is a growing interest among patients and physicians to use mobile medical devices and apps as they offer comfort and convenience, in the time of need.

“Now I can sit with a patient, have an eye-to-eye conversation, and show them their CAT scan or a video about treatment options. I can use Synthesis Mobile (an app that taps into hundreds of internal systems) to notify staff to change an IV setting, or do order entry and charge capture right from the application. I’m more efficient and faster, and I’m doing less work between patients,” says Dr. Brad Leibovich, Mayo Clinic. (Source:Apple)

mHealth apps across the ecosystem…

According to Business Insider, there are around 100,000 apps related to healthcare and fitness in various app stores. Many studies suggest that more and more healthcare providers are building mhealth applications for both their internal and external usage. So today we have apps for medication administration that enables timely and accurate medication to patients; hospital asset management solutions that allow hospital staff to locate health equipment and physician rounding mobile apps that helps physicians see more patients in less time. Moreover, there are apps specially meant for patients that enables them to reach their doctors at the time of need from their home, capture and record their vitals and send it to their hospitals and monitor diabetes and cholesterol levels.

“For patients dealing with any health issue, information is power,” Leibovich notes. “The more we can empower them to understand what’s going on with them, the better they’ll feel and the better their outcomes will be.” (Source:Apple)

mHealth in future…

Healthcare providers are still picking the low lying fruits of mobile healthcare technology. The current trends in the market give enough reasons to be excited about the future of mHealth. There has been a big push to M2M and wearable devices in the sector. In the recently concluded, there was a lat of talk on healthcare wearable devices with several manufacturers showcasing their visions and innovations. Experiments with Google Glass in healthcare has already begun with some physicians using the Glass while performing surgeries. Moreover, more and more healthcare organizations are embracing smartphones and Tablets. Furthermore, healthcare providers, as they are realizing the benefits of mobile in healthcare, are moving towards drawing a comprehensive mobile strategy which will further increase the role of mobile. And, the biggest push will come from patients and physicians. A Digitas Health survey reveals that a staggering 90% of chronic patients in the US willing to accept a mobile app prescription from their physician, mobile medical apps are surely on the upside swing.

“The future is going to be amazing technology-wise,” says Mark Henderson, Division Chair, Information Technology, Mayo Clinic. “Mayo Clinic is just touching the surface of what’s possible. In terms of trying to be more efficient and providing the best care, the apps we’ve written have definitely given us a vision of where we can go in the future.” (Source:Apple)

Image courtesy of stockimages / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blog, Logistics

Mobility in Logistics: 5 mobile solutions that are revolutionizing the industry

March 21, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

The logistics industry thrives on mobility. Everyday, the industry witnesses a mammoth movement of people and packages- in air, sea and surface- from one location to another. For an industry on constant move, mobile devices and apps comes across as a natural choice and has the potential to play an impactful role in ensuring accurate data capture, consistent and real-time information flow and tighter collaboration. This article highlights the benefits of mobile adoption in the logistics industry, have a look at popular mobile solutions in play and understand the overall impact of mobility in logistics.

How iPhone and an app revolutionized D.W.Morgan’s business?

“We always gave customers the information,” says Grant Opperman, President, D.W.Morgan. “But it took a lot of phone calls and a lot of individual effort. And between the time the driver took the signature and the time it was uploaded, there could be a 24-hour delay.”
CEO David Morgan adds “For years, we’d been looking for a mobile device that would allow us to update shipment information, collect signatures, and get GPS tracking on every individual box we deliver. “Ten years ago, it was available, but it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.” And that was for a non-customizable solution.
Then came iPhone, and an application they created that revolutionized D.W. Morgan’s business.

Source- Apple

Mobile Adoption Benefits for the Logistics Industry

Real-time information is valuable.

D.W. Morgan’s 30 drivers carry iPhone loaded with a custom app ‘ChainLinq Mobile’. As they deliver shipments, the drivers record pickups and status updates using the app. On reaching their destination, they collect recipient’s signature on the iPhone. At every point, all status data—including date stamp and a time-stamped GPS locations is uploaded real-time for the customers to view it on the company’s website.
“We move critical inventory for some of the most high-value, complex supply chains in the world,” President Grant Opperman says. “For our customers, the information is as important—or sometimes even more important—than the actual goods inside the boxes.”

Source- Apple

Real-time Inventory Status: Mobile can help companies get precise, real-time overview of the return goods inventory helping them save a lot of money, time and manpower. This means optimum utilization of inventory space and lesser time consumption in manual counting of returned goods.
Better decision making: Mobile helps capture and process critical data at the source and its dissemination in real-time thereby helping employees take informed decisions on-the-go. The management has better overview of the business performance and operations aiding tighter control over issues.
Optimum resource management: With real-time information flow, logistic service providers can better manage resource availability usage, accurately monitor employee’s timesheet, update worker job lists, shipment schedules and vehicle routes to accommodate changing scenarios.
Boost employee efficiency: Providing employees with mobile devices, maintaining real-time information flow and giving them constant access to data, can boost employee productivity, reduce manual efforts and help them better manage time.
Location based services: Mobile enables technologies like GPS helps companies accurately track their vehicles and shipments. This information then can be channelled across the ecosystem to help various stakeholders get real-time updates and act to evolving situations.
Improve customer services: The customer expectations are soaring. Today’s customer want precise, on-time delivery with the facility to track his shipment. Mobile apps for customers can help them track their shipments on the go from their device. Moreover, it will also ensure that the customer is available to receive the delivery when his shipment reaches reducing return goods or shipment counts.

Mobile Solutions for Logistics

1. Mobile Warehouse Management Solutions: Know your warehouse in and out.

A mobile warehouse management solution will provide complete visibility of your warehouse, identify consignments, package and ship items in a streamlined manner with optimized resource utilization. Supporting scanners ,RFIDs and printers, the app will help you-

Get greater visibility of the warehouse by providing overview of the entire space on your screen.
Conduct batch pick, slot, verify and cycle count effortlessly and accurately.
Prevent errors/inaccuracies in shipment identification and loading by aiding data capturing through scanning or by reading RFID labels.
Helping packaging by allowing your workers to print labels on-the-spot and label consignments.

2. Door Delivery Mobile Solutions: Speed-up your door delivery services.

Mobile apps can play a big role in your doorstep pickup and delivery services. A custom app on your worker’s device will help him scan the item at the customer’s doorstep, create a label, input delivery details and movement time and create invoice- all at his doorstep. A door delivery mobile solution can help you-

Reduce time to delivery as the shipment can now be directly transferred to the export facility.
Reduction in warehouse space use.
Boost your customer-services.

3. Mobile Asset Tracking Solutions: Know the position of each and every shipment.

Delivering the product on time and in perfect condition is the key to success in your business. A mobile asset tracking solution will help you accurately track your shipments with pin-point precision using advanced geo-positioning and identification technology. A comprehensive and accurate visibility of the entire operations will help you-

Streamline your processes, cut costs and meet service level agreements.
Keep deliveries on schedule and if required act as per the changing scenarios.
Optimally utilize your resources as per needs.

4. Mobile Fleet Management Solutions: Get the most from your fleets.

Reduce operational costs and improve resource management by capturing data on your fleets and drivers. A mobile fleet management solution will provide you with details on vehicles and assets within the vehicles, delivery schedules of each vehicle, route planning, deviations, individual driver’s log times and behavior. The solution will help you-

Manage your fleets better.
Improve driver’s efficiency.
Better manage fuel and fleet costs.
Keep track of your delivery schedules.
Identify and retain good drivers.

5. Customer Servicing Solutions: Meet the needs of the modern-day customer.

Mobile apps can also used to improve customer services and increase their satisfaction. A custom mobile app for customer servicing will facilitate mobile bookings, shipment tracking and complaint reporting from your customers. A customer service app will help you-

Get online booking for door delivery services.
Enables customers to track movement of shipments.
Get customer feedback on services and address complaints.
Improve customer satisfaction and boost loyalty.

“Supply chain managers are often away from their desks and benefit from mobile solutions, which enable them to track time sensitive shipments and adapt their planning, where necessary. In an age of real time information availability, finger-tip convenience is a must for all supply chain professionals”.

-Michael Young, Global Head of Marketing and Sales, DHL Global Forwarding

Getting mobile right
That mobility can be a critical tool for logistics providers is an undeniable truth. However, experiences from the industry suggests that companies are struggling to realize the true benefits of their mobile initiatives. Most of the mobile initiatives are silos based on piecemeal approach delivering limited benefits to a company. What an enterprise really needs is to adopt a mobile culture and put it at the heart of their ecosystem integrating people, processes and packages. Successful implementation of mobility in your organization would need a comprehensive, end-to-end strategy catering to your workflows, business needs and customer expectations. Building a secure, scalable and reliable mobility infrastructure would not only help logistics companies reduce costs, better manage resources and boost efficiency. But also get shipments on-time and in the perfect condition, earning the trust of customers.

Blog, Enterprise Mobility

3 key factors to your enterprise mobility success

March 12, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

In the last few years, use of mobile devices and apps in enterprises has rapidly grown. And today, in most organizations, mobile is omnipresent- in every department, process and function. While enterprises are realizing benefits from their mobile investments in terms of boosting their revenues, cutting costs, improving employee efficiency and customer engagement, there are still challenges ahead. Many enterprises are struggling to increase mobile adoption, bettering ROI from their investments and making the most from their mobile initiatives. Here are the 3 key factors to ensure bigger success for your enterprise mobility project :

1. Mobile CoE: You would not need a mobile center of excellence when you are planning your first mobile project. But as you get ready for a wider corporate roll-out encompassing hundreds of devices, multiple apps and mobility management software, a CoE becomes a must. Why? Mobility projects in the initial phases are siloed, i.e. restricted to a single department or few processes. The mobile implementation and usage is confined to a few people with little or no collaboration or knowledge transfer to others. However, as your mobile initiatives begin to spread out, you would need greater involvement and collaboration from people from diverse backgrounds. And an overall mobile strategy to spell out mobile policy and governance issues. The CoE will be the fulcrum around which your entire enterprise mobility project will revolve.
2. Apps for humans: Many companies struggle to understand that enterprise apps should be different than your desktop software. A mobile version of your enterprise software will not make the cut. User experience and practicality matters far more in the new mobile world. Your employees are used to simple, fast and responsive apps from their personal lives and therefore expect the enterprise apps to provide similar experience. Secondly, your enterprise apps must be practical; that helps your employees work faster and easier than before. To build valuable apps for employees, you would need to comprehensively understand their needs, existing pain-points and how an app could solve their problems.
3. Employee education: Whether you follow a BYOD or a corporate-owned device policy, employee education on mobile policy and best practices are a must. This will not only help your employees (people have varied mobile maturities) understand the true power of your enterprise mobility asset but will also help him make the best use of it. Moreover, with security being a key concern, it helps to layout the mobile usage policy and educate your employees in best practices to ensure security of your data and information. Share success stories, appoint ambassadors who can help you popularize mobility benefits across your organization.

It takes time to boost mobile adoption and build a mobile culture in your organization. But once done, you are ready to reap the benefits.

Image courtesy of KROMKRATHOG / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blog, Media

Mobile Broadcasting: How Apps are helping news channels be first, fast & factual?

March 4, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

You may be reading this post on your smartphone or a Tablet, after someone shared it with you on Twitter or Facebook. You may be travelling, waiting for a client or just taking a break in office. Mobile devices and apps has not only changed the way news is consumed these days but has also significantly altered the way it is produced and distributed. In an industry where you need to be first and fast to break news, give your viewers factually correct and comprehensive breaking of events, mobile has become a must-have reporting tool.

The mobile reporting tools…

Take the case of CTV, Canada’s leading news source. The company has adopted iPhones and iPads as reporting tools and is efficiently using it to break news, whenever and whereever they take place. Armed with smartphones, the crew is able to report from the site, without waiting for its satellite van to arrive.

Shooting videos is just half of the story. The feeds need to be sent back to the studios, and as quickly as possible, to broadcast it. Sky News reporters use Dejero, a live broadcast app that lets them send live feeds from a mobile device back to the newsroom and straight on to the TV screens. CTV built a customized iGateway app that enables its journalists and reporters to upload video clips in the background as they shoot events. Using the app, reporters can now shoot a video, trim it on the device and securely transfer it to the newsroom.

Not just on-site but in newsrooms too…

The role of mobile devices and apps doesn’t end there. In the production room, portable and light mobile devices are replacing the now bulky laptops. It’s become a common sight to see producers and technicians using iPads in their work. And not be left behind, news anchors use their mobile devices as they report news to the viewers.

First & fast at lesser costs…

Mobile not only help news companies be first and fast to reporting but also help them cut production costs by reducing the crew size, cutting expenses on transferring broadcast equipment and in managing sattelite vans. And, as we move ahead, we will see more widespread and innovative use of mobility in broadcasting. Smartphone apps are quickly changing the face of news broadcasting.

Source: Apple

Source:Journalism.co.uk

Blog, Retail

15 insightful stats every retailer should know before building his next mobile app

February 28, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

Mobile devices and apps have transformed shopping. With the mobile applications on surge, retailers cannot afford to miss the growing opportunities to win and engage customers better as well as to make shopping effortless. However, just building any retail mobile solution will do no good. To make their app stand out of the crowd, retailers need to first gain insights on what customers think on retail apps and how they use it while shopping. Our retail mobility stats sheet will provide you with critical insights on shopping app usage and consumer preferences-

1. Mobile boosts revenues.
Of online revenue earned by retailers is via a smartphone or Tablet in 2013. The smartphone revenue increased by 113% over 2012, and revenue via Tablets grew by 86% over the same period. Source : Forrester

2. Mobile means more sales.
Sales made from mobile devices in 2013, a nearly 300% jump from $20.7 billion in 2012. Source : Javelin Strategy & Research

3. Mobile gets new customers.
New customers eBay won in 2013 was via mobile. They contributed $35bn in commerce volumes, 88% increase from 2012. Source : eBay

4. Apps connect brands.
Smartphone shoppers say mobile apps boost brand connection. Source : Adobe

5. Loyal customers need apps.
Shoppers use apps from their favorite stores. Adobe Source : Adobe

6. Branded apps add value.
Growth of branded apps in 2013. In 2013, 34% shoppers made a purchase via a retail branded app over the holidays, in comparison to 23% last year. Source : Baynote

7. Apps score over the web.
Shoppers in 2013 were interested in shopping using an app than on a mobile browser. Source : Adobe

8. Smartphone is an indispensable shopping companion.
Smartphone shoppers use a store locator to plan their shopping trip. 37 percent stay organized using lists while shopping on their phones. Source : Nielsen

9. Customer’s way to savings.
Shoppers use smartphones to search and scan to check prices. Source : Nielsen

10. Track the progress.
Smartphone shoppers said they use their devices to track the progress of their online orders. Source : Nielsen

11. Mobile at POS.
Smartphone shoppers use their devices for mobile coupons while 23% use for payments. Source : Nielsen

12. Mobile’s social connection.
Write comments on social media using their mobile device after purchasing a product. Source : Nielsen

13. Security, a key concern.
Shoppers in United States say they do not use their mobile devices for shopping because of security concerns. Source : PWC

14. Experience matters a lot!
Shoppers will defect to competitors due to bad mobile experience. Source : Skava

15. Ensure effortless shopping.
Customers feel check out on mobile is frustrating. Source : Skava

Blog, Healthcare

4 Significant Ways Mobile Can Help Accountable Care Organizations (ACO)

February 27, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

The healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation. Two factors are at play. New care models and deliver mechanisms are experimented with and are being adopted into the system to address critical challenges posed before the industry. Many healthcare organizations are now pursuing accountable care models wherein the organizations are accountable to the patient and third party payer like medicare companies for the quality, efficiency and cost of the care. On the other hand, healthcare organizations are embracing technologies to improve care, reduce costs and better treatment outcomes. Mobile devices powered by healthcare apps can play a significant role in enabling healthcare organizations to get lean, agile and responsive. Here are the 5 ways mobile devices and apps can play a larger role in ACOs-

1. Educate And Engage Patients

Patients often lack right information, guidance and support at the time of crisis. Every injury or illness doesn’t need a rush to the emergency care. A symptom checker app or video chat facility with a doctor can help patients take correct and informed decision on the treatment required and can help organizations reduce admission rates and treatment costs.

2. Boosting Efficiency Of HealthCare Staff

Healthcare mobility solutions like mobile EMR, physician rounding solutions etc., can liberate the nursing staff from central stations and help them be mobile. With a device in their hand, the staff can get updates on patient condition and can take necessary steps. Similarly, healthcare apps can reduce paperwork and other redundant activities of the staff helping them concentrate more on care, thereby improving patient satisfaction and treatment outcome.

3. Streamline And Better Processes

Mobile healthcare solutions can give a massive flip to streamline processes. Medication administration apps will ensure that right medications are administered to patients at the right time. On-the-move access to patients medical history help doctors take appropriate treatment decision from anywhere, anytime thereby helping them cover more patients in less time. Similarly, hospital asset management solutions ensure that organizations cam maintain and locate their various assets like medical equipments, wheel chairs and stretchers, effortlessly. Streamline and efficient processes will boost treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction in addition to lowering overheads of the hospitals.

4. Reduce Re-Admissions

Medicare companies have gone very strict on re-admissions. The onus is now on healthcare providers to reduce re-admissions. Post-discharge mobile apps can play a big role in managing the discharge process and post-discharge treatment management by facilitating communication and guidance between physician, home caregiver and patient. From providing a list of do’s and don’ts to recommending exercises and medication, the app can be a vital tool in home care. Remote patient monitoring apps can help healthcare staff monitor and provide treatment to patients at home thereby reducing hospitalization and readmission rates.

Mobile is quickly becoming an enabler in the new patient-centric and accountable healthcare model adopted by ACOs. Healthcare mobility solutions can perfectly align with ACO model to help them realize their objectives and empower patients through better access to information and care.

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Blog, Wearables

How wearable tech is invading the enterprises? Adoption, applications and success stories

February 25, 2014 [x]cube LABS Leave a comment

On February 11, this year, popular airline Virgin Atlantic unveiled a pilot project wherein the concierge staff will be using Google Glass and other wearable devices to deliver personalized customer services to its Upper Class passengers. As passengers step out of their limousines at Heathrow’s T3 terminal, they will be greeted by their name and the check-in process will be initiated by the staff. As the check-in process undergoes, Google glass wearing Virgin staff will update passengers on real-time flight status, weather and other relevant information of their destination. In future, Virgin plans to use the technology to further personalize the services to include dietary and refreshment preferences of its passengers. The company intends to understand the impact of wearables on customer services and their overall business ahead of a wider roll-out in future.

While this may be pathbreaking for the airline industry but clearly not an exception for businesses. Many enterprises cutting across sectors and geographies are looking at wearable tech as a change agent that can trigger the next generation of innovation. Like the internet and mobile revolution of the past decades, wearable technology and gadget are poised to change how businesses interact with their people, products and processes.

2014 is touted to be the year of wearable technology. However, as the world gets readies to embrace wearables, it is important to understand the technology and its implication for businesses. This article explores wearable technology in detail, understands its business potential, looks at the multiple challenges faced by businesses, talks about wearable technology applications across industries and gets you views from leading experts and practitioners.

The Shift…

Wearable technology has moved beyond sci-fi movies, military tools and is all set to become consumer technology of the future. Already there are number of wearable devices that are in use, both in personal life as well as in businesses. Take for example FitBit, a wristband that can be worn by the users. The device tracks steps, distance and calories burned during the day while at night helps the user track his sleep quality in addition to waking him up in the morning. In a Tesco distribution centre in Ireland, workers wear armbands that tracks the goods they are carrying and inputs the details into to the system. A band communicates to the wearer about his work-allocation, predicts the completion time of each task based on his history and calculates his movements. A display in the band provides an overview of complete and incomplete tasks to the worker.

The adoption of wearables in enterprises is spreading across all sectors, from the early adopters healthcare industry, sports, manufacturing to even gaming and entertainment. ABI Research predicts the market for wearables in sports and health industry alone to grow to nearly 170 million devices by 2017, an annual growth rate of 41%.
Clearly, what was imagination a few years back is now becoming a reality. And, in the next few years, wearables will take the world by storm.

What’s driving the change…

A perfect mix of innovation in technology, changes in lifestyles and a desire to be connected all the time is creating the platform for wearables to become mainstream and play a larger role in personal and professional lives. The massive proliferation of smartphones is one of the key drivers behind the surge in wearable devices and application. Smartphones are becoming enablers and a hub for most of the wearable apps. according to BusinessInsider, There are more than 250 million installed mobile operating systems that can support wearable technology. With Google, Apple, Microsoft and other market leaders pushing for the technology by making significant investments in R&D is also helping wearable technology get higher attention. Further, technology is getting sophisticated as we see improved hardware with powerful , precision-rich sensors and long-life batteries. By 2020, batteries are expected to be 2.2 times more powerful than the current available ones. And, beyond technology and markets, it is the changes in our lifestyles and the natural desire to be connected, updated with real-time information flow which is what making a strong case for wearable technology to get integrated with the broader ecosystem of connected technologies.

Wearable applications across sectors

Smart watches, glasses, fitness devices and smart clothes; wearables are spreading their wings, opening up new possibilities and are driving the innovation in the industry. Let’s look at a few wearable applications across the sectors-

Healthcare & Fitness: The healthcare and fitness industry is one of the early and most enthusiastic adopters of the wearable technology. From measuring cardio performance and heart rates of athletes to measuring vital signs of a patient and communicating it through mobile and web-based applications, wearable devices in the industry has shown lots of possibilities. The technology can help the healthcare industry address some of its critical challenges through remote access to quality healthcare, optimized utilization of medical resources, reduced healthcare costs and can significantly impact treatment outcomes.

‘The wearable band market is really about the consumerization of health.There will be exciting innovations that disrupt the medical industry this year, and with the increased awareness about personal wellbeing they will bring to users, having a computer on your wrist will become increasingly common.’

-Canalys Analyst Daniel Matte.

Manufacturing: In the industrial manufacturing sector, smart glasses, sensors and bands are being used to help workers communicate, access information and to input data to the information systems. Wearables are being used to help workers get task allocation, time-management and get feedback on their activities. In accident prone zones, sensors and bands are being used to monitor a worker’s alertness, heart rates and stress levels etc., to reduce accidents and speed-up incident management. Moreover, gloves that change colors in the presence of toxics and clothes that can heat or cool depending upon the environments are also being experimented with.

Christian Stammel, CEO and founder of Wearable Technologies, in a recent interview with IMT, listed a range of potential industrial applications for wearable technology, many of which are in development or already available for purchase:

Processes where workers need both hands
High-risk operations
Processes requiring high precision
Physically and/or emotionally tiring jobs
Remote monitoring and management
Hazardous material detection
Security profiling
Identity recognition
Tracking solutions

Banking: Spain’s Banco Sabadell has created an app for Google Glass that guides customers to the nearest ATM, provides them with account information and supports 24/7 video conferencing for customer services. The bank is also planning a check deposit app and is also considering adding more of its services to the wearable app. Experts say there is huge potential for wearable banking apps and devices in the industry with people demanding on-the-move access to various services.

“More related to the experience with this first app for a wearable device, we visualize that it will be important how these devices will change how we use services, for example giving access to customer support by a more natural (using just voice) and convenient way. (Imagine customer support, seeing the same screen as your customer without any additional software). It also will enable something like “talking” to machines. It begins to seem possible to say to an ATM, wearing a Google Glass, ‘Please, Give me money.’ (Likely in future releases Google Glass will allow iris-secure identification, etc. There are numerous opportunities!)”

-Xavier Marin, Digital Services Strategy at Banco Sabadell

Source- bankinnovation.net

Financial Services: Fidelity has developed an app for Google Glass that uses the innovative user interface of the Google wearable to offer functionality to investors like watching market news, getting updates on stock prices and generate market quotes from a company’s logo. The app uses pioneering concept of voice-command login to give access to the users account. Similarly, wearable devices can also help financial professionals to keep track of market movements even when they are away from their terminals.

“[A finance firm] is looking to use the ring for real-time data for finance professionals because you can’t be in front of your terminal 24 hours a day. But there are certain stocks and indicators they have to always monitor. By having something very personal on your body, like wearable technology, 24 hours a day, they can, for example, get information about whether a stock is going up or down.

-Adrian David Cheok, professor of pervasive computing at City University London

Source-Computerweekly

Travel: SITA Lab has developed an app named SWIFT Boarding that uses the smart headgear’s built-in camera as a scanner and the heads-up display. The app enables agents in the boarding area to scan and verify boarding pass and passport simultaneously wearing smart glasses. The agents hold the documents side by side while the app matches the two to ensure they belong to the same person. Further, smart glasses and watches can be used to provide flight, booking, weather and other related information to the travelers.

Jim Peters, Chief Technology Officer, SITA, speaking at the Europe Aviation ICT Forum in Vienna, said: “Wearable devices like Google Glass offer new opportunities to mobilize staff, keeping their hands free, while keeping them connected to the traditional check-in and reservation systems. Interaction can be via video analysis of what a staff member is looking at, like a boarding pass or bag tag, or voice recognition, or a combination of both.”

Entertainment: Philips has developed an Emotions Jacket that promises to take cinematic experience to next levels. The Jackets use sense of touch to help viewers feel the emotions of the character on-screen and makes them a part of on-screen action. In gaming, wearable tech promises to further push the virtual reality concept to make gaming more immersive. There are games developed for Google Glass that can use head movements, voice commands and taps to play the game.

“The entertainment aspect of (wearable) technology is what’s going to drive this. When people see it in their cars, and when they see all the fun things they can do with it, I think then (wearable technology) will really transcend into a must-have for other problems out there.”

-Patrick Bertagna, president, CEO and founder of GTX Corp.

Retail: Wearable applications can help retailers connect with their customer and deliver personalized experiences. Much better than what mobile phones currently do. Apps for smart glasses and watches can help customers create shopping lists and access it on the glass. Retailers can use apps for targeted advertising and precision marketing, right at the buying point, as ads can be displayed on the screen based on the past and current buying behavior of the customers. The apps can further be used to guide shoppers to the retailers, provide them with product and pricing information.

“Wearable technology has been identified as a potential driving force for the high street’s renaissance. With this technology, margins can be preserved and conversion optimized by offering the right offer to the right customer at the right time in a personalized way. Consumers will choose to adopt the technology if and when retailers clearly articulate the benefits for them.”

-Eric Abensur, group CEO of Venda

The Challenges

While wearable technology is continuing its progress in the enterprises and is set to take centre stage as a business technology in the future, there are several challenges that needs to be addressed.

Battery: Just as in mobile in the early days, battery size and power is a major limiting factor for the wearables. While there are expectations that by 2020, technology advancements will make battery 2X powerful than what they are today, there are still concerns for battery size which can impact the weight of wearables and hence wearability.
User Interface: Currently, being in the experimental stages, wearable devices don’t have standard user interfaces which may prevent users from comprehending data emanating from various devices.
Data security: The enterprise use of wearables will involve transfer of data and other critical corporate information among devices. This will require a robust security mechanism that not only protects data but also empowers enterprise to wipe-off data in case of unauthorized access and missing or theft of devices.
Privacy: User privacy is a major concern as mobile devices and apps have shown. With wearable applications able to capturing many sensitive data bio-metrics, patient vitals and shopping history etc., manufacturers have to battle out the privacy issue.

Wearable devices and apps bring similar challenges to enterprises what smartphones and Tablets brought in their early days. And therefore, if wearable technology has to become an enterprise technology, manufacturers and developers need to quickly address the challenges to earn the trust of the businesses and push its usage.

Its just the beginning…

Who would have believed, a few decades back, if we were to tell him that there will be a device which can allow you to talk, listen to music, shoot pics, work, play games and so on. And that too wirelessly anywhere, anytime. The same is true for wearable tech. We are in the forefront of another technology revolution that will transform the way we connect, communicate and work. Wearables will encompass everything around us. Enterprises must get ready to embrace the change.