DEV Community: Clever Software Group

A Mobile-First Future

Clever Software Group — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 07:51:16 +0000

How much time do you spend on your phone throughout the day? Compare that to how much time you now spend sat scrolling at a desktop screen – work and gaming aside.

We are very much living in a mobile-first society; a shift in habits that has been in the pipeline since the first mobile phone was produced in 1973. We all know Google holds the monopoly on a lot of things. The tech giant has a wealth of power at is proverbial hands and from this, can play God with a lot of different factors. Notably, dictating how a website ranks, depending on how mobile friendly it is.

Since 2016, Google has been experimenting with the implementation and effects of mobile-first optimization; this entails tailoring website content specifically for a mobile device. Traditionally user interface and experience (UI and UX) design would be based around the wireframes of a desktop website, with countless hours spent mapping out detailed user journeys. However, this time is now spent combing through how a desired end-user would interact with a mobile-first interface – something as a bespoke software development company we are all too familiar with.

Over the past decade, UI and UX designers have slowly but surely been progressing into the realms of mobile-first design. This is not only because it is now very rare that someone doesn’t own a mobile or smart device, but also due to Google primarily using mobile versions of webpages to rank sites. In the first quarter of 2021, approximately half of all worldwide web traffic came from mobile searches. The global population is most definitely in favour of mobile scrolling, as opposed to desktop searching. If you can easily access a website that is quite literally at your fingertips, in a matter of seconds for a large majority of your day, of course that is going to be your preferred method of searching the internet.

Due to natural progression, in 2018, Google announced that it would be expanding on mobile-first optimisation indexing and that companies should adjust their websites in accordance. Mobile-first ranking is not a feature that you can simply opt out of unfortunately. Mobile-first is the future.

Google decides whether a website is optimised for prime mobile use, based on the quality of imagery, videos and links used within the body copy and content. Alongside this, the search engine rates the loadability time of a page. End users are less likely to bounce off a page if it loads quickly, thus holding their attention. This, paired with fascinating visuals and memorable content, are the first steps towards a well optimised mobile-first webpage.

Whether you are adapting your webpage to fit the mobile-first criteria or you are creating a new webpage to enter the booming digital transformation the globe is currently experiencing, mobile-first planning will cause you to rethink what content should be most prominent on your site. What information do you want your desired end user to access and digest first?

Essentially, the same experience should be provided across all platforms related to your business. It is easier to scale a mobile-first design to fit the aspects of a desktop screen, opposed to vice-versa. However, this shift towards mobile-first pages will see the dissolvement of responsive web design. They will in time become obsolete and be replaced by newer, more efficient software development.

Of course, mobile-first optimisation will also be a big player in regards to SEO. For your business to stay relevant and rank well on Google, mobile-first content and design should be at the forefront of every digital marketer’s mind. Like for like content should be provided across all platforms for end user’s familiarity and trust, but also behind the scenes with finer details, such as meta tags and headers. It is also recommended not to cut corners by providing less information on a webpage. Google won’t thank you for that and it may harm your SEO. End users also won’t receive as much information as they may desire, resulting in an increased bounce rate. Mobile-first is a rapidly approaching future and now is the time to embrace it.

Out of this World: Virgin Galactic Makes a Giant Leap for Mankind

Clever Software Group — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:24:40 +0000

From vinyl records to tech and travel, Richard Branson has pretty much got us covered in every aspect of daily life.

This may not be a custom software development based blog this week, but at Clever Software Group, we like to keep our finger on the pulse when it comes to revolutionary moments in history. What took place last Sunday afternoon was most certainly one of those moments (and no, we are not talking about THAT Euro’s final).

Richard Branson and a crew of talented individuals embarked on Virgin Galactic’s first out of this world adventure. Having already conquered the music, telecommunications and health industries, it only seems natural that the next steps for the founder of one of the world’s most iconic brands, was to explore space travel.

At 3.30pm on Sunday 11th July 2021, Branson and the crew of Unity 22, were launched into the great unknown. The flight was a great success and in the dawn of a new age space race, Branson and the Virgin Galactic team entered the stratosphere 9 days ahead of Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos. Coined the ‘Billionaire Space Race’, Bezos founded Blue Origin in 2000, with Virgin Galactic following suit 4 years later. 2 decades have passed since two of the world’s wealthiest men began their space odyssey mission, with Branson just pipping the post with his flight last week.

The launch not only marked the spaceline’s fourth space flight, but its first fully crewed test flight. Having reach an altitude of 53.3 miles, the flight took place from Spaceport America, located in New Mexico, Texas. Spaceport America is the first purpose-built commercial space port. It seems that Branson is still continuing to add to the already gigantic number of ‘firsts’ he already has under his belt.

With a rich legacy now behind him, Branson originally founded Virgin Records in the 1970s, as a company that sold records via mail order. Having crossed literal oceans and broken many records throughout his outstanding career, the groundbreaking entrepreneur was hungry for his next big challenge. Branson has even described Virgin Galactic as being “the greatest adventure of them all”.

Virgin Galactic is intended to be the world’s first commercial spaceline. Although it may seem like a sci-fi idea to many, the dream is that space travel will become an everyday occurrence for everyday people. Just like popping on a flight from Bristol to Edinburgh, space travel will be accessible for all. Humankind has been venturing into space for just shy of 65 years. What was unimaginable over half a century ago, has become run of the mill in today’s digital society. The general public being able to experience space travel first hand, will be a very poignant aspect of the not-so-distant future. Now, it is more about when it will become a daily occurrence, instead of how and by what means.

Virgin Galactic’s first fully crewed test flight one small step towards a bigger advancement in space travel, but one giant leap towards an exciting new adventure of humankind.

Web Vs. Native Apps: Which is Better?

Clever Software Group — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 10:34:25 +0000

Developing an app that encompasses and showcases your business, is an important thing to get right first time round. Essentially, it will be the face of your enterprise as well as being the first point of contact majority of your customers have with your company.

However, before you get into the finer details of how the UI will function and look, you first need to decide what type of app is a better for your business needs. Would you prefer to have your customers use a web app to browse, or to download a native app, to use on their smart device or desktop?

At Clever Software Group, our talented team of custom software developers can help you devise either platform. Here is an overview of both web and native apps, so you can have a better understanding of how they would work for your business.

What is a Web App?
Web apps are very versatile pieces of technology. They work online via browsers and are used for a multitude of purposes, from retail to ticket booking.

Web apps don’t take up much storage at all and are typically easier to maintain than native apps. Bespoke software developers don’t have access to software development kits (SDK) when crafting web apps, however templates are available for them to work with.

In theory, web apps are much quicker to develop and therefore cheaper to produce. However, they do not always offer the same functionality and features as native apps. This is a very important aspect to consider, as you need to contemplate how your desired end user will interact with the final app interface. Despite this, web apps are very transferable examples of software; they can be accessed via any form of web browser, from an unlimited number of devices, in any preferred location – you get the picture.

Although very accessible, web apps can sometimes operate at a slower pace, depending on how browser-side data is stored and cached. However, the beauty of a web browser is not having to install or download anything. A browser is all that is required and you are good to go.

Food for thought: Less browsing is now taking place on desktops. Our digital habits have moved towards smartphones and devices, which occupy majority of our screen time.

What is a Native App?
A native app is a form of custom software development that can be downloaded on a device and accessed by clicking on a icon, featured on a gadget screen. Typically they are developed for one platform, with different formats for various operating systems. Native apps utilize the features of the device to enable a better user experience, including access to location services and contact lists.

Unlike some web apps, nearly all of native apps provide a notification service. Users will usually be alerted of any updates, messaging or offers that the native app company has available. A very good marketing tool to make use of.

Whereas web apps purely operate online, native apps have the ability to function offline at full capacity. In this respect, they are more mobile (pardon the pun) than web applications. We are moving into a ‘mobile first’ technological environment, with most platforms now being optimized for mobile usage. In correlation with this, native apps are typically faster than web apps, making them much more user friendly.

Nevertheless, native apps take a lot more time to maintain and support, as opposed to web apps. Instead of being able to deploy updates as and when they are ready, native web updates need to be ‘packaged’ as a new version and uploaded onto a system app store. This means that the upkeep of native apps is more costly, but users will arguably have a better experience when using a native app.

Finishing Thoughts
Fundamentally, web and native apps both cater to an array of different needs. It all really depends on the problem you are trying to solve, with the bespoke software solution you want to craft. Both equally have their own strengths and weaknesses, but it comes down to the needs you wish to address, creating the best fit for your company.

If you need help deciding if a web or native app is more appropriate for your business, please get in touch today. We are happy to answer any questions you may have and help you build a bespoke software system for your unique business needs.

Big Data Vs. Market Research

Clever Software Group — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:46:16 +0000

Big data is a phrase that has been flying around for a little while now. It has become a topical conversation point within the world of custom software development and technology.

Big data and data collection has become second nature on many e-commerce platforms and websites. It is an easy way to collect a mass amount of information about consumers, in a relatively short space of time. Big data allows individuals’ preferences and ideals to be gathered in one foul swoop, without diving very deep beneath the surface. However, it seems that big data has started to venture into the territory of traditional market research. In time, it is thought that big data could eradicate old school market research altogether. Why would you need to carry out extensive surveys and questionnaires, when data can be collected online with far much more ease?

Despite this shift, there are key differences between the way big data and market research methods should be used. Although big data is affecting the way market research is conducted and put into practice, both are very valuable tools in their own right and should be used accordingly.

Old Vs New
The amount of data available to be collected from consumers is mind boggling. As technology and bespoke software development becomes more innovative and complex, so will the data that is accumulated.

Typically, big data is amassed regarding our online behaviours. Advanced software and technology systems are then used to decide what these interactions correlate to. In turn, this affects our preferences and personalizes our online experiences. This is why an advert might appear on the side of a website or social media platform, of a product you have just been looking at online. Or perhaps you have just been discussing what to have for dinner and your phone casually displays an ad for a food delivery app. This may seem like a very daunting prospect, but in the long run, data collection will greatly enhance our user experience and journey when interacting with digital platforms.

More traditional market research studies revolve around cumulating specific amounts of knowledge, using multiple methods or large sample sizes. A great depth of information can be collected in this way and it has worked perfectly well for many years. However, there is now a new kid on the block and the information collected doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface of that that big data can muster. This is why many brands and companies now choose big data methods to learn nitty, gritty details about their consumers, opposed to conventional market research techniques.

Human-Centred Approach
Although a wealth of information can be gathered through big data, specialist custom software techniques are often required to sift through it and unravel the information provided. This can often lead to specific details being missed and subsequently losing the human element of data collection. This is something that well established market research methods are better suited to.

It can often be forgotten that humans are the end users and target audience in many circumstances; this is something big data is far from understanding.

Despite being more human-centred, market research struggles to represent the entirety of a specific market. This is why big data is predominately affecting the use of market research, as it is better at displaying and understanding market niches more clearly. Good response rates and sample sizes are required from market research studies, to accumulate enough usable information and to provide a voice of the customer.

Which Should be Used for What?
Ultimately, big data is used in aim to predict consumer behaviours and trends, so digital services can be tailored to create a more effective, personalized experience whilst online. Yes, big data is affecting the application of market research, but sometimes an old dog can learn new tricks.

Deciding whether to apply big data or market research to a situation will depend on the desired end results. What do you wish to learn from consumer behaviour?

Big data can provide much deeper insights into business trends. More specifically, tracking purchasing and browsing behaviours in real time, allowing mass collection of data in a small timeframe. This will lead to more effective decisions to be made, regarding digital platform features and predicting future behaviours. Think of it as a virtual crystal ball.

On the other hand, traditional market research is a much more personable method of collecting information, with the consumer often at the heart of studies. It will delve into why an individual will make a specific decision, according to their emotional preference. In theory, market research will predict future trends made on opinions and attitudes.

In a simple roundup:
Big Data = Behaviour
Market Research = Intention

To Wrap Up
So, there we have it. Big data will more than likely replace traditional market research methods, but the human-focused element needs to be enhanced before this happens.

Big data is already well established and engrained within social media and analytics collected via the digital platforms we use. Personal data has become readily accessible in today’s digital society, meaning the way we consume product information and media can be easily recorded virtually, without us even noticing.

Big data will change the core of physical market research in the long term, as the world continues to transform into an increasingly digital environment.

A Hunger for Food Delivery Apps

Clever Software Group — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:44:28 +0000

Covid-19 has effected many things, but did any of us think it would alter our food shop and takeaway services? Cue the increase of food delivery apps.

At Clever Software Group, our custom software developers are experts at developing line of business mobile apps; a software solution that saw a serge in demand throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. As a bespoke software development company, it is our job to connect people and increase business intelligence. The custom line of business apps we craft, in accordance with your unique specifications, will revolutionize the way you do business. It has been very interesting to monitor the use of line of business mobile apps within the food delivery and hospitality industry, throughout the turbulent period of the pandemic.

Usage of platform-to-consumer app services has nearly more than doubled during the crisis, and in its wake, has shaken up societies food delivery and takeaway ordering habits. Custom software systems, such as food delivery apps, have allowed consumers to continue purchasing whatever they’d like to eat, whenever they want over the past 18 months, when all of the hospitality sector was asked to close.

Due to various national lockdowns, delivery apps became the saving grace for so many business owners. An increase in people used the bespoke software solutions to not only order their favourite takeaway treat, but also their weekly shop via digital platforms.

A cheeky takeaway, whilst having a quiz night with friends and family, became a staple in our weekly routines for so many of us last year. The implementation of line of business apps allowed many independent eateries and restaurants to stay afloat during a very testing time. Exploring digital avenues was often the only way businesses could continue to operate during the national lockdowns, with custom software development being the driving force behind so many hospitality applications and online interfaces.

So many of us saw takeaways as something to look forward to during the pandemic, with little else to do at the time. And let’s face it, no one wanted to do the washing up – life was hard enough already. Thanks to the advancement in bespoke software systems, technology and a booming digital transformation, the need for food delivery apps is now in high demand. They have allowed the hospitality industry to continue to function in some form, whilst encouraging consumers to spend more via specific features on apps and still provide and excellent service.

Pre-Covid-19 (remember those days?), people would often turn to food delivery software and services as a convenience for fast paced lives. However, this increased drastically during the pandemic, as people were also reluctant to visit supermarkets and stand in a queue for hours on end. As Brits, we love a queue, but we all have our limits.

The global crisis made many of us rethink the way we approach our food shop. A large majority of consumers began to look for more ways to purchase produce, to avoid waiting in long online lines for supermarket home deliveries. In an answer to this, 3.5 million boxes of fresh fruit and veg were delivered nationwide by over 500 British companies, such as Riverford, during the early stages of the pandemic. The massive strain on supermarkets caused so many of us to look for alternative food shops, with a large focus turning to online ecommerce sites and bespoke software applications, to provide the desired outcome.

Food delivery has expanded from purely takeaway-based services, to being able to order everything and anything you could wish for. If you have forgotten to pick up some kitchen roll and washing-up liquid on your way home, you can now use food delivery apps such as Deliveroo, to bring the desired products to your doorstep in under an hour. Whilst you’re at it, why not throw some biscuits into your virtual baskets for good measure.

Deliveroo was the pioneering platform-to-consumer app, with the food delivery company partnering with multiple well-known supermarkets during the pandemic, to offer a wider range of products to its consumer base.

The UK takeaway industry is responsible for 40% of the European takeaway revenue, with 24.8 million users of food service apps in 2020 alone. Millions of first-time users took to food delivery apps during the Covid-19 pandemic, causing a mass boost in food orders within the first 3 months of the initial national lockdown.

The rise in usage of food delivery apps has transformed employment. Not just internally for hospitality businesses themselves and the need for more delivery drivers, but it has also created a high demand for bespoke software developers and companies to develop mobile apps. Food delivery and service apps have created a lot of opportunities for the food industry and its consumers alike.

Takeaway and online grocery orders will probably decrease ever so slightly, as lockdown restrictions continue to lift, but the effects of food delivery apps will be long lasting. Consumers will still be able to relish in the convenience of having a food shop or takeaway order arrive at their home almost instantly. As the digital transformation of so many sectors continues, more and more eateries within the hospitality industry will require the services of custom software developers to create food service apps, to keep ahead of the competition and drive consumers hunger, in more ways than one.

If you would like our help to craft a line of business or platform-to-consumer app, please contact us today. We look forward to helping you with a tailor-made software service for your business.

Keeping Your Business Cyber Secure

Clever Software Group — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 08:16:50 +0000

As a custom software and database development company, we are well versed and experienced in all forms of protecting your data and sensitive information. We know what it takes to ensure that your information is kept safe and make sure it stays that way.

Protecting your business from cyber threats needn’t be a daunting task; we are here to help you take care of the difficult. Here are a few ways we can help your company keep out of the murky waters of a cyber-attack:

Backing Up Databases
Ensuring you have the right resources to support and backup your company’s information and files is vital.

Backup copies of data can be stored remotely in another location via a server, or hosted through the option of a cloud storage system. Database management and reserves will allow you to restore all of your business files, in the unlikely event of a cyber security attack. However, it is better to be safe than sorry.

We are able to help you craft a custom cloud-hosted database solution, that will be able to grow with your business. It is our job to provide a scalable, cost effective software solution, so that you can monitor your infrastructure. Of course, a tailored backup and disaster recovery service will be put in place, for your peace of mind and to keep out of harms way.

Keep Your Enterprise Software Up-to-Date
Older, outdated versions of software systems are more susceptible to malware and cyber security breaches. Regular updates or implementing a new, shiny custom software solution, tailor-made to your business will drastically reduce the risk of an unplanned disaster taking place.

Achieving innovation through custom software design will give your business an even greater edge. It will pave the way for more enterprise opportunities, whilst strengthening your cyber security. Cutting-edge software systems come hand-in-hand with better encryption and security precautions, keeping unwanted hackers away from your data.

We are also able to deliver dedicated software developer support, from the system makers who know your software solutions inside out. This will help you to enhance your software’s usability, as well as applying updates and security patches to your business-critical software.

Don’t Cut Corners
Using free or cheaper off-the-shelf software packages may seem like a good idea to keep your budget down. But they can often be very harmful to your business’s cyber security. They may come with permissions that are unsafe to use, or unwanted built-in features, that may replace assets you have already implemented.

This can sometimes cause your sensitive information to be invaded by trojans and affect functionality and security of your software system. With a bespoke software solution, comes the knowledge that there will be no hidden nasties that will cause havoc with your data.

At Clever Software Group, we focus on achieving improved performance and enforcing data integrity, to implement seamless data security solutions to mitigate risks.

Conclusion
Clever Software Group’s team of master SQL database developers seek to provide a secure, accessible, powerful data structure for your business, to keep you cyber-secure. We facilitate greater process management, data handing and analysis, to enable faster, more precises decision making.

Speak to us today about how you can make you enterprise cyber security strong and more affective, for your expanding business needs.

AI and the Medical Industry

Clever Software Group — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:44:34 +0000

Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a very powerful asset in today’s society. Before too long, we will more than likely find it featuring within majority of daily tasks we undertake.

It is very apparent that the medical industry underwent a rapid digitalization, due to the affects of covid-19. It was a revolution that had been in the pipeline for a while, but the pandemic spurred a change of priorities. This included the need to reduce physical contact to suppress transmission of the virus, leading to technological and custom software solutions to be created that could be utilized remotely. Both have been a massive support for so many industries during the past 18 months, when they needed to turn to tailor-made software solutions to continue operations. This is only going to continue after the fallout of covid-19, as cultural shifts continue to change and dominate the way companies work.

However, at Clever Software Group, we have been contemplating where AI fits into this digital revolution, which is currently taking place within the medical field. Yes, it is a technology that is ground breaking and could potentially lead to a world of new opportunities. Despite this, it could be argued that the development of AI is still very much in its infant stage and, perhaps, isn’t yet capable of covering diverse illnesses and problem areas found within the medical industry.

Medical science is quickly evolving and advancing at lightning speed. This has been highlighted by the very short timeframe used to produce and rollout the various coronavirus vaccines, in recent months. The advancement in medical technologies and understandings is vastly enhancing quality of life, as well as life expectancy. It has been predicated that the use of AI within the medical world will only support these aspects further.

AI technology has the potential to drastically reshape how medical care is administered, streamlining healthcare processes, whilst increasing overall efficiency and productivity within the industry. Better care would be provided to those who are less able to access good health support and facilities. This would further improve the comfort, wellbeing and standard of living for those who may be more frail or situated in a remote location.

Due to the globally aging population, medical institutions are facing a large increase in demand for services. This in turn is causing a dramatic rise in cost for recourses used, with supply and demand struggling to be met in some cases.

AI could be a major driving force behind a large scale structural change of the healthcare system. This would allow care centres to remain sustainable and thriving. In 50 years’ time, 7.5 million people are predicted to be over the age of 65, in the UK alone. With this, a real strain will be placed on both the physical and financial resources health care providers can access and offer.

However, the UK government has pledged a £250m investment for boosting the role AI plays within the healthcare service. The medical industry has been notoriously slow at adopting new technologies and bespoke software development in the past. But, as society begins to reopen once again, a huge shift has turned to returning healthcare and medical sectors back to pre-lockdown functionality.

AI has the potential to create better care outcomes, by using sophisticated methods to produce predictive models and algorithms. This will improve efficiency in wellbeing distribution and patient care plans. Creating a cohesive AI ecosystem to meet the demands of the healthcare industry’s infrastructure will be no small task. However, the implementation of such advanced technology will improve the quality and speed of patient diagnosis tenfold. Healthcare practitioners would be able to access information that could lead to better patient outcomes, in much shorter timeframes, leading to a better service of care being provided.

AI technology has come on leaps and bounds since its first initial conceptualization in the 1950s. Small steps have already been made to integrate AI solutions into the medical industry, however the surface has barely been scratched, in terms of what could actually be achieved.

AI technologies are already being used within radiology departments, to highlight areas that need specific attention, on scans. It is also being used to automate image analysis and diagnosis, to reduce further chance of human error. These advancements are emphasizing the opportunities for inclusive, fully automated solutions within the medical sector, with little to no need for human guidance or oversight. Alternatively, as Big Data continues to become more and more accessible across multiple platforms, AI systems will be able to assess and manage unimaginable amounts of data. This will make it easier for AI integrations to analyze, process and ascertain new patterns within medical data. This will allow critical research into chronic and terminal illnesses and diseases to become much easier to undertake.

Within the next 10 years, we will more than likely start to see hybrid AI working models appear, within the medical field. These will enable healthcare professionals to be able to override medical advice and decisions, made by AI technologies. This could potentially reduce the amount of time spent on administrative duties, but also have the ability to make the dispensation of live-saving treatments faster and allow the diagnosis of conditions to be made more swiftly.

The medical industry is in the very early stages of beginning to understand how AI advancement and technologies can be used to fully support its services. However, it has been forecast that AI will allow hospital-based care to move towards home-based care, for less severe conditions and diagnoses. This will be due to the supposed creation of virtual assistants and remote monitoring. This is just a theory at this stage and it will be years before it is implemented; it is still a very sci-fi notion at this point.

The full understanding and capability of the uses of AI within the medical field are still yet to be discovered. However, the implementation of state-of-the-art AI technologies within the medical field is only set to increase, supporting and enriching the medical science revelations being made every day.

Farewell to Internet Explorer

Clever Software Group — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:03:42 +0000

We have all been there. Trying to browse the internet in a rush and have accidently clicked Internet Explorer (IE), instead of one of the more superior web browsers. This leads us to question our life choices, as we wait for IE to load, knowing full well that we could’ve made a cup of time in that time.

Despite the love-hate relationship we all have with the archaic web browser, it is time to say a (long) overdue farewell, to what has become somewhat of an icon. Google Chrome is the search engine of choice in the Clever Software Group office, but we are of course all very familiar with Internet Explorer – After all, it could be considered a pioneering web browser.

Tech giant Microsoft has announced that after 26 years of arduous service, Internet Explorer is finally being pensioned off, in a years’ time. After June 2022, the web browser will no longer be accessible on consumer versions of Windows 10. Microsoft Edge, the tech company’s newer search engine, was released in 2015 and will act as IE’s full time replacement. Edge will feature an ‘Internet Explorer mode’, allowing certain aspects to still continue. This will allow the transition from one browser to another to be as smooth as possible.

It is a relatively unknown fact but Internet Explorer 3, which was launched in 1996, was the first web browser to introduce Java applets and implement CSS – something which we are very familiar with as a custom software development company. So in a sense, Internet Explorer was somewhat of a software trailblazer in its day.

The final days of Internet Explorer have been anticipated for a while now, with only 1% of consumers still actively using the browser, over other available search engines. The most recent version of IE, released what feels like a lifetime ago in 2013, will cease to support online Microsoft services, such as Office 365, Outlook and OneDrive. The outdated web browser has already stopped supporting the web app version of Microsoft Teams, which was put into action last year.

Microsoft has slowly, but surely, been trying to phase out the use of Internet Explorer, since the inception of more advanced web browser, Edge.

Sean Lyndersay, the programme manager of Microsoft Edge, has described Edge as being a “faster, more secure and more modern browsing experience”. Consumers that are still reliant on Internet Explorer at home have been advised to move away from its services, before its official retirement on June 15th 2022. Google Chrome leads the internet browsing field, with over 64% of consumers choosing to use it over any other search engine. However, 3% of users still continue to press on with Microsoft Edge. The loyal following of Internet Explorer users will more than likely move to Edge, after IE is laid to rest.

Microsoft Edge’s ‘IE mode’ support feature is thought to be implemented until at least 2029. It is rumoured that a years notice will be given, if support for this feature is to be discontinued.

So, it is with a heavy heart that we prepare to say goodbye to a household name, in the field of software and technology – although, you have probably unpinned it from your desktop taskbar already.

Take a bow, Internet Explorer. You have served us well, despite being ever so slightly frustrating at times. Scheduled to be gone, but not forgotten.

Teach yourself to code

Clever Software Group — Fri, 07 May 2021 11:03:08 +0000

Teaching yourself to code may seem like a very daunting task. However, it’s one of the skills in life that you don’t need any prior experience to undertake. You simply need to have the right mindset to do so, an interest in problem solving and the desire to craft incredible pieces of custom software development.

The majority of the developers at Clever Software Group are all self-taught, including the company’s Managing Director, Andrew Matthews. Either through an inquisitive desire to learn more or as a hobby on the side, our bespoke software developers have taught themselves to code to an incredible level. Each and every one of our agile software developers are experts in the field. The whole team is highly skilled and committed to offer a unique blend of experience working across various technologies and industries.

Coding has now become easier to learn than ever before, with so many tutorials, guides and free resources available online. The UK’s education and syllabus regarding computers, technology and programming is majorly lagging behind so many other countries, causing a massive skills shortage, meaning there’s a large gap in supply and demand.

Here are some hints and tips on how to make learning to code a little more manageable.

Processing New Information
Everyone deals with the intake of new information differently and we have each learned how to retain material in our own way. As much as watching online tutorials and videos is good in terms of learning to code, you may not be able to hold onto all the information you have seen.

It can often be difficult to remain focused when learning a new skill, especially when it involves looking at a screen for extended periods of time. It is also completely normal and healthy to feel confused and overwhelmed by all the information you will be bombarded with. Make plentiful notes as tutorials progress and screen record when possible, so that you can refer back to specific points that you may need to pay more attention to.

It can sometimes be hard to explain code to non-coders. Code comes in various different languages after all, so in a way, it’s not different to learning French or Spanish. But take you time with it and revisit information if you need to; the fundamentals will be the most important part of the learning process. Try and avoid copy and pasting code in the early stages. This will help strengthen your muscle memory when it comes to syntax and drastically strengthen your coding skills. Copy and pasting code is also a very bad habit to get into – avoid it at all costs.

Go Over Newly Acquired Knowledge
To help you work through bits of information you may not completely understand, try and explain them to yourself in your own terms, or as if you were explaining it to someone else. This will allow you to understand where some skills and knowledge may need a little more refinement and extra support.

Working on a small project of your own, whilst also actively learning new information, will help you improve your code quality and skills tenfold. Try and implement every new thing you learn into your project, no matter how small, to gain a better understand of how code performs. You don’t need to be a slave to online courses and tutorials, but making time to work at improving your skills will do wonders. Simply knowing the information won’t help; you need to practice and apply it to help you expand your skill set.

Staying Motivated
We undertake tasks and activities we enjoy to achieve instant gratification. This is a really good view to apply to coding; make sure you take ample pleasure in the small wins.

Setting yourself small, manageable goals will make the process of learning to code more enjoyable and less demanding. You will be able to take things in your stride, remain on track and ultimately stay motivated. Being able to tick-off a to-do list will allow a sense of achievement and allow you to grow in confidence as you progress.

Remember how far you have come and don’t let it go unnoticed. As time goes by, remind yourself that at one point you didn’t have the knowledge to produce the code you now can. You may not be able to feel yourself actively progressing, but each piece of code you retain and put into practice will be a step in the right direction.

Work on a Project that Interests You
As you start your journey of learning to code, make sure you begin a project that is of interest to you and will hold your attention. It will be good to follow some basic tutorials to begin with, but make sure you transfer these stills into something that you will enjoy creating.

Ensure it’s a light project, that won’t consume all of your time, allowing you to feel motivated to complete it. Whether it be an app or a piece of web development, shape it around something that will be beneficial to you and potentially make your day-to-day living a little easier.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Other Developers
As human beings, we are very quick to judge ourselves against how others are doing. This is a habit we desperately need to shake.

Everyone learns and progresses at a different pace, don’t put pressure on yourself to keep up with others. You have undergone learning to code purely because you want to, not due to the expectations of others. Just because you find a certain aspect of coding hard to begin with, it doesn’t mean you’re going to be a bad programmer. It’s a cliché, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Allow yourself time to nurture your newfound knowledge and expertise. You don’t need to code all-day-everyday, but setting aside time to practice will allow your coding skills to bloom.

Don’t be scared to ask for help either, if you get stuck. There are so many forums and blogs available out there to share and expand knowledge for this exact reason. Getting stuck and hooked on a specific issue will cause you to become frustrated and potentially want to throw in the towel – but don’t take this route. Take a break from it, get some help and come back to the problem area with a pair of fresh eyes. You will thank yourself in the long run.

If you have any questions for our custom software developers about how they got into coding, feel free to contact us. They will be more than happy to answer any of your questions.

Why Software Developers Need Soft Skills

Clever Software Group — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 12:55:52 +0000

Hard skills are obviously paramount within the bespoke software development industry. The quality of code your produce and other technical skills you pick up along the way will be the driving force of your career. This being said, it’s important not to lose focus of the soft skills that will help support you too.

A good set of soft skills will greatly benefit you as a software developer; they will allow clients and employers to help decide if you are the right fit for them, creating the perfect match for a project.

Here are a couple of soft skills we think every custom software developer should have under their belt.

1. Good Communication

Communication is key, as a bespoke software developer. Whether you work within a team, such as our team of developers here at Clever Software Group, or choose to go freelance, you will always need to be able to convey ideas and intentions effectively.

Whilst your potential teammates and project managers will have a knowledgeable idea of what you are talking about, most of the stakeholders and clients you work with won’t be from a technical background. At Clever Software Group, we explain things as simply as possible, to ensure everyone involved with the production of a software solution has a clear understanding of what is taking place.

Questions should be encouraged from all parties, so all involved are on the same page. Cutting the technical jargon and using language that anyone from any industry background can understand, will make you much more approachable as a bespoke software developer. Using analogies to simplify the explanation of processes, that can be understood by someone from a non-software background, will also massively work in your favour.

2. A Head for Team Work

Team work literally makes the dream work.

Whether you work within a team of bespoke software developers, relay ideas back to a UI or UX designer, or have to update a group of stakeholders on how a project is coming along, you will more than likely have to interact with one team or another on a daily basis.

You are not always going to be expected to agree with every idea suggested by a colleague, but working within a team can help lighten a workload, allow quick solutions to be explored and add a good social element to your day.

Software development can be a very loan profession, so checking in with your team on a regular basis will not only help promote and support their wellbeing, but also greatly benefit yours.

Custom software developers are usually working on individual tasks that make up a bigger project. Allowing the entire team to be in the loop via good communication and cohesively working alongside each other, will allow a project to progress as smoothly as possible.

3. Mentoring

We all began our career path as a junior – whether that be a junior software developer, designer or account manager. We have all got to start somewhere, but using our knowledge to help support others will do a world of good.

We each pick up our own individual hints, skills, tips and cheats as we progress through our professions. Sharing our skillset with others will allow them to do the same.

A prime example would be using your time to aid a junior software developer, that needs help with a solution. This small amount of time will allow a knowledge gap to be closed and permit a shared process to become an automatic provision, if required to be used in the future. You will be sharing a piece of advice that will more than likely be passed down to the next generation of developers. This is something that will probably resonate closely with many senior developers today, as they would’ve had essential information shared with them early on, to help them progress in their careers.

4. Problem Solving

Bespoke software development is basically finding and fitting different pieces of a puzzle together.

Whether it’s planning how a software solution is going to be crafted or solving a bug within a system, problem solving will happen on a regular basis.

Being able to keep a cool head and approach a difficult task calmly and with ease, will allow problems to become much easier to tackle. Remember, you can always ask for help as well. You don’t have to solve it by yourself. A team member may have a piece of knowledge that could quickly solve an issue. There are also so many helpful forums online, dedicated to helping software developers share and help come up with solutions.

5. Time Management

Time management is an extremely vital soft skill to consider as a bespoke software developer.

Clients will expect deadlines to be completed on or before the forecast completion date. Running late on a project delivery will not work well in your favour and will carry with it a multitude of consequences.

Excellent time management will allow you to keep on top of tasks, highlight what work needs to take priority and where majority of your energy needs to be allocated. Creating a detailed schedule for your day will help you easily visualize tasks and follow a regular routine, allowing chunks of your day to become much more manageable. You will also be able to create a healthy work-life balance, incorporating appropriate breaktimes and moving attention away from multitasking.

Not allowing an individual task to have your full attention will, more often than not, cause it to become more time consuming, leading to errors. Manage your time wisely and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

6. Creativity & Exploration

There is a stigma held around bespoke software development. It is assumed that it can be a very hard and demanding profession. As much as this can sometimes ring true, it also allows you a lot of space to explore many creative outlets, often paving the way for the best solutions to be produced.

The bespoke software development industry is constantly evolving, as new technologies are released each and every day. This allows the opportunity for a lot of exploration into new fields, the learning of better skills frequently and keeping yourself ahead of the curve in a very affluent industry.

Crafting a custom software solution requires a lot of creativity, especially if a problem needs to be solved along the way. Don’t be scared to try new methodologies and improve your skill set. You never know what you might discover.

If you're looking for an experienced team to design and develop your next piece of software, get in touch!

Phone: 01425 837290
Email: hello@cleversoftwaregroup.com
Website: Clever Software Group

5 Benefits of Bespoke Project Management Software

Clever Software Group — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 15:19:58 +0000

Project management tools have come on leaps and bounds. Gone are the days of planning things out, using endless reams of paper and packets of pens. Moving project management organization into a digital dashboard format has created boundless opportunities for companies, to track what is taking place with projects, both internally and externally.

A new hybrid way of working is coming into play, with the workforce now distributed across WFH and trickling back into the office. This will subsequently make it harder for project managers to monitor what is taking place, but it’s not altogether impossible. Custom project management software is designed and crafted with one key intention: to make life easier for everyone.

It is created to fit entirely to a companies individual needs, taking into consideration every necessary and meticulous aspect of each unique project. Here are 5 ways a piece of bespoke project management software will revolutionize the way you do business.

1. Straight Forward Project Planning
Project planning is obviously the most important element in project management. If this cannot be completed efficiently, it will cause bumps in the road for a project’s progression. No company would appreciate substandard project management, but this can easily be avoided by investing in a state-of-the-art, bespoke, project management tool. Tasks can easily be created, to allow for a consistent and concise management plan, with the ability to manoeuvre tasks, according to priority and influence of deadlines.

A clear overview of all deliverables will be visible, allowing assignment of tasks or subtasks to teams and individuals, to happen much more proficiently. An effective piece of custom project management software will drastically streamline the creation process and intern, elevate a timely delivery of a successful project.

Project management should not be a laborious task, but instead be enjoyable and consist of clever problem solving. A project manager needs to be in complete control at all times and navigate smoothly through different checkpoints of a project. A bespoke project management tool will open the door to any planning methodology imaginable, allowing companies, such as yours, to remain ahead of the game.

2. Accurate Forecasting
It is a well-known fact that project managers will more than likely be keeping tabs on more than one project at a time. Megan, our project manager at Clever Software Group, is the master of juggling multiple on-the-go projects and we are in awe of her abilities.

Typically, there can sometimes be a lack of visibility across projects, when there are so many elements taking place at once. Because of this, it can sometimes be tricky to calculate individual recourses and observe progress for each separate project. With the implementation of a bespoke project management tool into your business, a new found amount of transparency will be gained, with insightful forecasting coming hand-in-hand.

Everyone that is engaged within the project – from project managers, to bespoke software developers, clients and stakeholders – will be able to clearly see where time and resources are required to be allotted. All parties involved with the process with also be able to understand, in real time, any changes or additions that are mandatory to help the project move forward. This will drastically reduce the risk of wasting crucial development time and resources on unnecessary tasks.

3. Harmonious Collaboration
One of the most underrated elements of a custom-made project management tool, is the ideal that it brings a team closer together. With so many teams currently split across various locations, close collaboration and comradery is now more important than ever.

Tasks are often allocated by project managers to individual members of a team, but these all make up a much bigger picture and subsequently filter into a whole project. Bespoke project management software will allow entire teams, whether working remotely or in house, to keep track of how the totality of a project is progressing. This will permit a project to run like a well-oiled machine, as members will be able to view what elements of a project needs their attention, what is left to be completed, discuss tasks with teammates, access timelines and indicate benchmarks achieved.

All information featured and inputted onto your bespoke project management tool will feed back to your project manager, who can adjust tasks accordingly. Knowledge gaps can be addressed and closed, reducing the risk of a project falling off the rails. A strengthened sense of belonging will resonate within your employees, as everyone will remain aligned and in the loop of what is occurring within different projects. This can even apply to what is taking place across different departments.

4. Enhanced Customer Satisfaction
A bespoke software project management tool will allow you to establish an even stronger relationship with your clients and stakeholders. Working in close collaboration with clients is something we pride ourselves on doing, at Clever Software Group. Providing crystal clear clarity throughout a project is vital to a highly successful deadline completion.

Your clientele can easily become integrated into your bespoke project management platform, allowing them to have a transparent view of how their project is progressing. A satisfied customer will certainly want to work with you again and a tailor-made project management tool will help to nourish their expectations. Effective communication between multiple parties will work wonders and increase the rate of success for project delivery and satisfaction.

5. Quick Risk Identification
Naturally, there is always some element of risk attached to a project. This is something that is sadly unavoidable. However, a piece of custom project management software can make this risk factor much more manageable.

Risks can be flagged and identified quickly and efficiently, by both clients and in-house teams, before they are able to cause detrimental harm to a project. Action can be taken accordingly and highlight how an issue can be avoided in the future. Neglection of risks can lead to more harmful scenarios further down the line. Using a bespoke project management dashboard to recognize and log them as and when they crop up, will allow a project to run as evenly and unhindered as possible.

If you would like to discuss having a bespoke project management tool tailored-made to your enterprise needs, please click here.

5 in Demand Tech Skills

Clever Software Group — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 08:47:07 +0000

The tech industry is notoriously fast-moving and incredibly fluid in its practices. As a custom software development company, Clever Software Group is highly aware of this and endeavour to keep up-to-date with the latest and greatest technologies.

However, there has been a massive alteration regarding the working environment within the tech industry over the past 12 months, as more positions have moved to a remote working style. This shift and an increasing reliance on tech related products has highlighted some of the most in demand skill bases, required within the field of tech and software development in 2021.

1. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a term that keeps cropping up and a topic that you may become tired hearing about. However, this is for good reason. The cloud is currently taking the tech and software development industry by storm; it has already revolutionized the way hundreds of thousands of companies operate.

A staggering number of businesses and organizations are relying on cloud-based services and solutions every single day. This is a trend that isn’t going to subside anytime soon. With the likes of Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services carving out a path for others to follow, the demand for cloud solutions will only continue to grow throughout 2021 and beyond.

A prolific amount of businesses of all shapes and sizes are moving online, whether that be due to the covid-19 pandemic or otherwise. This has caused a surge in the demand for cloud-based engineers and developers, as companies move away from the more traditional server-based systems.

Cloud software has opened the door to allowing companies to easily scale their infrastructures, with little to no hassle, as well as providing access to information in real-time. These practices have become paramount over the past year, as globally work forces have moved to remote working.

2. Project Management

Project management has been around in some form or another since day dot, but really planted its roots in the 1950s. Now, a new hybrid form of project management and organization is starting to take form, with some of the work force returning to the office, whilst others continue to work from home.

Although this may sound like a logistical nightmare, it has lead to an increased requirement for project management prospects. New job opportunities in the field are set to rise to 22 million positions by 2027.

The demand for efficient and impactful project managers has increased substantially over the past 10 years, even more so over the past 12 months, due to the increase in work forces operating from home. Project managers are key figures in ensuring teams feel connected and are communicating affectively, whilst guaranteeing the needs and requests of stakeholders are being met.

Being able to respond quickly and calmly to changing situations, whilst communicating requirements to in-house teams and external members across virtual platforms, are soft skills not to be sniffed at. Project managers are honing their already existing abilities, such as agile and scrum approaches and remoulding them to shepherd a project through the goal posts, to adapt to new working conditions.

3. Mobile App Development

Society is becoming increasingly more reliant on smart devices to carry out menial tasks. People spend on average 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phones on a daily basis; this time is only predicated to rise.

Companies that offer access to a mobile-based apps are noting direct correlations between an expansion of customer bases and an increase in sales. Nearly everyone on the planet owns or at least has access to a smart device, so it only seems natural for a company to develop a relevant app that coincides with the product they are selling.

Experience in mobile app development is one of the most in demand skills within the software development industry, at the moment. There is a dyer need for more software developers in general, as there is currently a short in supply and demand, as the globe becomes more digitally connected. App development is by no means a new profession, but digital transformation has become a necessity for so many businesses, due to recent events. This has caused the need for app and software developers to rise.

4. Cyber Security

It is imperative for companies to keep sensitive information supplied by users and customers, in secure networks. There has recently been a rise in the number of cyber attacks and crime taking place; it is vital that precautions are put in place to prevent these situations from happening.

Despite there being an acute focus on cyber security within the tech and software development sector, there is a mass shortage of professionals with the necessary skills to meet the high demand currently required. Cyber security and encryption precautions are paramount for every online business to have in place. A cyber attack is capable of crippling a company and with so much at stake, developers are desperately required with appropriate cyber security skills.

This skill base is taken incredibly seriously within the tech industry and is on that cannot be overlooked or pushed aside.

5. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

More roles requiring the skills to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are predicated to grow rapidly over the next 5 years, as more and more technology becomes integrated with the software systems. To coincide with this shift in demand, software developers with AI and ML skills are on course to have access to the highest paying positions within the bespoke software development industry.

AI and ML have already begun to transformation a multitude of businesses and as the technology becomes more widely used, more and more industries will become enhanced by it each year. These aspects of tech are still considered to be relatively new fields within the software industry and are arguably still in their infant stages. Less professionals populate positions within these disciplines, compared to other regions of the software and tech industry.

Natural language processing tech is a pioneering trade and is rapidly transitioning into a very lucrative one. There are still so many new, exciting opportunities and territories to explore within this field; the only requirement is the skills and knowhow to become apart of it.

If you're looking for an experienced team to design and develop your next piece of software, get in touch!

Phone: 01425 837290
Email: hello@cleversoftwaregroup.com
Website: Clever Software Group