How Blockchain and IoT are Improving the Food Supply Chain?

Blockchain and IoT are the state of the art technologies that have set the wheel of INDUSTRY 4.0 on a roll. They involve multiple stakeholders and bring digital transactions, big data storage, and cryptographic security to the table. These smart practices and technologies have the capability to transform the food industry to make it more robust and sustainable. This article will give you an insight on how Blockchain and IoT are impacting Food Supply Chain.

What is blockchain?

Do you remember Skywalker from Star Wars keeping a record of things using ‘force’? Blockchain is the skywalker of the digital age which can help you to keep the track of things using digital systems. Blockchain is used to store data or keep records using technology. 

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) means a digital decentralised database that helps to keep check against data theft. Blockchain is a type of DLT, which is a digital system for recording digital transactions. Its super strength lies in the fact that it can keep a tap on transactions and related data in multiple places at the same time. Can you imagine a huge chain of boxes linked together? Blockchain stores data in blocks that are digitally chained together and computers in this system are connected to a peer-to-peer network instead of a central computer like in traditional databases.

So, Blockchain technology is preferred over conventional databases in how it stores and manages information. These days, the whole world is getting digitized and so cyber security is the new basic need of industries and people. Blockchain is designed to make it impossible to hack the system making it secure and immutable. Hence, Blockchain technology is getting more traction and it is being wide used by many businesses.

How blockchain is used by food supply companies?

Three years ago the world experienced something unimaginable. Many businessmen skipped their heartbeat and many companies left to face the inevitable. The COVID-19 disaster cut opened the existing fault lines in the supply chain. The nature of the food industry is such that it is vulnerable to timing, delivery and safety. If the food supply chain perishes, the whole human race perishes. Hence, to conquer such uncertainty, blockchain offers an amazing solution. Let’s take a deeper dive into the Blockchain and understand the impact it’s having on the food industry.

1) Blockchain ensures food safety. It can trace the food supplies from suppliers to buyers.

2) While of course, among the other benefits, balancing market pricing is one of them. It establishes a ledger in the network and adds value to the current market.

3) Blockchain is thoroughgoing. It helps by giving information about the entire value chain.

4) It is effortlessly easy to use for the participants. Access the records in your comfort without any hustle. It may help to give you an idea about the universal and total outline of supply and demand.

5) The blockchain apps for trades might upscale traditional commodity trading and hedging as well.

6) If transparency is something you are looking for in a business, then Blockchain is a big YES for you. It enables verified transactions to be safely shared with all players in the supply chain, creating a marketplace with immense transparency.

Food supply chain companies use blockchain to track and trace items as they move through the supply chain. The government and various industries are using blockchain as the basis for smart contracts and other mechanisms for transferring and protecting intellectual property rights. Many industries that want to revolutionise their business strategies are now exploring blockchain-based applications as a secure and cost-effective way to create and manage a distributed database and maintain records for digital transactions of all types.

Hence, blockchain is being considered as a viable solution for securely tracking and sharing data between multiple business entities. Along with blockchain, a few other technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) is also contributing to the blossoming future of businesses. 

What is the Internet of Things?

Do you want to turn on and turn off the car in your garage without moving a foot and enjoying soda sitting on your sofa or do you want to save energy and switch off lights in your house? You can do all this without moving a foot and with just your single command with IoT. 

Internet of Things refers to the combined network of linked devices and the technology that facilitates communication between devices and the cloud, as well as between the devices themselves. With the 21st century, the internet went on to reach everywhere. But more soothing than this was the advent of super-cheap computer chips and high bandwidth telecommunication which enabled billions of devices to connect to the internet. So from smaller devices like the table lamp to the bigger devices and things like cars, houses can use sensors to collect and store data and respond intelligently to users.

The Internet of Things incorporates everyday “things” with the internet. This has offered tremendous space for food supply chains to explore the area. The major drawback of the food supply chain was the irregular interconnection. IoT, thus indulging the interconnection between the various stakeholders of the supply chain helps to create an effortless and effective system. 

As computing devices also underwent a revolution, they were reduced in size, these chips also became smaller, faster, and smarter over time.

Multiple benefits that IoT offers to the Food supply chain industry 

So, let’s look deeper into IoT and the impacts it is having on the food industry

• It is cost-effective

The cost of syncing computer devices with other objects has now been reduced handsomely. It has opened a new avenue for the food supply chain industry as B2B businesses always look to reduce the investment and increase profits. Though costs of IoT are allied, they effectively increase the main course and profits.

• It soothes the process

The food industry can’t endure staying behind. Globally, the population has been booming and so the onus lies on the supply chain to balance the needs of the human race. The food industry, hence, has revolutionised itself with a focus on pouring our storehouses, businesses, and offices with IoT devices. These smart devices can automatically transmit and record data to and from the Internet. Which eases the surveillance burden of the contractors. 

• It makes tracking easier

The Internet of Things is everywhere. From manufacturer to retailer's market to consumers while they shop, IoT devices can help to track the food supply movement. In the food supply chain, data is used by companies to track and trace products movements, analyze trends of their usage, easily communicate with people, automated machinery, and many more endless uses. So IoT makes the hustle free tracking of every stakeholder of the food supply chain.

• Readjustment with the global trends

COVID 19 had skipped two good years from the lives of the people. Globalisation has reduced the boundaries and borders and brought the world closer to each other. But when disasters like COVID struck the world, it was nearly impossible for the world to avoid them. But with the IoT, these kinds of readjustments are now way much easier.

The IoT is made up of sensor-embedded devices that captures the data and then transmits volumes of data from all types of IoT devices to the Internet, machines, people, and beyond. So, by analysing the trends at any end of the supply chain, we can easily readjust the whole food supply chain cycle.

• It can spread awareness and make monitoring serene.

While the IoT offers novel uses in the food industry, it can replace the long used tracking practice of logistics. Gone are the days when it was difficult to keep track of the ordered products. Now companies can use smart labels to give consumers full visibility into their supply chain. Customers can simply scan the package’s QR code, and learn if the package has left the factory or when, and how each ingredient made its way into that particular product. This way, IoT is helping the companies to be aware of the purity and elevating food safety practices.    

• It can upscale the management of warehouses.

It is not just the food production, but the storage in the warehouses is also a huge task for food manufacturers. Manufacturers install sensors for timely monitoring, quality control, leveraging real-time analytics to streamline production, measure worker productivity, and calculate labour costs. IoT with real-time maintenance capabilities could automatically fix its own malfunctions before they occur.

According to the Food Industry Executive Report, researchers predict that more than 34 billion Internet-connected devices will be in use by 2020, 40 per cent of which will be used for business-related purposes. In the supply chain, the IoT enables real-time monitoring, transparency, huge data collection, and more effective and automated problem solving than conventional methods. To prepare for the future of demands, stakeholders of the supply chain must indulge the practice of IoT and effectively start to include the smart practices in the business. 

The pantheon of the INDUSTRY 4.0 is being led by smart practices like the blockchain and IoT and we at Biz4solutions are working hard to upcycle your business dreams. We bring not just the conventional solution but also offer smart ways to upgrade your business and increase the productivity of your business. It’s your time to say YES! Allow us to help you with Digital transformation, robotic process automation, IoT, blockchain app development, cloud solution, mobile apps and many more state-of-the-art services. Drop your email in the comment box and relax, our experts will get in touch with you shortly.

Essential Features to include in your Pharmacy Management System!

Digitalization has made its mark in every sub-domain of the healthcare sector, and the pharmacy industry is no exception. The advent of smart Pharmacy management systems has eased countless operational woes for pharmacy business owners. So, what is a pharmacy management system? Well, it’s a software system that has been programmed for carrying out various functions that are needed to operate a pharmacy business.

Versatile pharmacy software works wonders for pharmacy owners as well as consumers. A sound pharmacy solution automates and simplifies pharmaceutical functions like medication dispensing, identifying drug over-usage, etc. resulting in smart pharmacy management, reduced errors, and enhanced patient services.

Now the question that arises in your mind is; “What features to include in sound Pharmacy software?” This post provides you with detailed insights on the essential features to integrate within a modern-day pharmacy management software system. Let’s get started!

Pharmacy Management System: Essential Features

A Centralized Database for Data Storage

 

Data plays an important role in the pharmacy sector. Hence, a pharmacy business must ensure the safe and secure storage of data as well as a productive data processing mechanism. A pharmacy management system offers a centralized database for storing medicine-related data securely so that data is never lost and can be retrieved easily whenever needed. The system software also manages transaction records.

This feature adds to the patient’s convenience as it simplifies data search, ensures secure data access, and facilitates information collection about medicine availability. Providers reap the advantages of auto-generated drug reports, the need for a lesser workforce, improved communication between the pharmacy staff, real-time visibility into inventory and sales through advanced data analytics, and enhanced decision-making. The best part is that this centralized database is highly effective for businesses with small databases as well.

e-Prescription Generation

The usage of e-Prescriptions or electronic prescriptions is gaining momentum these days. Here’s how the process of e-prescribing functions?

A prescription is created electronically and then, transmitted from the prescriber to the pharmacy. Usually, a CPOE (computerized provider order entry) system like an EHR is employed for this purpose. The doctor creates a medication order using a CPOE system and sends it to the patient’s pharmacy through a secured connection. Once, the e-Prescription is generated, the pharmacy tracks the order and communicates whether that order was received and filled. Such communication between two systems is made possible with the usage of SCRIPT, a special XML-based standard. However, any type of prescription creation software needs to be Surescripts certified. So, healthcare entities generating ePrescriptions have to either get their system certified or pick pharmacy app development services that support Surescripts certification.

The e-Prescription feature saves paperwork, reduces the chances of human errors, and rules out the possibility of the prescription being lost or stolen. Moreover, as doctors can send medication refills directly to the pharmacy, medicines are speedily dispensed. Furthermore, patients availing of e-Prescription enjoy benefits like getting notified if they had missed picking up their order, creating order renewal requests with just a few clicks, and many more.

Synchronization with Real-time Information

An ideal pharmacy management system need to consider situations like technical glitches and system crashes where the data can get lost in a split of a second. For this reason, the system must synchronize with real-time data including price-related updates, inventory updates, and auto-program updates. This feature promotes real-time interaction and hence, allows pharmacists to help patients with insurance forms as well.

Analytics & Report Generation

Pharmacies interact with countless patients daily. This data concerning patient interaction is immensely beneficial as it helps pharmacy businesses in understanding the requirement, planning the future course of action, and improving business strategies. This data can also be useful while carrying out audits, inspections, or certification processes in the future.

A pharmacy app records data of each patient interaction, stores it in the pharmacy information system, and generates classified sales reports that are organized product-wise and category-wise. These reports calculate the factors that determine medication sales and provide crucial insights into the business activities of a pharmacy service. Service providers can effortlessly identify purchase patterns like which consumers frequently visit the pharmacy for medicine refills and what kind of medicines they order, which medicines are in demand at a particular season, etc. This way, pharmacy wholesalers/vendors can stock medicines as per the consumer requirement, be sufficiently equipped to handle the demand surge for specific drugs during a particular season like the flu season, and devise profitable marketing strategies.

Implementing an ERP system will help in handling monitoring & analysis activities and statutory audit checks.

Reports reveal a great deal about the current performance metrics of a pharmacy, the areas of improvement for boosting the ROI, and the budgeting roadmap that need to be followed. Data analytics reports also help pharmacy owners to detect suspicious patterns and check anomalies within their operations. Overall, reports lead to more informed decisions and increased revenues.

Necessary Integrations

An effective pharmacy management system must be able to integrate with other healthcare systems to facilitate the seamless flow and consistency of medical data. Let’s take a look at the commonest integrations needed. Interaction with a medical facility’s EHR enables the pharmacy solution to access the treatment records, as well as the medical history of patients, and integration with the logistics system helps in timely medicine distribution. Pharmacy software also needs to integrate with billing systems, hospital management systems (HMS), relevant external platforms, etc.

Dashboard

An in-built dashboard that provides actionable insights is of prime importance in a complex pharmacy management system. The presence of a dashboard helps pharmacy providers track the amount of medicines that are produced and the amount of wastage as well. Dashboards offer KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) through focused charts and reports. The KPI reports are based on the service provider’s key goals and display only those pieces of data that the pharmacy owner requires to fulfill a specific objective they have set. Therefore, this data not only boosts data analysis but also enhances business productivity and collaboration.

Support for SMS Alerts and Multi-store/Multi-location Management

The feature supporting SMS and notification allows pharmacists to get intimated whenever any patient’s medication is about to expire and they need a refill. Pharmacy staff then notifies patients via text messages before their prescriptions run out and patients can inform the pharmacist that they need a refill by just responding to the message received. Also, pharmacists can continuously stay in touch with consumers through status updates, thereby elevating the patient experience.

If pharmacy software offers multi-store and multi-location support, owners can manage the functioning of several stores at different locations. Pharmacy providers can view the exchange of electronic data concerning sales, returns, stock levels, etc., and also calculate the profits made by the entire pharmacy chain.

Medication Order Management

A pharmacy management system makes use of reordering points or the pharmacy-defined par levels for generating automatic orders. Thereafter, it calculates the number of items required for raising the stock level; it then adds the required quantity of items to the order. An EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) methodology is used for delivering the orders.

Managing Medication Expiries

Pharmacies suffer losses on account of expired drugs. Since pharmacies buy medication from whole sellers in bulk, every medicine has a different expiry date and MRP. Therefore, it becomes challenging for pharmacists to keep track of the expiry dates of each medicine. As a result, several drugs get expired while lying on the shelves of pharmacies without the knowledge of pharmacists and the pharmacy owners come to know about it only after the date of expiry, leading to medication wastage.

A pharmacy management system having the expiry management functionality notifies the owners about the expiry dates of medicines well in advance. This provides pharmacy owners the option to either sell those medicines to customers or return them back to the supplier. This way, wastage of medicines and financial losses can be avoided.

Management of Medication Re-ordering

The medication re-orders management feature provides critical insights that help pharmacists to stay informed and organized. Right from establishing re-order points, to finding out when to replenish the stock, and determining which product fares better in the inventory, this functionality does it all.

Pharmacists have to pre-define the maximum and minimum stock level margins, and then feed this data into the system. Now, the system alerts them whenever the stock level goes below the minimum point prompting them to reorder. It also suggests the best purchase option to the user, as per the programs offered by nearby suppliers, and recommends purchase schemes that offer super-saving options.

Module for User Management

A user management module helps pharmacy providers effortlessly set access-related preferences for different groups of users in order to reserve certain features for specific users. This includes restricting access to certain features for different audiences. The functions of this module can be segregated into two categories – Administrator User and Administrator Authentication User.

The Administrator User Module empowers the user to control the buying-selling process and carry out actions like viewing the medication stock available in the pharmacy; enlisting the medicines they need, tracking the pharmacy map, etc. This category of user management regulates the daily processing of stocks and sales.

The Administrator Authentication User Module allows the authenticated users to view every process including the transactions, sales reports, etc., manipulate the medication lists as well as stocks, track their everyday activities, and generate daily accounts using the multi-site software.

Inventory Management

The module for managing stocks in the inventory proves very handy to pharma owners. This feature integrates an EDI or APIs to order data. The offerings include classification of inventory products based on their categories, receiving as well as generating automatic orders, drug dispensing, managing out-of-stock products, and providing inventory counts and print labels. The software generates inventory reports that enable the suppliers and pharmacists to identify the best-selling products and figure out which drugs are affecting the distribution and ordering processes.

Sales Management Modules

Billing and accounting tasks in a pharmacy are often prone to errors. Nevertheless, an efficient pharmacy management system offering the sales management feature can optimize such tasks and eliminate the chances of errors. Here, the system automates the tasks of receiving orders, executing payments, and generating receipts; then add these tasks in reports.

The sales management module correctly matches the product codes to formulate their accurate prices, resulting in error-free billing. POS or point-of-sales module offers patients a wide range of options for making payments and completing returns.

Some billing modules offer electronic signatures and options for managing patient data and loyalties. And, if patient data is connected with billing histories, smart analytics utilizes this data for creating real-time financial reports and provides recommendations on improving patient experience.

Managing Prescriptions and Doctor Commissions

Difficulty in reading prescriptions by the patients and pharmacists has always been the source of confusion and errors in drug dispensing. The usage of a competent pharmacy management system resolves such woes as the data is directly entered by the doctor and electronically stored within the system.

The system also tracks pharmaceutical transactions to identify which practitioner has created a particular prescription or which medical representative is involved in a specific transaction with the pharmacy regarding medication sales. Such software instantly calculates the doctor/MR commission generated by the pharmacy for each medicine sold out and each prescription involved.

Compliance with Standard Regulations

Compliance with standard regulations mandated by authorities is essential for any pharmaceutical practice. So, a pharmacy management system must be compliant with the latest security practices and evaluation parameters mandated for activities like e-prescription generation, medication ordering, medicine refill, etc.

For instance, DSCSA (Drug Supply Chain Security Act) prohibits US pharmacies to dispense fake medicines and thus protects the citizens from counterfeit medication. Canadian pharmacies have to comply with the regulations defined by NAPRA and European pharma stores need to verify the authenticity of each medicine by employing a point-of-dispense validation system.

Bottomline:

I hope this post was informative and has given you a clear idea of which features to add while executing the pharmacy app development process. However, you need to pick the features as per your requirement and business objectives.

If you are a novice in the software development arena, it would be advisable to team up with skilled healthcare app developers or a reliable IT firm that has extensive experience in pharmacy app development. Your partner will take care of your pharmacy software development project right from app ideation to deployment.

Why Should Companies Adapt to AI?

 

 

AI, big data, and machine learning technologies are increasingly ingrained in our daily lives. It is no longer the future but rather a present reality. AI allows you to make decisions much quicker and more precisely than before. While it is still a novel idea, it already has many businesses uses.

It is altering the way things are done and making people more productive. In fact, 86% of CEOs say that AI is a mainstay in their workplaces as of 2021. It's becoming vital in unforeseen ways, from forecasting customer behavior to decreasing data entry.

Even if individuals have mixed opinions about AI, it is hard to deny that it provides us with enormous prospects. It is particularly true from a financial perspective since commercial enterprises and government agencies are interested in this field.

Before considering why companies should adapt to AI, let's look at what artificial intelligence is.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the foundation for simulating human thinking functions by developing and deploying algorithms in a dynamic computing environment. Computers are pretty good at evaluating these algorithms and coming up with the best decision. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are the core future of commercial decision-making.

Machine learning algorithms are used to build and deploy AI. ML refers to the tools and techniques used to create a model to identify patterns. Machine learning model operations are required in businesses where multiple models are deployed.

Developing, analyzing, changing, and implementing predictive models are part of machine learning model operations. It keeps track of inspections, pauses, routines, statistics, and versioning to ensure repeat testing. It makes the machine learning lifecycle so much simpler. 

All modeling operations attempt to make ML models as efficient and productive as possible. It's worth noting that we're dealing with two different aspects of machine learning model maintenance. AI is used in various domains, enabling our lives to be more accessible than ever before. Artificial intelligence can aid any company in the following ways:

• Process management optimization
• Using market research to get insights
• Including models in the manufacturing process
• Involvement of stakeholders in the findings

Benefits AI Can Provide to Companies

1. Improves Customer Service

Chat will have surpassed all other customer support platforms by the next few years. By automating client contacts, AI-driven chatbots enable businesses to deliver 24/7 customer assistance. AI advancements have enabled bots to pick up on conversational nuances and precisely imitate human language.

AI-enabled chatbots can bridge customer service voids for small organizations that don't have the funds or human resources to hire a customer care staff.

AI can also help in customized alerts to specific users. Personalization allows it to be tailored to particular users, assuring that they obtain the most suitable response at the right time.

Machine learning techniques are now being used in SEO services too. It is used to analyze the purpose behind query phrase picks and the content of queries.

2. Save Time and Resources

Companies can benefit from AI's increased efficiency and production because manual processes take time and cost. Automation has substantially impacted all corporate sectors by reducing repetitive and tedious processes and conserving time and resources. Processes include:

• Operate robotic lines in manufacturing
• Monitor warehouse balances
• Process payments
• Respond to customer queries

AI can complete jobs at a rate and level that no person can achieve. When humans are not obliged to execute repetitive and tedious jobs, they may focus on higher-value activities that machines and computers can do.

Once the initial startup expenses are covered, automating activities results in fewer labor hours, less paperwork, and improved customer satisfaction. As a result, you'll be able to increase your profitability and reallocate cash to produce more revenue.

3. Helps in HR Processes

The selection process is another place where artificial intelligence may enhance productivity. AI can accelerate the applicant assessment process by automating filtering calls and examining applicant submissions. AI also aids in the elimination of human bias in pre-employment checks, which is a positive thing for employee engagement.

Human resources frequently manage interior employee assets. According to the Harvard Business Review, internal services for addressing problems in IT and personnel regulations can be made easier with artificial intelligence.

One of the causes is that artificial intelligence may be used to drive natural language search for discovering answers to specific questions. AI improves each time, allowing it to respond to requests more rapidly and correctly.

4. Improves Cybersecurity

Artificial intelligence is an attempt to mimic human understanding. In the sphere of cybersecurity, it has immense promise. AI platforms can be trained to provide threat warnings, discover potential malware, and protect critical data for companies.

It can be used to detect cyber dangers and potentially dangerous behaviors. Conventional software solutions cannot keep up with a large amount of new malware released each week. Therefore, this is an area where artificial intelligence can help.

Systems are trained to identify malware and execute predictive modeling using sophisticated algorithms. It can provide information on new anomalies, cyberattacks, and countermeasures. After all, hackers are subject to the same trends as the general public, so what's trendy with them shifts regularly.

5. Easy Insights

A startling amount of companies have yet to tap into their data riches. Companies usually have all the information about the consumers but don't know what to do with it or draw essential insights.

AI helps firms make intelligent, strategic business decisions by combining large volumes of complex data, analyzing it, recognizing patterns, and uncovering insight.

For example, AI is being used in the financial services industry to organize, categorize, and pattern massive volumes of economic data. Its goal is to deliver more personalized and customized advice to clients. In a few minutes, AI can process vast amounts of data. 

Final Thoughts

You may have observed that all of the highlighted advantages are rather broad. Different companies in various industries may use AI to achieve multiple goals in practice. AI may increase efficiency, reliability, and customer support and assist a firm in developing by spotting patterns and maximizing sales prospects.

Another benefit of artificial intelligence in the company is marketing personalization. Algorithms can spot interconnections and repeating patterns in the behavior of prospective and actual users. Based on this information, making particular offers for certain persons makes it feasible.

The list could continue indefinitely. However, the real benefits of AI are not contained in what most people believe in. So, it's crucial to figure out how it might benefit your company specifically.

Would like to build an impeccable AI/ML solution for your business? Well then, the Machine learning Services offered by Biz4Solutions are worth a try! Our team of tech nerds has the proficiency, experience, and expertise required to tailor highly functional AI/ML apps/solutions for clients from diverse industry verticals.

A Guide To Create The Best Fitness App

The fitness industry is flourishing with the growing awareness regarding health and fitness. Consumers are driven towards fitness apps for their ease of use and personalized approach. Many apps have made their way into the market as the best fitness apps on the pretext of offering personalized diet and exercise regimes. The global fitness app market size which was estimated to value around $1.1 Billion in the year 2021 is expected to grow at a steady rate of 17.6% CAGR between the years 2022 and 2030.

Fitness providers are constantly looking for opportunities to monetize their offerings. Fitness apps are the perfect solution for fitness providers to reach a large consumer segment on a global level. With the help of healthcare app development companies, developing a fitness app has become very easy today.

Types of Fitness Apps

Anyone planning to launch a fitness app must first decide on the kind of app they want to associate with. Let us take a look at the different types of fitness apps.

Fitness tracking app

Such apps can be integrated with smartphones to track the calories with every fitness exercise. Many apps such as Fitbit and Nokia Health have already made their mark in this segment. These apps also track fitness goals and send reminders to the users to keep them on track.

Fitness workout apps

Workout apps are best for newbies unaware of the different methods and exercises to achieve their physical goals. Many apps offer 5-7 minutes quick workout routines which can be followed anytime even in a busy schedule.

Social fitness app

This app will empower you with connectivity. You can share your workout details and goals with your friends on social media and stay motivated. You can create and participate in challenges to keep up your interest in a workout.

Competitive fitness app

Many fitness apps are dedicated to competitions. It can be about cycling, running, or any other competitive workout. You can participate in the competitions and share your goals.

Altruistic fitness apps

Such apps are associated with charities and causes. It has tie-up with different corporate sponsors who donate a certain amount for a cause for every milestone achieved by a participant.

How to Create a Fitness App?

Finalize the application type

The very first step is to decide the kind of app you want to create. Who should it cater to and what are the issues that it can solve. Conduct market research to understand your target market and the scope of introducing an application into it. Brainstorm ideas about the app and its USP.

Choose a monetization model

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Now that you have the basic idea of the app in mind, choose a monetization model. The monetization model is the business model using which you are going to earn revenue from the application. You have different types to choose from:

1. Paid apps: The user has to pay to use such apps and the price varies for different platforms, remote devices, and content.
2. Freemium: The basic features of such apps can be used for free. The user has to pay to use the premium features.
3. In-app purchases: The user can download and use the app for free. They are motivated to make some purchases on the app such as a diet plan or some health drink.
4. Ads and sponsored content: The app company sells the space on their apps to third parties for their advertisements and sponsored content, and earns on a pay-per-click model.

Decide the basic features

 You have to decide which features you are going to offer on your fitness app. Some of the common features are:

• User profile

This profile option captures the current physical characteristics and goals of the user. The users can check their profile to check their weight, body dimensions, and other details along with the transformation they have been through.

• Goal tracking

This option allows the user to see the upcoming fitness milestones and the actions required from their end. Accordingly, they can plan their daily activity.

• Social sharing

You can boost the morale of the users by allowing them to share their daily activities and goals on social media.

• Reminders

Reminders can help the users in getting notified about the workouts required to reach the nearest fitness milestone. There are many other fitness features as well, that you can take up once your basic version is up.

Develop the prototype

The prototype allows you to materialize your visualizations of the app. Multiple wireframes can be created to arrive at the basic design that houses all the features of the application. Create the basic version of your app and keep it ready to test.

Design

Once a successful prototype is developed, it is ready to enter the final design. You can hire a UX design team to create the best fitness app designs. Pay heed to the user experience as it's primarily going to decide the success of your app.

Decide on Tech Stack

This is the time you need to choose the tech stack. The technology you choose should support all the features, scalability, multiple operating systems, and remote devices. Again, you can think about making a native app, cross-platform app, progressive web app, or any other type of fitness app. The technology will be responsible for the cross-platform compatibility and responsiveness of the fitness app. The focus should be on making higher penetration in the target market.

Develop and Test

The development and testing cycle starts from here. You can start adding changes in design, and code, and then test each addition. From User testing, unit testing, to functional testing, every type of testing is important.

 1. Check the security and compliance

Run security tests to ensure that the fitness app is secure and there are no chances of data theft. Find out if you need a license or approval to run the app.

 2. Release and support

This is the last step. You have to release the fitness app and make sure it performs. Check the app performance using the mobile analytics tools. Monitor the reviews and feedback. Keep making the changes and modifications in the app and release it as a different version.

How Much Will Fitness App Development Cost?

Developing a fitness app may cost you between $25000 and $60000. No fixed amount can be stated. It depends on the different factors including features to be developed, design, management, testing, and quality assurance. All of these elements are going to cost you. A customized app will cost more than an off-the-shelf app.

Conclusion

Fitness app development can be challenging if the development is not well planned. You have to first decide the type of fitness app you want to create. Then chalk out the entire development plan in steps. The cost of app development is also important. Keep it in consideration while finalizing the different app development steps. You can escape this step of estimating cost and finalizing development by hiring a healthcare app development company. You can contact us to create the fitness app from scratch. We have an in-house design team that can provide you with the best UX designs. As a leading software development company, we are dedicated to developing highly responsive and user-friendly apps. Contact us today to develop the best fitness app in your budget.

Blockchain: Data Security solution for every Industry

With technology creeping into our professional and personal lives, data security has become of paramount importance. Statistics suggest that about 6 billion confidential files have been stolen just between the years 2017 and 2018. We again seek technology to solve the issues related to data security, which have been aroused by technology itself. Blockchain cybersecurity is the perfect solution. Blockchain development has solved many other industry problems related to business transactions. It provides greater data security with strong encryptions, minimal vulnerabilities, and effective data ownership. It is now being used across every industry including food industry, financial services sector, healthcare, oil& gas industry, and shipping & logistics. Every industry that deals with data and transaction is looking forward to Blockchain as a solution for data security.

What is Blockchain?

Blockchain is shared ledger that records and tracks the transaction in any business network. It also tracks the tangible and intangible assets to ensure the authenticity of every transaction. It is a fast and transparent platform of information, stored on an immutable ledger that can only be accessed by authorized members of that business network. The entire platform is very transparent and members have the access to the information of end-to-end transactions. One single person cannot make changes to the Blockchain system, making it tamper-proof.

Characteristics of Blockchain

The use of Blockchain technology in multiple industries is primarily because of its security-based features. Key characteristics of Blockchain are:

1. Digital ledger: Copies of all the information are shared with all the members. Participants validate information independently without any central authority. Any error by one member at one node does affect the other nodes in the network.
2. Digital platform: Completely digitized framework eliminates the need for manual paperwork which is susceptible to errors and damages.
3. Chronology: Information about every transaction is stored in blocks and each block is connected in a chronological chain. Thus, the system of records is maintained with a time-stamp.
4. Cryptographic security: The blocks are cryptographically sealed, making them resistant to edit, delete, and copy actions, creating a high level of trusted business network.
5. Consensus–based: Any transaction requires unanimous approval of all the parties of the network. This makes Blockchain a very transparent framework.

How Blockchain Improves Data-Security

Data security is one of the leading Blockchain use cases in every sector. The distributed ledger is based on a dispersed public key infrastructure model that secures every stored data.

Data encryption

All the information of a transaction is stored in blocks using cryptography. Every participant of the network is given a private key to be used as a digital signature. Each block is time-stamped and contains the cryptographic hash of the previous block. These hash values are unique to maintain the integrity of the system. Any alternation in the record makes this personal signature invalid and the peer network gets the notification that there has been an undesired altercation, raising a red flag for the malpractice. Every data in a transaction is very secure. This security makes unauthorized data modification very difficult.

Decentralization data storage system

The decentralized system makes Blockchain independent of association with any centralized system or organization. It runs on a peer-to-peer network without involving any central server. This reduces the dependency and trust on the other members of the network. This also cuts down any chances of any one member getting authority over the system. The creation and storage of any data in Blockchain is only dependent on the tamper-proof technology and not individuals.

Enhanced trust with smart contracts

Smart contracts in Blockchain ensure that the programs only run after the predetermined conditions are met. The execution can be automated to ensure no third-party interference. This increases the trust in the system and the transaction. The contracts and assets are tested using access control, business logic, authentication to instill greater confidence in the participants.

Data portability

Blockchain offers decentralized identifiers that help the users in retaining control of their identity. They can move their digital identity from one blockchain system to other. The user can reuse the uploaded data at their discretion. The user can directly connect with the service provider and address the issues of ‘switching costs’ in data portability. Blockchain is a perfect solution for personal data management where the user can change the location of the data without losing its integrity.

Secure Communication with Blockchain

All other network communication frameworks have community interactions with the dependency on intermediary institutions which is susceptible to failure. A Blockchain based-framework offers communication security with data encryption, distributed ledger, smart contracts, and other security features. There are many other security features such as pattern-matching schemes to detect inappropriate files. Every transaction and asset including data is time-stamped to trace its chronology. Blockchain is about a higher level of authentication, non-repudiation and integrity.

Blockchain Security and Implementation Tips

Blockchain framework is of different types and their application depends on the infrastructure of the organization. Certain factors need to be chalked out before choosing a Blockchain framework.

• The governance model of the organization
• The data for each block
• Relevant regulatory requirements and methods to meet them
• Identity and keys management
• Disaster recovery plan
• Minimal security posture for the participants
• Mechanism to resolve block collisions in Blockchain

The risks of the Blockchain security model need to be identified to reap maximum advantage. A risk model should be prepared to address all the challenges in governance, business, process, and technology. Next, a threat model should be prepared to evaluate the threats to the desired blockchain security framework. The security controls to manage these risks and threats should be established to start with the implementation of private Blockchain.

Conclusion

There are certain challenges that Blockchain faces with its implementation across the complicated internet-based infrastructure. However, it cannot be denied that it can serve as the standard solution for standing cyber security issues. Blockchain has immense capability to mitigate cyber security vulnerabilities. The IT decision-makers should keep inculcating the appropriate and latest developments in Blockchain to get the best results from its implementation. They also have to keep a tab on the industry and application framework for proper implementation of Blockchain. We are one of the established software development companies with long list of clientele for Blockchain application. We can help you in building the best Blockchain application for your enterprise. Contact us today to own a robust and sustainable blockchain application.

All-inclusive Guide on Hiring Healthcare App Developers!

The ever-increasing patient expectations, the emergence of innovative technologies, and tough competition amongst healthcare service providers have fuelled up the need for healthcare digitalization. And, the rapid adoption of smart medical equipment and software solutions by medical facilities has given rise to the trend of hiring healthcare app developers.

However, hiring developers for tailoring a suitable app/solution for your medical practice is not as easy as it sounds. While the right solution created by skilled developers can bring a lot to the table and boost your ROI; the wrong development methodology or a single developmental error can lead to huge disappointments, costly rework, and heavy losses. Hence, you need to choose your healthcare app development team with care.

This post provides you with all-inclusive guidance on hiring the right set of developers for your upcoming healthcare app development project.

Healthcare App Development Strategy: In-house Team or Freelancers or Outsourcing Agency?

In-house Team

If you plan to engage an in-house team of developers to build your healthcare software system, coordination will be outstanding. But you will face issues like high infrastructure & administrative costs, a limited talent pool, and loads of time and effort on team management.

Freelancers

Hiring freelancers may be the cheapest and most convenient option as it rules out any hiring hassles. Nevertheless, freelance developers are not so reliable and are likely to back out of the project mid-way, leaving you in deep waters.

Outsourcing Agency

Outsourcing software developers or development companies is the most popular and profitable approach as it comes with countless benefits. This approach allows you to choose from a wide range of talented healthcare app developers from across the globe, flexible hiring models like the pay-as-you-go option, more experienced teams, end-to-end product development cycles, and many more. Moreover, the Healthcare provider can entrust the IT development responsibility to partner firms and focus on their core industrial operations. Here, you get an entire development team or independent developers depending on your requirement.

This approach too has minor downsides like communication woes, time differences, and language barriers. But these issues can be easily avoided if you pick an experienced healthcare app development company with a good track record, maintain transparent communication throughout the development process, and enter into contractual agreements beforehand.

Hiring Healthcare App developers: Generic Factors to Consider

Background Research

Check the credentials, previous work history, and client feedback of the outsourcing vendor agency or healthcare app developers you have shortlisted. This can be done by visiting the software company’s website and checking their offerings, case studies, client reviews, etc.

Renowned online business listing platforms like Clutch, GoodFirms, etc. can also provide you with important information about the expertise of a healthcare app development vendor agency. These platforms display the profiles of numerous software companies mentioning their niche, client testimonials, awards and recognitions, project references, etc. Online platforms like Upwork provide information on thousands of skilled freelance developers and agencies around the globe.

Technical Expertise Validation

Extensive experience, innovative ability, talent, expertise, and the right skills as per your requirements, are the necessary prerequisites to look for in healthcare developers. You can prepare a questionnaire for validating their technical skills.

Agreement on SDLC and Signing of NDA

If you are hiring outsourced assistance, clarification on the SDLC and signing an NDA is essential during the project discussion stage.

You need to clarify which SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle) model will be used, the experience & expertise of developers who will be allocated to your project, and the tentative turnaround time for each stage of the SLDC. Usually, an agile development methodology is preferred over other models as it has turned out to be the most productive strategy around the world so far.

Signing service level agreements like an NDA (non-disclosure agreement), with the healthcare app development company or developers to whom you are outsourcing the project, is mandatory as per the HIPAA guidelines. An NDA is also crucial as this contract seals and legalizes the partnership agreement. You must also discuss and agree upon certain factors like payment timelines, the token amount, and payment terms and conditions prior to the commencement of the project.

Must-have Skillsets to promote Healthcare Interoperability

Semantic vocabularies

Semantic vocabularies are necessary to maintain the syntactic standards needed for seamlessly interpreting clinical data, and so, healthcare app developers must have some prior experience in working with the commonly used semantic vocabularies including LONIC, ICD9/10, SNOMED-CT, and RxNorm.

Healthcare Integrations

Interoperability between various apps, systems, and devices is a crucial prerequisite to regulating clinical workflow in the healthcare environment. And, interoperability can be successfully achieved by integrating frameworks in the right manner. Hence, healthcare app developers must be well versed in the frequently used medical frameworks such as Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise (IHE) and HITSP (Healthcare Information Technology Standards Panel).

Developers must also possess knowledge of the popular interoperability standards adopted in the realm of Healthcare technology. The most popular interoperability standard is the level- 7 2. X; other notable ones include HL7 v3CDA, ANSIX12n5010, DICOM, and NCPDP SCRIPT.

Necessary Technical Knowledge and Skills

Third-party Integrations

Large-scale healthcare services often need to partner with third-party providers and utilize their solution platform to efficiently manage their entire workflow. The most commonly used third-party integrations include in-app chat, payment APIs, in-app calling, etc. If these integrations are not executed properly during mobile app development, the app’s UX gets adversely affected. As such, the healthcare app developers whom you pick for tailoring an app or solution must be thorough with third-party integration standards like SOAP, HL7 FHIR, and REST framework.

API Development Capabilities

Most healthcare app projects involve API development. API components need to be added for authenticating a device to gain access to the central patients’ repository.

So, the healthcare app developers must possess sound knowledge of commonly used SQL databases such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc., and NoSQL databases such as Apache Cassandra, MongoDB, etc. Developers must have expertise in developing the RESTful API, REST (Representational State Transfer) being the standard development practice. The development team should be able to build effective API endpoints and create highly workable rules for API requests and API responses. Programmers also need to know the standard practices used for ensuring API security like encryption, the usage of safe API gateways, etc.

Cutting-edge Technologies

Healthcare app developers must have the necessary expertise in working with modern technologies. The most relevant technologies employed for building a healthcare app are IoT, Blockchain, and Artificial Intelligence.

IoT automates the workflow of a healthcare facility, enables remote health tracking, improves interoperability, and facilitates medical data exchange. It also drives the functioning of smart devices like wearables that are an integral part of telehealth apps and remote patient monitoring. 

AI has entered the healthcare industry as machine learning algorithms are increasingly being used for ushering in advanced automation and improving the efficiency and accuracy of healthcare functioning. Blockchain technology ensures security while health record sharing helps research scholars in genetic coding, and improves the efficiency of medicine supply management.

Essential Soft Skills for Healthcare App developers

1. Revenue Cycle Workflow

Healthcare app developers have to provide a clear picture to their clients on the working of the revenue cycle workflow. So, developers must have extensive knowledge about how the elements in a healthcare organization’s revenue cycle workflow function.  These elements include payment models, billing schedules, denials workflows, etc.

2. Capability to guide the Client in Planning Productive Strategies

The development team is expected to guide the client through the planning process. For this reason, the professionals should possess sound interpersonal skills like being able to comprehend dependencies, interoperability requirements, etc., and strong communication skills to convey those requirements effectively.

Recommendation on implementing effective app monetization strategies is of utmost importance as this will add value to your investment. Developers should be able to suggest the most reliable and productive monetizing strategies for optimum benefits.

 3. Awareness of Healthcare App Security Standards and Regulatory Compliances

The privacy and security of data are of utmost importance as the healthcare industry processes sensitive patient data and medical information. Therefore, security measures need to be adopted during the software development process itself. So, the developers must be aware of secure coding practices and the latest data encryption tools like next-generation firewalls, antivirus, etc. The other standard practices that developers need to know are implementing multi-factor authentication along with password protection, adopting measures to eliminate security threats like broken authentication, injection, etc., and incorporating “Compliance-as-Code” for conducting security and compliance testing in the CD/CI pipeline.

Furthermore, healthcare apps and solutions need to comply with several standard regulations like HIPAA, etc. mandated by the US government and other regulatory authorities. Developers must be well versed in these standard regulations so that they are able to effectively implement these during app building.

Bottomline:

The aforesaid practices are winning strategies for hiring Healthcare app developers. You need to team up with the right software development firm that will deliver your project timely without compromising on the product quality, identify issues instantly, and resolve bugs at once. Also, look for developers who have the necessary knowledge, understanding, technical expertise, and experience as per your project needs.

So, it is advisable to pick an IT agency that will take care of the entire healthcare app product lifecycle starting from app ideation to maintenance post-deployment.

All-inclusive Insights on the Metaverse Technology and its Future Potential!

Virtual reality has been one of the most fascinating contributions of the technological boom in the past decade. Metaverse, the most significant emerging tech trend of modern times, is set to elevate this experience to the next level. How about an immersive 3D digital experience that combines multiple virtual and physical worlds? Well, this is exactly what Metaverse promises. The concept is being considered the future iteration of the internet and will enable users to meet, socialize, play games, and work with other users within 3D spaces.

The term Metaverse was conceptualized by Neal Stephenson through his science fiction novel “Snow Crash” written in 1992. The novel envisaged that individuals can escape from the real world into a virtual world called Metaverse with the help of digital avatars and explore this virtual world to the fullest. Decades later, with the advent of innovative technologies like AR, VR, AI, ML, Blockchain, etc. it became possible to convert this fascinating concept into reality. Several brands like Facebook, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Decentraland have started to explore this theory over the past couple of years.

The Metaverse technology grabbed the spotlight and became a topic of keen interest recently, ever since Facebook changed its brand name to Meta in October 2021 and planned to focus on exploring Metaverse in full swing. This post speaks about the Metaverse technology in detail and provides glimpses of its future prospects.

How does a Metaverse work?

Metaverse is a virtual digital 3D universe formed by merging various kinds of virtual spaces. Users can enter this digital universe using their virtual identity in the form of digital avatars and can move across various metaverse spaces for shopping, hanging out, or meeting friends, just as they do in the real world. The only difference is users can enjoy immersive experiences from the comfort of their homes. Simply put, activities that happen within isolated environments in the real world will now happen virtually within the metaverse.

Examples:

For example, if a user taking a virtual tour within a Metaverse spots a store and shops there via immersive commerce, the order that they had placed will be delivered to the address provided. Other instances of Metaverse experience include participation in virtual social events, purchasing digital land & building virtual houses, joining fellow viewers of a virtual rock band concert, paying visits to virtual museums to view latest works of art, immersive learning through virtual classrooms, etc. Businesses can leverage this technology by carrying out interactions with digital humans for business purposes like employee onboarding, sales, providing customer services, and many more. Users can also utilize a metaverse for creating, sharing, and trading assets or experiences.

Unique Traits of Metaverse

The Metaverse is unique in its own way. It is an interoperable network comprising 3D virtual worlds rendered in real-time. An unlimited number of users can experience these virtual eco-systems persistently and synchronously. During this experience, a user’s individuality is maintained. Moreover, a metaverse is massively scaled and ensures the continuity of data like objects, identities, entitlements, interactions, payments, history, etc.

Who owns the Metaverse?

The virtual space offered by Metaverse is device-independent and collective, no single vendor owns the space. The transactions within a Metaverse are made using NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and digital currencies

Technologies that empower Metaverse

The functioning of a Metaverse requires a combination of several cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Blockchain, an AR cloud, IoT (Internet of Things), spatial technologies, HMDs (Head Mounted Displays), 3D reconstruction. Apart from these avant-garde technologies, Metaverse will also need the support of software tools, apps, platforms, hardware, and content generated by users.

Blockchain will validate value transfer, credibility, and data storage within a Metaverse; AR will enable 3D visualization of objects, interaction in real-time, and merging of the virtual and real worlds; while VR will provide users with a sensory experience like the physical reality. However, while AR implementation needs only a camera-enabled device, VR requires more expensive equipment like multi-modal screens and HMDs. Metaverse technology is more likely to employ a combination of AR and VR popularly called extended reality.

Integration of AI, ML, and IoT will facilitate crucial functions like limitless interactions and seamless integrations of data.

3D reconstruction helps in creating virtual spaces that are realistic and looks natural leading to the formation of a digital eco-system that is almost like a real world. With the help of special 3D cameras, one can render accurate models of objects, buildings, and physical locations. These models are 3D photorealistic. Computers then process the 4K HD photos captured and the 3D spatial data for generating a virtual duplicate or digital twin of the real physical worlds that can be experienced by the users.

The Current State of Metaverse Implementation: Use Cases

Today, there exist several individual Metaverses that have limited features. Presently, the gaming sector provides the closest metaverse experiences as compared to other industrial domains.

Decentraland, a start-up created a unique virtual world for its website users in the year 2017. This virtual world has its own economy as well as currency. It integrates social elements with NFTs (NFTs represent cosmetic collectibles), cryptocurrencies, and virtual real estate. The players of this Blockchain game participate in active governance on the platform.

Microsoft launched mixed-reality smart glasses named HoloLens in 2016. The video game Roblox also provides non-gaming services like virtual meet-ups and concerts. Facebook, is in the process of creating a social platform powered by virtual reality. Furioos, created by Unity, streams entirely interactive 3D environments in real-time. Here, the environments are rendered by Unity’s GPU server infrastructure that automatically scales itself. SecondLive offers a virtual 3D eco-system that is being utilized for learning, socializing, and business. This metaverse also provides an NFT marketplace where collectibles can be swapped.

What does the Future of Metaverse look like?

In the near future, Metaverse is expected to consolidate all isolated immersive virtual eco-systems and merge them into a unified whole. The outcome will be a single huge-sized all-inclusive Metaverse just like the internet offering various websites that can be accessed using a single browser. For instance, a user working in a virtual office can conduct a mixed-reality meeting using an Oculus VR headset and can indulge in a Blockchain-powered game after finishing work. The user can then manage his/her finances and portfolio inside the same metaverse.

Metaverse will transcend beyond social media platforms and virtual gaming. The metaverses are expected to become more multi-dimensional in the near future owing to the usage of VR glasses and headsets. Using these VR gadgets users can, in reality, stroll around physical spaces for exploring 3D spaces. Metaverses have the potential to facilitate decentralized governance, establishing the digital identity of an individual, remote employee workstations, etc.

Challenges likely to arise while implementing a Metaverse

Tech experts have predicted certain challenges that are likely to be encountered by a Metaverse. The major challenges include controlling the privacy of users and businesses and authenticating the identity of individuals who are moving around the virtual world disguised as digital avatars. As a result, unscrupulous persons or even bots can explore the metaverse under the disguise of an individual; for scamming other users or damaging the reputation of business brands. Also usage of AR and VR with the camera can lead to data breach of personal information.

Concluding Thoughts:

Metaverse is a collective virtual open space developed by integrating virtually enhanced digital as well as physical reality, known for offering immersive experiences to users. Although this concept is in its infancy and has a long way to go for reaching stability, it possesses an immense potential to disrupt the AR/VR experience altogether. Several biggies including Facebook are heavily investing and working relentlessly to make this concept a big success in the coming years. Metaverse is expected to offer decentralized, persistent, interoperable, and collaborative business opportunities and models that will help companies to elevate digital business to unprecedented heights.