Tech - MyVenturePad.com https://myventurepad.com/category/tech/ Sat, 18 Nov 2023 19:56:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.1 SMS vs. Email Marketing: Which is More Effective for Mobile Apps? https://myventurepad.com/sms-vs-email-marketing-which-is-more-effective-for-mobile-apps/ Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:05:03 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24224 In the world of mobile app marketing, communication channels play a pivotal role in engaging users and driving conversions. Among the array of available options, SMS (Short Message Service) and email marketing stand out as two powerful tools, each with its strengths and effectiveness for reaching mobile app users. However, determining which avenue—SMS or email—is […]

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In the world of mobile app marketing, communication channels play a pivotal role in engaging users and driving conversions. Among the array of available options, SMS (Short Message Service) and email marketing stand out as two powerful tools, each with its strengths and effectiveness for reaching mobile app users. However, determining which avenue—SMS or email—is more effective for mobile app marketing requires a nuanced understanding of their respective advantages, user preferences, and the context in which they are employed.

SMS Marketing: Instantaneous Reach and High Engagement

SMS marketing holds a distinct advantage due to its immediacy and high open rates. Text messages boast an almost unparalleled open rate of around 98%, making them a compelling choice for delivering time-sensitive information or urgent notifications to app users. The concise nature of SMS—limited to 160 characters per message—ensures that the content is easily digestible and has a higher chance of capturing the recipient’s attention promptly.

Additionally, SMS messages have a higher likelihood of being read within minutes of delivery compared to emails. This immediacy is particularly beneficial for app developers or marketers aiming to convey time-sensitive offers, reminders, or exclusive deals, driving instant actions from users.

Moreover, SMS marketing is highly effective for engaging with users who prefer brief, direct communication. It’s a powerful tool for sending personalized messages based on user behavior within the app, such as abandoned cart reminders, appointment confirmations, or order status updates. By utilizing SMS, app developers can establish a direct line of communication with users, fostering a sense of immediacy and relevance that often leads to increased engagement and conversions.

Email Marketing: Versatility and Detailed Content Delivery

Contrarily, email marketing offers a broader canvas for delivering comprehensive content and fostering long-term engagement. While emails may have a lower immediate open rate compared to SMS, they make up for it with their versatility and ability to convey more detailed information. With no character limitations, emails allow marketers to craft rich content, including images, videos, and lengthy descriptions, offering a more immersive and informative experience for app users.

Moreover, emails are suitable for delivering various types of content, such as newsletters, product updates, educational materials, and personalized recommendations. They are an excellent channel for nurturing long-term relationships with app users by providing value through insightful content, thereby increasing brand loyalty and user retention.

Email marketing also allows for better segmentation and targeting options. Marketers can tailor emails based on user preferences, behavior, or demographics, ensuring that the content delivered is more relevant to the recipient. This targeted approach enhances the chances of conversion by offering users content that aligns with their interests and needs.

Choosing the Right Strategy: Context and User Preferences

When determining whether SMS or email marketing is more effective for mobile apps, considering user preferences and the context of communication is crucial. While SMS excels in delivering immediate and concise messages, email marketing offers versatility and the capacity for detailed content delivery.

The choice between SMS and email marketing—or a combination of both—should be guided by the specific goals of the app marketing campaign. For time-sensitive promotions, alerts, or personalized offers requiring instant attention, SMS might be the preferred choice due to its high open rates and immediacy. Conversely, for delivering more elaborate content, nurturing long-term relationships, and providing in-depth information, email marketing might be more effective.

Moreover, it’s essential to consider user preferences. Some users might prefer the convenience and brevity of SMS, while others might appreciate the comprehensive content and visuals offered through emails. Understanding the target audience and their communication preferences is instrumental in devising an effective marketing strategy for mobile apps.

Utilizing Twilio Alternatives for Effective Communication

While Twilio stands as a prevalent choice in SMS and voice communication platforms, delving into alternatives beyond Twilio might unveil tailored solutions, offering expanded functionalities or budget-friendly options, ideal for diverse marketing requirements.

Platforms like Plivo, Nexmo, or MessageBird offer similar services to Twilio, providing APIs for SMS, voice, and other communication channels. Assessing these alternatives based on features, pricing, scalability, and customer support can help businesses find the most suitable platform for their mobile app marketing endeavors.

In conclusion, both SMS and email marketing possess unique strengths and effectiveness for engaging mobile app users. Understanding their distinct advantages, aligning with user preferences, and considering the context of communication are vital in leveraging these channels to maximize user engagement, retention, and conversions for mobile apps. Integrating Twilio alternatives can further enhance the effectiveness of communication strategies, empowering businesses to reach their marketing objectives more efficiently.

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AI-Powered Tutoring in Engineering: Personalized Guidance for Student Success https://myventurepad.com/ai-powered-tutoring-in-engineering-personalized-guidance-for-student-success/ Thu, 09 Nov 2023 15:41:46 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24214 The world of education and career-building has undergone a seismic shift ever since AI has re-entered the technological revolution. A key enhancement has been the use of AI tutoring in education. STEM subjects have also seen a significant boost from it, with AI tutoring in engineering. This has opened endless possibilities for engineering students, who […]

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The world of education and career-building has undergone a seismic shift ever since AI has re-entered the technological revolution. A key enhancement has been the use of AI tutoring in education. STEM subjects have also seen a significant boost from it, with AI tutoring in engineering. This has opened endless possibilities for engineering students, who can use AI in theoretical learning and practical application of their skills in their education.  

For students, it has created a plethora of opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills. AI has also piqued students’ interest and new ways to leverage AI for career development have also emerged. AI tutoring has also become relevant in the many different aspects of individual learning and organizational development. With the advent of bootcamps that can help increase one’s scope of career building, specialized programs like software engineering bootcamps have also garnered attention. 

Since AI can provide personalized and extremely tailored learning solutions, it has become imperative to understand how one can venture into understanding AI tutoring as a student. 

Diversity Challenge: Not only do students come from varied backgrounds, the scope of experiential learning is also a challenge since there are different expectations from different students when it comes to education. An article in the Harvard Business Review pointed out that data gathered from chatbots could be used to create “new innovative services and programs to further improve students’ educational experiences.” 

Online Resources: AI tutoring tools can equip learners with new-age skills and cover a variety of resources with a personalized approach to learning. For example, TensorFlow is a “Python-friendly open-source library”. It lets developers employ Tensorboard to create graphic visualization and construct neural networks.  

For those interested in Machine Learning Engineering, another such tool is AutoML that helps to resolve real-world problems using the techniques of machine learning. 

Practical Solutions: Engineers are taught to provide lasting real-world solutions, and hence need a lot of hands-on practice to enhance their skill set. This can be done by using AI to simulate situations based on problem-based learning, wherein students can team up with their peers to analyze, understand, and solve problems based on practical scenarios. 

This can help incorporate their learning with inter-personal skills and develop solutions in a time-limited high-intensity setting to prepare them better for their career. One such example is found in Universidad Polite´cnica de Madrid wherein students visualize and create the process of designing, manufacturing, and validating unique medical devices and test their economic viability. 

Unlike institutional learning, experiential learning focuses on the cross-vertical collaboration of various stakeholders like financial investors, technical ideators, creators, governmental agencies, etc., so it becomes imperative that students have a holistic understanding of each of these stakeholders to provide holistic solutions. 

Educator Support: Educators are not only tasked with teaching, but also with assessing students, ensuring optimum learning and troubleshooting, and creating an environment of learning that is conducive to a diverse pool of students. 

AI models can be used to create mock question papers with a steady randomization of questions from a big pool, they can be used to track and identify patterns in student learning based on their assessment results and help bridge these gaps with learning facilitated by educators. Thus, AI can help in the effective management of administrative tasks which can in turn enable educators to spend more time and effort into creating learner solutions more efficiently. 

 The scope of using generative AI in engineering is endless. It can range from writing code to analyze data, to designing a product and multiple iterations to include various concerns. Generative AI can effectively utilize the power of LLMs and generate outputs that can meet their individual needs. 

Engineering needs form the very foundation of our society. Software engineering is the backbone of our technological needs, civil and mechanical engineering is the foundation of our society, biochemical engineering has enabled us to live long, healthy lives, and so on. Thus, it has not only become imperative, but also birthed the need for engineering students to employ AI into helping find innovative and sensitive solutions that have room for iterations and adjustments. 

A student’s motivation is multiplied when they succeed at practice problems and can be adversely impacted if a student does not succeed. 

Learners not only come from different backgrounds, but they can also have different learning curves and hence have different learning needs. However, being put in the same learning environment does not cater to everyone’s needs. A cookie-cutter approach to learning leaves much to be desired. Thus, if a heterogeneous group of students work on the same problem, it can yield various solutions. Unless a problem objectively aims to achieve only one solution, it is not possible to reconcile different solutions under one umbrella. 

Thus, the need for AI grows exponentially to enable learners and educators to deliver individualized learning and teaching programs. The above-mentioned study highlights a specific example of this concern. Creating images and videos from textual inputs is seeing great growth in diffusion models. AI tools can be “used to generate 3D models of different bridge designs for an engineering statics course.” 

Similarly, for software engineering aspirants, picking out bugs from codes can be a time- and labor-intensive process, sometimes spanning weeks of sprints and insufficient results. However, using AI to do a quick sweep to recognize problems and offer solutions can significantly reduce these error margins, and engineers can prospectively choose the best possible solutions based on the context and needs of the program. 

Deep learning solutions can help make sense of abstractions and incorporate natural language processing, with the added benefits of speech and image recognition. 

AI can offer a host of learning solutions, from processing online documents and recordings, ingesting large amounts of content, and assessing a bulk of data to offer an exhaustive range of inferences. However, human intervention is an uncompromisable aspect of employing AI in learning, along with dealing with the probability of ethical dilemma. 

As is with any unmonitored innovative solutions in the new age, the responsibility of ethical utilization of such resources should also be considered. Students and teachers alike need to assume the said responsibility and act ethically when working with AI. In this era of unfettered innovation, the ethical use of AI is paramount for both educators and students as harnessing AI-driven learning and innovation can propel one’s technical prowess.

Therefore, working with AI and leveraging it for learning and innovation can be a strong suit in your technical skills. Being AI-driven can help you be ahead of the industry and deliver bespoke solutions and mitigate crises efficiently and innovatively. 

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Tips to Choose the Best Europe SIM Card Options https://myventurepad.com/tips-to-choose-the-best-europe-sim-card-options/ Mon, 06 Nov 2023 22:28:30 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24209 The choice of a suitable SIM card for your European trip may affect your mobile services and your feelings while abroad. In this article, we are going to give you essential tips on how you can travel smart with our Europe SIM card options. First of all, you should determine the needs that are necessary […]

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The choice of a suitable SIM card for your European trip may affect your mobile services and your feelings while abroad. In this article, we are going to give you essential tips on how you can travel smart with our Europe SIM card options.

  • Understand your travel needs

First of all, you should determine the needs that are necessary when traveling to European countries. Take into account the number of days you will spend in Europe, the European countries you will visit, and your data usage, as well as whether you will need more calls and text messages. Knowing exactly what you need will help you select the best SIM card offer.

  • Coverage Across Multiple European Countries 

Choose an option for a European SIM card that covers various European countries. This means that you can make phone calls as you keep traveling from country to country without being disconnected. Having one SIM card that works effortlessly in different countries is more convenient than handling many cards.

  • Data, Calls, and Text 

Compare the data, calls, and text packages available with various European SIM card choices. Make sure your plan is consistent with what you expect to use or consume. Always give priority to the data plans that provide sufficient data but at affordable rates if you navigate the internet a lot, spend most of your time on social media, or work online. Also, if you intend to make a call or send a message, look at the specified call and SMS allowances.

  • Cost-Effectiveness 

Choosing a cheap European SIM card is obligatory. Compare price structure, enrollment fees, recharging the same, and data/call fees. For instance, sometimes a slightly high first payment is worth it as it comes along with more information or a lower rate. Always remember to be aware of potential hidden charges that might blow up your expenses at some point.

  • SIM Card Validity Period 

The validity period of the SIM card A few European SIM cards are ineffective when activated. However, if your travel exceeds the card’s validity period, you may have to buy another card or top up. Ensure you choose options with a longer shelf life to suit your travel plan.

  • Customer support and assistance 

In case you face any glitches or simply ask something pertaining to your European SIM card, the service is extremely important. Opt for providers who have reachable and helpful customer support by means of phone, email, or live chat. This will put your mind at ease and ensure a relaxed journey.

  • Finalize your choice. 

Consider all these factors and arrive at the best choice. Choose a suitable Europe SIM card that covers the whole Europe area, provides the appropriate bundle packages, and is affordable with excellent customer support. Always be sure that you comprehend the agreement terms prior to proceeding with the purchase.

Conclusion 

Finally, when traveling smart with our Europe SIM card options, you need to carefully consider your travel requirements, coverage within various European countries, bundle offers, value for money, duration of validity, and dependability of customer services. Therefore, following the outlined instructions can help you pick the best Europe SIM cards to ensure uninterrupted telecommunication throughout the European visit. Make travel wise with a chosen Europe SIM card and an effortless tour.

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How to Run Your WebdriverIO Automation Scripts with Appium? https://myventurepad.com/how-to-run-your-webdriverio-automation-scripts-with-appium/ Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:15:32 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24201 Softwarе tеsting plays a crucial rolе in thе softwarе dеvеlopmеnt procеss for wеbsitеs and wеb applications. During this phasе, thе tеsting tеam works diligеntly to еnsurе that thеrе arе no еrrors or bugs in thе projеct. It’s also еssеntial to vеrify that thе projеct is compatiblе with a widе rangе of dеvicеs and wеb browsеrs.  […]

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Softwarе tеsting plays a crucial rolе in thе softwarе dеvеlopmеnt procеss for wеbsitеs and wеb applications. During this phasе, thе tеsting tеam works diligеntly to еnsurе that thеrе arе no еrrors or bugs in thе projеct. It’s also еssеntial to vеrify that thе projеct is compatiblе with a widе rangе of dеvicеs and wеb browsеrs. 

Onе typе of softwarе tеsting that’s particularly important is rеal dеvicе tеsting, whеrе tеsts arе pеrformеd on a divеrsе array of dеvicеs usеd by usеrs worldwidе. In this articlе, wе’ll еxplorе how to lеvеragе WebdriverIO and Appium to conduct rеal dеvicе tеsting and covеr various aspеcts of this procеss. 

What Is WebdriverIO?

WebdriverIO is a powеrful, fеaturе-rich framеwork dеsignеd for automating rеal dеvicе tеsting. It’s dеvеlopеd using JavaScript and runs on NodеJS. Thе bеst part is that WebdriverIO is an opеn-sourcе framеwork that’s frее to usе, making it accеssiblе to tеstеrs. Thе latеst vеrsion, WеbDrivеr v8, was rеlеasеd in Dеcеmbеr 2022. 

WebdriverIO is vеrsatilе, capablе of conducting еnd-to-еnd tеsting for both mobilе and wеb applications. You can run it on local machinеs or cloud tеsting platforms. This offеrs flеxibility in writing tеst casеs, allowing you to usе diffеrеnt programming languagеs such as JavaScript and TypеScript. Additionally, it supports various tеsting framеworks likе Mocha and Cucumbеr. 

Why Usе WebdriverIO for Rеal Dеvicе Tеsting with Appium?

Lеt’s dеlvе into thе advantagеs of using WebdriverIO for rеal dеvicе tеsting in conjunction with Appium:

  • Easy Configuration: Sеtting up WebdriverIO is a brееzе. Evеn nеw tеstеrs can handlе it with еasе. Just opеn your command linе prompt and run thе command “npm init wdio”. Answеr a fеw installation-rеlatеd quеstions, and you’rе good to go. 
  • Support for Mobilе and Wеb Applications: WebdriverIO shinеs bеcausе it supports both wеb and mobilе applications. It accommodatеs wеb application languagеs such as Rеact, Vuе, and Angular, as wеll as rеal dеvicе tеsting for Android and iOS applications. 
  • Dеtailеd Rеporting: WebdriverIO providеs comprеhеnsivе rеports, thanks to its support for various tеsting framеworks likе Mocha and Cucumbеr. This makеs it еasy for tеsting tеams to idеntify and rеctify еrrors or bugs еfficiеntly. 
  • Programming Languagе Support: WebdriverIO lеts tеstеrs writе tеst scripts using a rangе of programming languagеs, likе JavaScript and TypеScript. This flеxibility allows tеstеrs to work with thеir prеfеrrеd languagе, еnhancing tеsting еfficiеncy. 
  • Intеgration with Cloud Platforms: Rеal dеvicе tеsting oftеn involvеs a widе rangе of opеrating systеms and wеb browsеrs, which can bе timе-consuming. 
  • Support for WеbDrivеr BiDi: In thе latеst vеrsion, WebdriverIO v8, thеrе’s support for WebdriverIO BiDi. This allows tеstеrs to run browsеr tеsts, rathеr than just thе browsеr еnginе. 
  • Auto Wait Support: WebdriverIO offеrs an automatic waiting mеchanism during tеsting, еnabling tеstеrs to wait еxplicitly for еach еlеmеnt of thеir softwarе or wеb application bеforе intеracting with thеm. 

Architеcturе of WebdriverIO

Lеt’s takе a look at thе architеcturе of WebdriverIO, which is еssеntial to undеrstand its componеnts and how it functions. 

WebdriverIO follows a modular architеcturе with a corе that usеs thе WеbDrivеr protocol to еstablish communication bеtwееn thе cliеnt sidе and thе browsеr sidе during rеal dеvicе tеsting. Kеy componеnts includе thе WеbDrivеr Cliеnt, Runnеr, and Sеlеnium sеrvеr. 

  • Tеst Runnеr: This componеnt monitors tеst еxеcution and analysis whilе sеrving as a rеporting agеnt for tеsting tasks. 
  • WеbDrivеr: It facilitatеs thе connеction and communication bеtwееn thе WеbDrivеr cliеnt and thе browsеr or application sidе, following WebdriverIO protocols. 
  • Sеlеnium: This componеnt acts as a bridgе for еstablishing a connеction bеtwееn thе cliеnt and thе browsеr of thе mobilе application. 

What Is Appium?

Appium is a tеst automation framеwork usеd for softwarе tеsting of mobilе applications and wеbsitеs. It simplifiеs thе procеss of writing and running tеsts across various hardwarе and opеrating systеms by offеring a singlе API for both Android and iOS platforms. Appium supports multiplе programming languagеs, such as Java, Python, Ruby, C#, еtc. , allowing tеstеrs to choosе thеir prеfеrrеd languagе for rеal dеvicе tеsting. 

Cross-platform intеropеrability is a major advantagе of Appium, as it еnablеs tеstеrs to crеatе tеsts oncе and run thеm on both Android and iOS dеvicеs. This approach rеducеs еffort and еnsurеs consistеnt findings across platforms. 

Leveraging Cloud for WebdriverIO Automation using Appium

Utilizing the cloud for WebdriverIO automation with Appium is a smart way to expand the scope of your mobile app testing. This method involves making use of cloud-based testing services to run WebdriverIO test scripts designed for Appium automation.

To make the most of cloud-based WebdriverIO automation with Appium, you’ll want to select a dependable cloud testing service, set up your testing environment accordingly, and adapt your WebdriverIO scripts to function within the cloud-based system. This approach empowers your team to conduct tests more swiftly and comprehensively, ultimately resulting in higher app quality and an improved user experience.

One great option for this purpose is LambdaTest, an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform that offers a vast array of over 3000 real mobile devices, as well as emulators and simulators. This comprehensive approach provides several benefits:

  • Device Variety: You can test your app on numerous real devices, ensuring it works well on a wide range of configurations.
  • Parallel Execution: Running tests on multiple devices at once reduces testing time, making the process more efficient.
  • Maintenance and Infrastructure: LambdaTest handles device maintenance, freeing your team from these responsibilities.
  • Scalability: The platform can adapt to increased testing demands.
  • Geographical Testing: Your app’s performance is assessed in various locations, ensuring global usability.
  • Cost-Efficiency: LambdaTest is cost-effective, as you only pay for what you use.
  • Integration with CI/CD: It seamlessly fits into your CI/CD pipeline, automating your testing process and providing quick feedback to developers.

By harnessing LambdaTest’s capabilities, you can streamline your Appium automation with WebdriverIO and enhance the quality and user experience of your mobile applications.

Bеst Practicеs for Tеsting with Appium

To maximizе thе еffеctivеnеss of your rеal dеvicе tеsting using Appium, considеr thе following bеst practicеs:

Parallеlization: Running tеsts on multiplе dеvicеs simultanеously hеlps savе timе and allows you to dеtеct and addrеss issuеs morе еfficiеntly. 

Tеst on Rеal Dеvicеs: Whеnеvеr possiblе, tеst your application on various rеal dеvicеs. You can usе cloud rеsourcеs likе еmulators and virtual machinеs to crеatе a multi-dеvicе еnvironmеnt on a singlе systеm. 

Utilizе Appium Logs: Appium providеs dеtailеd logs of еvеry activity during rеal dеvicе tеsting. Usе thеsе logs to idеntify and rеctify еrrors, еnhancing thе еfficiеncy of your tеsting procеss. 

Implеmеnt thе Pagе Objеct Modеl: This modеl hеlps adapt to changеs in thе UI of a pagе by rеducing thе impact of UI changеs on thе application codе. Only thе affеctеd codе nееds modification basеd on thе nеw UI. 

Lеvеraging Cloud for WebdriverIO Automation Tеsting Scripts with Appium

LambdaTеst is an AI-powеrеd tеsting platform and еxеcution tool dеsignеd to strеamlinе Appium automation procеssеs across onlinе browsеrs. It boasts an еxtеnsivе rеpository of ovеr 3, 000 rеal dеvicеs and browsеrs. With LambdaTеst, modеrn dеvеlopеrs and tеstеrs can significantly еxpеditе thеir timе-to-markеt whilе еnsuring a top-tiеr wеb еxpеriеncе. 

Summary

In this article, you have seen that Appium is a test automation framework that is used to perform software testing for mobile applications and websites. WebdriverIO is a framework developed using the programming language JavaScript and it runs on NodeJS. Hope you got an understanding of how to run your tests using WebdriverIO and Appium for real device testing.                                                                   

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How do you Manage Risks When Automating Quality Assurance? https://myventurepad.com/how-do-you-manage-risks-when-automating-quality-assurance/ Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:15:12 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24203 Automation testing has a lot more benefits for improving software application efficiency and service quality. Automation testing consists of applying computational powers to what it does the best and also performing repetitive activities for the software applications. And like all the other technologies, automation and quality assurance also have some risks.  The traditional software development […]

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Automation testing has a lot more benefits for improving software application efficiency and service quality. Automation testing consists of applying computational powers to what it does the best and also performing repetitive activities for the software applications. And like all the other technologies, automation and quality assurance also have some risks. 

The traditional software development process has evolved from the typical Waterfall method that takes months and sometimes even years to create, assemble, and test a software application. Along the way, software quality assurance has to keep an eye on the entire software development process. While the whole thing gets executed, there are chances of some risks that surely need to be fixed and managed. 

In this article, first, you will have a brief look over what quality assurance is, what are the risks in quality assurance, and how you can manage the risks when automation quality assurance.

What is Quality Assurance?

 The term Quality Assurance is defined as the process of determining if the software application is sufficiently efficient and featureful to meet the requirements of the clients. Quality assurance is the set of activities that ensure processes, procedures as well and standards are suitable for the project and implemented correctly. The quality assurance process of a software application works parallel to the whole software development process. 

The objective of quality assurance is to improve the processes that are executed to develop the software application. There are various benefits of quality assurance such as improving the software quality, usability, portability, error control, etc. 

Automation quality is defined as the process of using automated tools and techniques to execute the quality assurance process for a software application. Using automated quality assurance has several benefits over manual quality assurance. These are like it increases the QA time efficiency, there are fewer chances of human error, etc. But after all these benefits there are also some risks when automating quality assurance. Now, let us see what are these risks in automated quality assurance in the given section.

What are the Risks of Automating Quality Assurance?

The risks involved in automated quality assurance are evaluated to suit the software testing requirements of the project. These risks are as follows:

  • Underestimating the possible human errors in some specific test scenarios.
  • Unrealistic expectations from the chosen automated QA tools.
  • Some vendor issues such as not getting technical support and being unable to update the automation testing tools with changes in the software testing platform, etc.
  • There are risks of version control and adaptable maintainability of the testing scripts.
  • There are risks of compatibility issues of automation testing tools with respect to the testing environment.

How do you Manage Risks When Automating Quality Assurance?

These are some of the best practices that should be followed by the QA team to manage the risks when automating quality assurance.

Identifying the Automation Testing Scope 

Identifying the automation testing scope is one of the most important practices that should be followed to execute your automation AQ process. You must decide the tests that you want to automate or not. Because it may be possible that all the tests are not perfect to be automated in the QA process. There are some tests that compulsorily require human involvement to get executed. There are various criteria that can be used in automation to manage the risks in quality assurance testing.

These criteria are test complexity, test frequency, test stability, test priority management, etc. This can be very helpful in managing the risks when you automate quality assurance tests. Analyzing these criteria helps to determine whether a specific test is worth automating or not in quality assurance testing. Also, you can leave the unnecessary tests to be manual for better testing efficiency and outcome. There are also some automation tools available that can be used to determine your automation testing scope. These tools are automation feasibility analysis, automation pyramid, etc.

Choosing the Right Automation Tools

To manage risks when automating the quality assurance process, it is very important to choose the appropriate automation tools. Numerous open-source and paid automated testing technologies are available. When selecting a tool, take into account elements including the application’s technological stack, the team’s experience, and your budget. Selenium, Appium, and TestComplete are a few well-liked automation testing solutions. Selecting the appropriate automation tools demands careful thought.

  • Technological Stack: The technological stack of your application has a big impact on the tools you choose. While some automation systems are better suited for desktop software or mobile apps, others specialize in web applications. There can be no compromise on compatibility with your tech stack.
  • Team Expertise: Take into account the knowledge and experience of your testing team. It might go more smoothly if they are already familiar with a particular automation tool. On the other hand, consider the learning curve if they must start from scratch.
  • Budget: There are many types of automation technologies, ranging from open-source solutions like Selenium to for-profit solutions like TestComplete. Naturally, your pick will be influenced by your budget. Keep in mind that purchasing a dependable instrument can frequently result in long-term cost savings.

Designing Your Automation Testing Framework

After selecting the right automation tool for the quality assurance process, now it’s time to design your automation framework. Designing your automation framework is defined as the set of guidelines, standard rules, and some best practices that a testing team should follow when you create and execute automation tests. While designing the automation framework, keep in mind that the automation framework should be consistent, modular, reusable, maintainable, and also adaptive in nature. These features help to better design the test automation framework and help in managing the risks when automating quality assurance.

While designing an automation framework, it is also important to document your framework design and then train your testing team on how to use it. There are also some tools available that can be used to document your test automation when automation quality assurance. These tools are automation framework templates and automation framework examples. These tools will help the team to design the automation framework and will help to manage the risks when automating quality assurance.

Implement the AutomationTests

After designing the automation testing framework, the quality assurance team needs to implement the automation tests. Implementing your automation tests, means that you need to implement the testing scripts, programs, etc that are needed to perform the testing actions and also to verify the testing results. One of the recommendations while implementing the automation tests is to follow the Test-Driven Development (TDD). 

This principle states that the team should write the testing scripts prior to writing the main code. Also, never forget to use the standards and conventions of your automation framework and use the code quality tools. The various code quality tools are linting, formatting, and refactoring. These tools help to ensure that the test scripts are easily readable, reliable and it is robust. All these actions help to manage risks when automating quality assurance.

Monitoring and Reporting Automation Test Results

Monitoring and reporting test results is a very important step that really helps manage the risks when automating quality assurance. The reports include various things such as the test data, the feedback of tests that you collect from the automated testing, etc. There are various tools that can be used to monitor and report your automation results. These tools are dashboards, logs, and alerts that can be used to track the test results and visualize how the automation test is performing. 

The various parameters that help to understand the automation testing performance are test coverage, test failures, test defects, etc. There are also some tools that can be used to manage and report the automation results of quality assurance such as reports, charts, graphs, etc that help to communicate all the stakeholders with your automation test results. The stakeholders such as developers, managers, clients, etc can communicate and provide their valuable insights to perform the automation testing with efficiency and also help to manage risks when automating quality assurance.

Create a detailed test report and analysis in order to gain greater insight into the results of your automated tests. Making test reports easily understandable while providing pass/fail status as well as issues discovered during testing is part of this effort. Using these reports effectively will allow you to uncover patterns, trouble spots, and bottlenecks within your testing procedures. Also, the stakeholders can put their effort into improving the test automation process. They can make comparisons, and provide valuable inputs to the test automation process as well as make decisions, take actions, or celebrate achievements. 

When it comes to automating quality assurance and mitigating risks, LambdaTest’s cloud platform stands as your steadfast ally. 

LambdaTest is an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform to run manual and automated tests at scale. The platform allows you to perform both real-time and automation testing across 3000+ environments and real mobile devices.

Conclusion

Quality Assurance is defined as the process of determining if the software application is sufficiently efficient and featureful to meet the requirements of the clients. It aims to improve the processes that are executed to develop the software application. Automating QA has a lot of advantages but we can not deny that it also has several risks. Managing those risks is a must to do.

The several practices that can be used to manage the risks when automating quality assurance of automation testing are identifying the testing scope, choosing the automation tools wisely, designing the testing framework for QA, etc. All these practices can be followed by the QA team to manage risks when automating quality assurance.

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How to Run Your JBehave Automation Testing Scripts With Appium? https://myventurepad.com/how-to-run-your-jbehave-automation-testing-scripts-with-appium/ Fri, 27 Oct 2023 13:14:57 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24202 In the modern era dominated by mobile applications, ensuring their reliability and performance is of utmost importance. To handle this, the combination of JBehave, a versatile Behavior-Driven Development framework in Java, with Appium, an open-source mobile application automation tool, emerges as an effective solution. JBehave stands out in its capability to represent test methods in […]

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In the modern era dominated by mobile applications, ensuring their reliability and performance is of utmost importance. To handle this, the combination of JBehave, a versatile Behavior-Driven Development framework in Java, with Appium, an open-source mobile application automation tool, emerges as an effective solution.

JBehave stands out in its capability to represent test methods in plain language, enabling collaboration among development, testing, and domain specialists. Meanwhile, Appium serves as the facilitator for automating mobile app testing across a wide array of platforms, including Android and iOS.

This blog takes a deep dive into the smooth integration of JBehave automation scripts with Appium. This powerful combination delivers a methodical and comprehensive procedure for mobile app testing, assuring that your applications deliver flawless implementation. 

Whether you are a seasoned developer, a meticulous tester, or a domain expert committed to achieving excellence, the combination of JBehave and Appium equips you with the tools required to meet user expectations and uphold the highest standards of product quality in the fast-paced world of mobile technology.

What is JBehave Automation?

JBehave automation refers to the practice of automating software testing using the JBehave framework. JBehave is a Java-based open-source framework that supports Behavior-Driven Development (BDD) principles for testing and validating software applications.

In JBehave automation, test methods are written in a natural language form that is easy to understand by both technical and non-technical stakeholders. These methods are typically structured using the Given-When-Then format, where “Given” denotes the initial context or setup, “When” represents the action being performed, and “Then” defines the desired outcome or verification points.

How does JBehave Automation work?

JBehave automation works by translating plain language test strategies into executable actions using step descriptions written in a programming language. It facilitates cooperation, transparency, and automation in software testing, making it an effective procedure for assuring the quality and dependability of software applications. Here’s a step-by-step explanation of how JBehave automation performs:

Define The Test Scenario:

  • The procedure starts with the definition of test procedures or test cases. These methods are generally written in plain language and explain the behavior of a specific segment or element of the software.

Given-When-Then Structure:

  • JBehave scenarios normally follow the Given-When-Then format, which delivers a precise structure for describing scenarios:
  • Given: Represents the initial context or setup for the test.
  • When: Defines the action or event being performed.
  • Then: Illustrate the desired outcome or verification points.

Scenario Writing:

  • Testers, developers, and domain experts cooperate to compose these scenarios to ensure that they accurately describe the expected behavior of the software. These procedures are often stored in simple text files or feature files.

Step Descriptions:

  • Each stage in a JBehave system needs to be associated with code that executes the related activity or verification. This is done by writing step definitions in Java (or another programming language as per your choice).
  • Step descriptions map the plain language steps in the scenarios to existing code that interacts with the software being tested.

Test Execution:

  • JBehave provides a test runner that reads the written scenarios and their associated step descriptions.
  • During test execution, JBehave translates the plain language strategies into executable actions by invoking the related step descriptions.

Automation Framework Integration:

  • JBehave can be integrated with different automation frameworks and tools, including WebDriver for web application testing and Appium for mobile application testing.
  • This integration permits JBehave to interact with the software’s user interface, execute steps like clicking buttons or filling out forms, and verify the expected results.

Reporting:

  • JBehave generates precise test reports that provide information about which scenarios passed, failed, or encountered errors.
  • These reports allow testers and developers to recognize and analyze issues in the software.

Maintenance and Iteration:

  • As the software develops, test methods and step descriptions may need to be revamped to reflect modifications in requirements or functionality.
  • JBehave automation allows for easy maintenance and rerunning of tests to ensure that the software continues to fulfil its intended behavior.

What is Appium?

Appium is an open-source mobile automation tool that allows testers to automate interactions with native, hybrid, and mobile web applications on different platforms, such as Android and iOS. 

  • One of its standout qualities is its capability to deliver a cooperative API for various mobile platforms, allowing testers to compose a single set of automation scripts that function across multiple devices and operating systems. 
  • Appium’s architecture depends on the WebDriver protocol, delivering a seamless interface for managing mobile apps just like a user would.

What are the features of Appium? 

  • Cross-Platform Capability: 

Appium supports both Android and iOS platforms, making it a universal choice for testing applications on multiple devices and operating systems. 

This cross-platform ability simplifies the testing procedure, decreasing the demand for separate testing frameworks for each platform.

  • Open Source: 

Appium is an open-source tool. It has a dynamic community of developers and testers contributing to its development. 

This exposure promotes innovation, and users can benefit from community support and resources.

  • Unified Automation: 

Appium furnishes a single, uniform API for automating native, hybrid, and mobile web applications. This unified technique facilitates test script development and maintenance.

  • Device and OS Compatibility: 

Appium can operate with physical devices, emulators, and simulators. 

It allows testers to cover a broad range of device configurations and operating system versions.

  • Access to Native APIs: 

Appium provides access to native device APIs, allowing testers to execute actions that are essential for complete mobile app testing.

  • Robust Community and Resources: 

Appium has an extensive and dynamic user community, which indicates there are ample resources, tutorials, and documentation available to enable users to get started and troubleshoot problems.

  • Continuous Development and Updates: 

Appium is an evolving platform, that keeps up with continuous modifications in mobile operating systems and devices. Updates and enhancements are regularly released to manage new challenges in mobile app testing.

  • Cost-Effective: 

Being open source and widely adopted, Appium can remarkably decrease testing expenses compared to proprietary automation tools.

All of these above-mentioned facilities are available on LambdaTest.  

LambdaTest is a game-changing cloud-based testing platform that revolutionizes the world of web and mobile application testing. It presents a wide range of services for thorough testing across various browsers, platforms, and real devices. This platform streamlines testing by incorporating cutting-edge AI-driven orchestration and execution capacities, making the testing process more efficient and effective.

How to run JBehave automation scripts with Appium?

Running JBehave automation testing scripts with Appium is a robust combination to automate the testing of mobile applications, specifically for Android and iOS platforms. JBehave is a behavior-driven development (BDD) framework for Java, and Appium is an open-source tool for automating mobile applications. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can execute JBehave automation testing scripts with Appium:

Set Up Your Environment

  • Assure that you have Java Development Kit (JDK) pre-installed on your system.
  • Install and set up Appium on your machine. You can utilize npm (Node Package Manager) to install Appium.
  • Download and install Appium dependencies such as Android SDK and Xcode (for iOS testing).
  • Make sure you have the essential JBehave libraries added to your project.

Create a JBehave Test Scenario

  • Write your test scenario utilizing the JBehave framework. Define the different behavior-driven test cases and actions in simple text files.

Set Up the Appium Driver

  • Create an Appium driver in your JBehave test script. The Appium driver permits you to interact with the mobile application under test.
  • Configure the driver to connect to the Appium server and define the expected capabilities such as platform name, device name, application path, and automation name.

Execute Step Definitions

  • Write step definition techniques in Java that correspond to the phases defined in your JBehave scenarios. These processes will interact with the mobile application using the Appium driver’s techniques.

Run the JBehave Tests

  • Use JBehave’s test runner to conduct your test scenarios. JBehave will read your plain text scenarios and execute the corresponding step definitions.
  • JBehave will report the results of the tests, indicating whether they passed or failed.

Analyze Test Results

  • After the successful test execution, check the test results to specify any failures or issues.
  • Analyze any failed scenarios and resolve any bugs or issues in your test scripts or application code.

Iterate and Maintain the Process

  • Constantly update and maintain your JBehave test scripts as your application develops.
  • Keep your Appium and Appium dependencies up to date to assure compatibility with the latest mobile platforms and devices.

Reporting and Integration of the Process

  • Execute reporting mechanisms to develop detailed test reports for better visibility into test developments.
  • You can incorporate your JBehave tests into continuous integration (CI) pipelines for automated testing as part of your software development methodology.

Harnessing Cloud for Appium Automation with JBehave

Harnessing cloud technology for JBehave automation with Appium is a robust approach to amplify your mobile app testing efforts. This method entails utilizing cloud-based testing platforms or services to run JBehave test scripts tailored for Appium.

To make the most of cloud-based JBehave automation with Appium, you’ll need to select a trustworthy cloud testing provider, set up your testing environment accordingly, and adapt your JBehave test scripts to function seamlessly within the cloud-based infrastructure. This method empowers your team to accomplish swifter and more extensive testing, ultimately leading to elevated app quality and an improved user experience.

For this purpose, you can rely on LambdaTest, an AI-powered test orchestration and execution platform. LambdaTest grants you the capability to execute Appium automation using JBehave on a real device cloud encompassing over 3000 real devices, as well as emulators and simulators. This comprehensive approach brings numerous advantages:

  • Device Variety: You can thoroughly test your app on a wide array of real devices, guaranteeing its compatibility with various configurations.
  • Parallel Execution: Running tests concurrently on multiple devices significantly reduces testing time, optimizing efficiency.
  • Maintenance and Infrastructure: LambdaTest handles the complexities of device management, freeing your team from these responsibilities.
  • Scalability: The platform adapts seamlessly to increased testing demands.
  • Geographical Testing: Evaluating your app’s performance across diverse locations ensures it functions well for users worldwide.
  • Cost-Efficiency: LambdaTest offers a cost-effective pay-as-you-go model, helping you manage expenses efficiently.
  • Integration with CI/CD: It seamlessly integrates with your CI/CD pipeline, automating the testing process and ensuring swift feedback for your development team.

By leveraging LambdaTest, you can streamline your JBehave automation with Appium and enhance the quality and user experience of your mobile applications.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, conducting JBehave automation testing scripts with Appium is a robust approach for assuring the quality and reliability of your mobile applications. By incorporating the behaviour-driven testing framework of JBehave with the versatility of Appium, you can efficiently automate tests, enhance test coverage, and improve the overall quality of your mobile apps.

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Advantages of Optical Fibre Internet Connections https://myventurepad.com/advantages-of-optical-fibre-internet-connections/ Wed, 25 Oct 2023 17:16:38 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24196 When you choose a broadband connection, depending on the availability, you may have the option to select between fibre, copper and cable connections. You might think these technologies are mostly the same, but that is far from the truth. With recent advancements, fibre optic has become a standard for fast, high-quality data transmission for business […]

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When you choose a broadband connection, depending on the availability, you may have the option to select between fibre, copper and cable connections. You might think these technologies are mostly the same, but that is far from the truth. With recent advancements, fibre optic has become a standard for fast, high-quality data transmission for business and performance-minded consumers. While this technology is still new, it has captured the imagination of professionals across various industries. 

So, let’s discuss some of the factors behind the popularity of optical fibre and why you should make it a priority while you compare internet plans:

  • Bandwidth – Investing in fibre technology can significantly improve the bandwidth capability of the connection. Copper wires have many limitations, as copper technology was initially invented to carry voice, not for high bandwidth internet. Copper wire cannot carry signals over large distances. On the contrary, the optical fibre can transmit a signal over a considerable distance.
  • Upload and Download Speed – Optical fibre gives you a faster upload and download speed. With this technology, you can get a Gigabit connection directly to your home, which is impossible to achieve with copper wire. Also, fibre technology lets you enjoy a seamless experience even during peak hours.
  • Security – With the fibre connection, you can add various security features. With a copper connection, anyone can connect a rogue line to your connection and intercept the traffic. Further, with a copper connection, if the wire breaks, signals will not be transferred, and the entire network will halt.
  • Reliability – Copper wire is prone to temperature fluctuations and other environmental factors, such as moisture, but fibre cables do not carry the same hazards. Optical fibre is practically immune to external factors and is therefore considered a better choice. When it comes to reliability, there is nothing better than optical fibre.
  • Cable Size – No other technology can compete with optical fibre when it comes to cable size. Copper wires and coaxial cables cannot carry the signal across a comparable length. Because optical fibre uses a light beam to transmit signals, the signals are not degraded over long distances.

There are also, however, some flaws in using optical fibre that we will discuss below:

  • Costly – Optical fibre connection is expensive compared to cable and copper technology. Securing an optical fibre connection may cost you a premium, but it is worth its benefits. If the price is not a concern, go for a fibre connection. When you Compare Internet Plans, always consider optical technology seriously due to the performance benefits.
  • Fragile – Optical fibre is delicate and can easily break even if the wire is slightly bent. Also, if any section of the wire breaks, the entire wire must be changed from the switch to the modem. In the case of other wired connections, the wires can be re-joined together easily.

Choose the connection that fits your online lifestyle

While optical fibre offers a range of benefits we have discussed above, it also has some flaws. On balance, though, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. If you want a reliable connection and a good speed, there is nothing better than optical fibre. Optical fibre is the best connection that you can get for your money.

Find the right fit for your digital life with Econnex

If you’re on the hunt for the ideal internet service provider to suit your online habits and lifestyle, look no further than our panel of retailers on Econnex Comparison. We have a broad suite of products for Australian consumers to choose from, including fibre-optic connections that can transform the performance of your home or company’s internet connection. What’s more, you can apply online from one intuitive platform, streamlining the process to make it as simple as possible. 

Choosing the right internet provider to fit your needs is made easy with Econnex. Start comparing packages and products today and take the power back. 

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Know about Custom Web Development https://myventurepad.com/know-about-custom-web-development/ Fri, 20 Oct 2023 15:29:30 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24186 Custom web development involves creating websites that are uniquely tailored to your brand, product, or company. The website is specifically designed for your target audience to give you a competitive advantage over your competitors. Elements like layouts, fonts, and colors are crafted to enhance your online brand. Using the same set of templates can result […]

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Custom web development involves creating websites that are uniquely tailored to your brand, product, or company. The website is specifically designed for your target audience to give you a competitive advantage over your competitors.

Elements like layouts, fonts, and colors are crafted to enhance your online brand. Using the same set of templates can result in a basic and unremarkable appearance, as there will be numerous websites identical to yours. Your website serves as the face of your business, and its expandability, compatibility, loading speed, and features will ultimately determine your online success and long-term profitability.

Here are  5 reasons why custom web development is essential:

  1. Unique look aligned with your brand: Most people, including our clients, often think of “website design” as creating a visually stunning webpage and putting it online. However, they overlook a crucial step — web development, where business ideas are transformed into reality. It’s crucial to be meticulous when choosing a development team, especially regarding the implementation of new features, stability testing, and compatibility across various browsers.
  2. Flexibility and user-friendliness: Custom web development provides your customers with a user-friendly website.  It also allows for periodic customization when necessary, unlike template-based websites that are difficult to modify due to  unnecessary code.
  3. Fast loading: Website load time is critical for your business; it can determine whether you gain or lose a customer. Custom-built websites enable you to eliminate unnecessary bloatware and functionality, optimizing both performance and design for quicker loading times.
  4. Enhanced creativity: Custom web development empowers you to experiment and incorporate features that give you a unique identity. It also offers more control and independence over navigation.
  5. Easy third-party integration: Custom websites allow for the seamless integration of well-established and secure third-party APIs, reducing development costs and integrating systems your clients already use, such as Google Maps, Salesforce, Authorize.net, and various social apps.

Custom Frontend

Front-end web development involves coding the user-facing elements of a website, such as interactive features like slide-out menus and image carousels. These components are crucial to user experience and need to be well-designed and functional.

Our front-end development toolkit is equipped with the latest technologies for reliability and stability. We create customized components that are easy to maintain and expand. Our bespoke web designs ensure fast, smooth, and intuitive navigation, guaranteeing an exceptional user experience.

Custom Backend

A website’s backend consists of complex code that operates behind the scenes, managing form data, accessing databases, and more. It’s the driving force behind your website, and custom back-end programming is often required to support various features.

Our web solutions are tailored to your specific needs, focusing on efficiency and high-performance systems. We prioritize well-documented and clean code that adheres to programming language standards.

Custom E-Commerce

Small businesses often need custom e-commerce solutions to achieve growth and efficiency. Custom e-commerce solutions offer scalability, flexibility, and greater control over your business.

These advanced e-commerce solutions allow you to capture a larger share of online revenue while integrating your existing products or databases. We provide e-commerce solutions that seamlessly integrate with our content management systems, making online store management efficient and secure.

In conclusion, while having an appealing web design is important, it’s web development that can make or break your business. For small business owners, custom solutions provide a comprehensive online shopping cart system and an integrated product catalog that can be easily customized to match your brand identity, optimizing your website for search engines and improving your online presence.

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Do you really need Microsoft 365 backups? https://myventurepad.com/do-you-really-need-microsoft-365-backups/ Wed, 18 Oct 2023 17:04:06 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24182 Of all the myriad productivity apps available to businesses, Microsoft 365 may be the most widely used, and the most familiar. The cloud version of Microsoft Office is a central part of a majority of businesses across all industries, and is relied on for everything from writing employee handbooks and contracts to complex financial spreadsheets. […]

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Of all the myriad productivity apps available to businesses, Microsoft 365 may be the most widely used, and the most familiar. The cloud version of Microsoft Office is a central part of a majority of businesses across all industries, and is relied on for everything from writing employee handbooks and contracts to complex financial spreadsheets. Without Microsoft 365, the business landscape would look very different indeed.

Despite its undeniable importance, though, relatively few businesses think to invest in a Microsoft 365 backup solution. While the cloud is often thought to be impervious to hacking or data loss in a way local servers aren’t, this isn’t necessarily the case. Microsoft 365 backups are something businesses should consider, both for archival and organisational reasons, and to protect some of their most valuable and vulnerable assets.

What is Microsoft 365?

Microsoft 365 is the name for Microsoft’s suite of cloud-based productivity apps. It includes online services such as Outlook and OneDrive, the programs previously marketed as Microsoft Office, and related enterprise products like Exchange Server and SharePoint. Microsoft 365 was designed to unify all of these related business applications under a single brand, with a subscription service offering access to some or all of the applications.

The move away from Office branding relates to the shift from offline to cloud-based software. Where older versions of Office existed in isolation on local machines, Microsoft 365 serves these applications to users from the Cloud. This means that the Office apps and other software in Microsoft 365 are always kept up-to-date, benefit from the latest feature upgrades, and can be accessed from any location or device.

In recognition of its broad appeal and feature set, Microsoft 365 includes a range of subscription packages, from consumer to enterprise plans. Its Business plans cover the whole gamut of small and medium sized businesses, while its Enterprise plans cater to multinational and transnational corporations. Both the Business and Enterprise plans can also include Windows operating system licences, making it a one-stop shop for Microsoft software.

Do you need to backup Microsoft 365?

It’s often assumed that by using cloud software, you forgo the need to backup data. After all, one of the reasons businesses opt to use the Cloud is to prevent data loss from hardware failure or accidental deletion. This is far less likely to afflict cloud servers, where data is stored in and served from multiple locations to provide redundancy. Yet this isn’t true – and Microsoft will tell you as much. 

Microsoft’s Shared Responsibility Model states that while the company is responsible for maintaining its own servers and equipment, the end user is ultimately responsible for protecting their own data. Moreover, hardware failure is not the only way that data on a server can be compromised. If someone gains access to one of your Microsoft 365 logins, they could easily steal or delete your data, something that likely wouldn’t be Microsoft’s fault. And as with any software, you could also lose files by accidentally deleting them.

OneDrive provides a form of file backup, saving a copy of local files to the Cloud. However, OneDrive is a file mirroring service rather than an archiving service. When you make a change to a file on your local machine, this is replicated on the server – meaning that if you delete a file, it will also be deleted in OneDrive. These mistakes may be retrievable, but they highlight the shortcomings of Microsoft 365 for data preservation.

In short, it is absolutely critical that you backup your Microsoft 365 data. Keeping a backup of all the files stored in Microsoft 365 – be they documents or user data – will protect you against the potential for unauthorised access to your accounts, allowing you to limit the amount of progress you lose on projects, and the possibility of reputational damage. But what’s the best way to go about this, and who should carry this work out?

How to backup Microsoft 365

Microsoft 365 features some native backup and restoration tools, but they are extremely limited. These include features such as up to 30 day retention for deleted files (the default is 14), a version history option for Outlook (which can be disabled), and the eDiscovery feature for legal document retention (only available on certain plans). 

None of this is the same as backing up data, and does not protect against situations such as an account deletion, where all corresponding data will be permanently lost. However, Microsoft does provide either direct file access or data export utilities for OneDrive, Exchange Server, SharePoint, Teams, and all other relevant aps inside Microsoft 365, allowing you to backup the data from each application individually.

Certain software utilities offer ‘automatic’ Microsoft 365 backups by granting them access to your Microsoft 365 installation, and allowing them to periodically download the data. This will then usually be stored on another remote server, which you can access and restore from at any time. However, this does come with the obvious caveat that you are opening another door for an external service provider, potentially creating a new security vulnerability.

The other method to backup Microsoft 365 is to work with an IT services provider who has experience in data backups and retrieval. This allows you to delegate backups to a third party who is more local to you, and with whom you have a trusted working relationship, as opposed to an online software provider. They will also be able to provide services such as restoring your data from backups if anything does go wrong.

Sota offers a range of data backup services through SotaProtect, including managed backup and recovery, point-in-time restoration, and an emergency workplace recovery suite for business continuity. Visit our Case Studies page to read about some of the projects we’ve worked on, or get in touch with us today to find out how we can help protect your business.

Sota is one of the UK’s leading independent IT companies, providing professional IT support in Kent, cloud computing, cyber resilience, connectivity, and unified communications. Having worked with countless businesses over the years, they are experts in their field, ready to advise and offer tailored solutions for each and every company. 

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Cranes’ Vital Contribution to the Aerospace Sector https://myventurepad.com/cranes-vital-contribution-to-the-aerospace-sector/ Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:56:35 +0000 https://myventurepad.com/?p=24175 In the vast expanse of the aerospace sector, where precision and safety are paramount, the unsung heroes known as cranes play a pivotal role. These towering machines, with their remarkable lifting capacities and precision, quietly support the assembly, transportation, and launch of spacecraft, satellites, and rockets. In this article, we will explore the vital contribution […]

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In the vast expanse of the aerospace sector, where precision and safety are paramount, the unsung heroes known as cranes play a pivotal role. These towering machines, with their remarkable lifting capacities and precision, quietly support the assembly, transportation, and launch of spacecraft, satellites, and rockets. In this article, we will explore the vital contribution of cranes to the aerospace sector, shedding light on their indispensable role in propelling humanity’s journey beyond the Earth’s atmosphere.

A Lift-off from Precision

Aerospace missions demand a level of precision that leaves no room for error. Whether it’s assembling the intricate components of a satellite or delicately transporting a rocket, the accuracy of every step is critical. Cranes, equipped with advanced technology, ensure that every operation is executed with the utmost precision. Anti-sway systems, automatic positioning, and micro-motion control mechanisms reduce oscillations, guaranteeing millimeter-level accuracy. This level of precision is a linchpin in the aerospace sector, where the stakes are sky-high.

Safeguarding Mission-Critical Hardware

The assembly and integration of spacecraft and rockets are intricate tasks that require the utmost care. Cranes provide the muscle and finesse needed to handle massive payloads, such as rocket stages and satellite components, with the precision of a surgeon’s hand. Their robust lifting capabilities, combined with advanced control systems, ensure that mission-critical hardware is transported and positioned safely, minimizing the risk of damage and failure.

Efficient Assembly and Integration

In the aerospace sector, time is often of the essence. Cranes expedite the assembly and integration process, allowing for efficient workflows. They can swiftly lift heavy components into position, facilitating the meticulous construction of rockets and satellites. This efficiency not only saves time but also reduces costs, a crucial factor in the highly competitive aerospace industry.

Versatile Handling of Payloads

Cranes in the aerospace sector are not one-size-fits-all. They come in various types and sizes, each tailored to handle specific tasks. From gantry cranes that support rocket assembly to overhead cranes used in satellite manufacturing, their versatility is unmatched. This adaptability ensures that every phase of an aerospace mission, from the construction of spacecraft to their launch, is well-supported.

Launching Dreams into the Cosmos

While the spotlight often falls on the rockets and satellites themselves, it’s essential to recognize that without cranes, these spacefaring dreams would remain firmly grounded. Cranes enable us to reach for the stars by ensuring that the intricate and delicate work behind the scenes is executed flawlessly. They empower aerospace engineers and astronauts to explore the cosmos, one precision lift at a time.

Dafang Crane’s Case in Aerospace Sector

On July 12, 2023, at 9:00 AM Beijing time, the Zhuque II-Y2 carrier rocket gracefully ascended from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China. This mission, executed flawlessly according to plan, marked a historic achievement in global aerospace as it proudly declared the success of the world’s first-ever liquid oxygen methane rocket, aptly named “Soaring to the Skies.”

Zhuque Rocket

The Remarkable Zhuque II-Y2 Carrier Rocket

The Zhuque II-Y2 is a liquid oxygen methane carrier rocket characterized by a two-stage design, a 3.35-meter body diameter, and a towering height of 49.5 meters. It boasts a substantial liftoff weight of 219 tons and an impressive thrust of 268 tons, establishing its distinction as the world’s inaugural successful liquid oxygen methane rocket to achieve orbit.

Precision at Its Peak

In the realm of rocket launches, precision is paramount. The smallest deviation can lead to catastrophic failure. This is where Dafang Crane’s expertise comes into play, particularly during the intricate phases of rocket handling, where precision in angles and micro-movements is of utmost importance.

Dafang Crane’s Innovative Contributions

Dafang Crane’s innovative double girder overhead cranes played a vital role in this mission. These cranes, designed and manufactured by Dafang, were responsible for the meticulous transport, rotation, inspection, testing, and even fueling of the rocket within the assembly facility. Their high precision and reliability ensured every step of the process was carried out with perfection.

Advanced Crane Technology

Dafang Crane’s double girder EOT cranes incorporate cutting-edge technology, including electrical anti-sway, automatic positioning, and micro-motion control systems. These innovations reduce swinging movements by a remarkable 95%, guarantee a precision of 2 millimeters, and achieve a micro-motion accuracy of 1 millimeter. This significantly enhances stability and precision during the rocket’s lifting and handling, establishing Dafang Crane as a cornerstone of the mission’s success.

Double Girder EOT Cranes

A Partnership for the Stars

Dafang Crane’s invaluable contributions extend beyond this mission. The company has established strong partnerships with all four major Chinese satellite launch centers, where they have assisted in the successful launches of Shenzhou spacecraft, Tiangong space laboratories, Chang’e lunar probes, and Long March carrier rockets. These achievements fill every Dafang employee with immense pride and a sense of honor.

Conclusion – Elevating Aerospace Endeavors

In the grand theater of space exploration, cranes may not receive the applause they deserve, but their vital contribution cannot be overstated. Their precision, strength, and versatility enable the aerospace sector to reach new heights and expand our understanding of the universe. As we look to the future, it’s clear that cranes will continue to play an indispensable role in propelling humanity’s aerospace endeavors, making the seemingly impossible missions a reality. So, let’s remember to look up and acknowledge these mechanical marvels for their silent but vital contribution to our journey beyond the skies.

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