Category: Legal Branding

Legal Branding

Top Trends in the Construction Sector for 2022

on August 23, 2022

The construction industry has experienced some unprecedented situations and drastic changes in recent years. And while many predicted this would impact the industry in quite devastating ways, the opposite was actually true. The sector slowly turned to technology and innovative solutions for overcoming common challenges, completely transforming traditional operations in the process. As a result, new trends and tendencies emerged in the industry, all shaping to make construction a smarter and more efficient field in the near future. With that in mind, here are just some of the many important trends affecting the construction sector right now:

Modular building

The modular building represents the process of constructing buildings off-site, under controlled factory conditions and using the same standards and materials as conventional construction, and then putting together the produced building parts (modules) on site. This process can cut construction times in half and significantly reduce costs, which may explain its growing popularity. This type of building has proved to be particularly useful for time and noise-sensitive projects, making solutions such as modular classrooms particularly appealing options for educational facilities. Modular construction can provide space solutions to schools all over the world, eliminating disruptive open construction sites.

3D printing

Even though we’re still far from being able to produce 3D-printed structures on a larger scale, this technology is slowly revolutionizing the entire industry. 3D printing is most commonly used for practical solutions at the moment, such as producing materials, equipment parts, and building components. Smaller-scale projects have also been completed around the world using 3D printing, including tiny homes, villas, and office buildings. But right now, it seems like 3D printing technology will have the most practical utilization in building low-income and emergency homes to fight the current housing crisis. The better turnaround times and lower waste produced with this process make 3D printing even more appealing.

Greener materials

Along with modular building and 3D-printed solutions, new construction materials are starting to dominate the market as well. From recycled materials and engineered wood to bendable concrete and similar developments, eco-friendly materials are being used more than ever before. This is likely due to the rise in sustainability needs among consumers, and growing government incentives and green goals across the globe. However, it turns out that sustainable building materials are more cost-effective as well, allowing construction companies to remain environmentally conscious while reducing their overall expenses in these changing landscapes.

Smarter cities

Cities are beginning to evolve as well, mostly in an effort to increase the quality of life, improve economies, and enhance sustainability efforts. Smart cities are now implementing tech in the process of construction, whether that means using WiFi-enabled lighting or including pedestrian sensors. As a result, designers and builders alike have to improve their technical knowledge if they want to keep up with changing environments and remain competitive. The internet of things (IoT), public transport, “smart roads”, and waste management should all be studied to prepare for this shift.

Need for efficiency

The current digital transformation tendencies continue to make companies more flexible and agile organizations across all sectors. But when it comes to the construction industry, this might mean that net profits will remain lower in the foreseeable future. Combined with the current volatility of building material markets, it seems like optimization will be the best possible choice for most construction firms. It can be achieved by focusing on efficiencies and cost-saving options, being mindful of the way fluctuating costs are affecting estimates, bids, and budgets, and then planning operations accordingly.

Declining workforce

While a shortage of qualified labor is a continuing trend in construction, this issue is only getting worse. Job openings in the industry continue to increase, reaching around 50%, but new hires make up less than 15% at the moment. This has created a devastating labor shortage that impacts everything from construction operations to customer satisfaction. Investing in human resources departments can aid companies in retaining the best workers and finding new ones efficiently. Other helpful aspects include investments in construction equipment, workflow automation, competitive wages and bonuses, apprenticeships, and similar solutions.

Construction digitalization

As technology evolves, the construction industry continues to be impacted in more specific ways. For instance, self-driving vehicles are used for material and equipment transportation, robotic labor is leveraged for streamlining repetitive tasks, drones can perform surveying and inspections, sensors can enhance on-site safety, and artificial intelligence (AI) could create collaborative designs and smarter projects management. This reduces the need for human labor and increases overall efficiency, thus giving construction companies a wide array of choices in terms of boosting productivity and achieving better project outcomes.

Evidently, technology is already driving the construction industry in 2022, a factor that will only become more prominent in the following years. Partnering with more tech-savvy businesses may be key to future success.

Hotel room
Legal Branding

5 Hotel Lighting Design Ideas to Create a Seamless Guest Experience

on August 3, 2022

Find out how hotel properties can benefit from better lighting design including lighting control systems and transitional lights

Interior of spacious lobby

A fancy golden hotel lobby is well decorated

In the hospitality industry, the guest experience is paramount. From the second a guest walks through the front doors of a hotel, they should have their needs met at all times. Since hotels are such busy atmospheres, it can be difficult to discern the impact of lighting design on the guest experience. In reality, lighting is one of the most important aspects of hotel design. From the lobby to the guest rooms, every area of the property should be lit in an appropriate, safe, and appealing way. In fact, good lighting can actually boost a guest’s mood upon arrival—it is that powerful!

To give you a bit of guidance as to what hotels should prioritize in terms of lighting, we’re going over some modern lighting design ideas & trends. We hope that our examples help you identify ways to improve your property from a design, building management, and guest experience perspective. Plus, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at how commercial control systems provide superior outputs for your customers. Let’s get started and discover how hotels can use lighting principles to enhance their service and ambiance.

1. Lighting Control Systems For Common Areas and Guest Rooms

These days, it is easier than ever for hotels to implement lighting control systems for adaptive fixtures

Luxury stylish kitchen and living room

A guest room is decorated with an LED lighting package

Lighting control creates more comfortable guest rooms.

Some of the greatest recent innovations in the lighting industry are thanks to lighting control systems. Many large properties will already have lighting control systems that are used to control lights in ballrooms for special events or potentially even outdoor lighting packages to create an appealing facade. Today, we are going to be talking about how lighting control systems work in common areas and guest rooms. 

As we mentioned, lighting can change a guest’s mood as they enter the property. So, in order to provide the best possible guest experience, you should provide the ideal amount of lighting. Since outdoor light changes throughout the day, implementing adaptive lighting is the only way to ensure that guests are always receiving the right amount of light in the hotel lobby and other common areas.

It is also beneficial to make sure that guests are getting the best lighting in their rooms as well. While guests still need to be able to control the brightness of their room light, hotels can use adaptive lighting to change the hue slightly to match a natural circadian rhythm. Simply put, when guests have the right kind of lighting brightness and hue, they’ll be able to fall asleep and stay asleep more easily. 

Luckily for hotel properties, it is easier than ever to introduce adaptive lighting elements without breaking the bank to retrofit every fixture. Hotels can achieve these adaptive lighting concepts through the Internet of Things (IoT). 

An Internet of Things is a type of lighting control system that relies on WiFi connectivity to communicate between devices. In the cases we’ve just discussed, the two devices required are a light sensor and the light fixture itself. This is sometimes referred to as “smart lighting.” Communicating via the control system, the sensors instruct the lights on how to change and respond to natural lights. Using this technology, hotels can ensure that guests are getting the best lighting possible everywhere on the property.

2. Prioritize Natural Light

Use natural lighting as much as possible to integrate your property with its environment

Skylights are an excellent way to provide natural lighting for hotel lobbies.

When we spend too much time indoors, it tends to affect our mood. Going too long without natural sunlight makes anyone feel stressed, irritable, and impatient. This is especially true for travelers arriving in a hotel lobby. Your guests have likely been cooped up in a car or an airplane for the majority of their day. To combat stress caused by travel, we recommend that hotels use as much natural light as possible on their property.

Using large windows for natural light also helps tell the story of your property by showcasing the surrounding area. Whether your property is located at a tropical destination, a bustling downtown, or in a rural area, visitors will want to take a look around. By giving your guests opportunities to take in the surrounding area, they can essentially start exploring while they are in your lobby. Not to mention, the more there is for guests to view, the more time they are willing to spend in your lobby in the case of longer than normal wait times.

3. Match Lighting to Ceiling Height

When choosing lighting fixtures for common areas or rooms, make sure you are taking the ceiling height into account

Lower ceilings require recessed lighting.

Lighting design principles change based on the size of a room on your property. Essentially, your lighting design should be altered room by room based on the size and the design of the room. When planning out a lighting redesign, one of the most common mistakes made is not taking the ceiling height and composition into account. For example, if you have a large space with an exposed loft-style ceiling, you will need to choose bulbs and fixtures that are optimized to fill a room with light—including the ceiling above. For rooms like these—conference rooms, for example—you may want to use bay style lighting to properly light the room.

On the other hand, for a smaller room with a finished, plaster ceiling, it should absolutely not be lit with bay lights. For smaller rooms, recessed lights will be able to light a room properly without overlighting or influencing the room design too much.

4. Plan Out Transitional Lighting

Transitional lighting is essential to provide a seamless environment for guests

Transitional lighting helps guide the guest from room to room without barriers.

One of the key features of hotel design is the need for rooms with various different purposes. You have the lobby, guest rooms, common areas, conference rooms—and in some cases pools or restaurants. All of these areas will require slightly different lighting profiles. Because all of the areas will have different lighting, it is important that you plan for transitional lighting to avoid having areas be too bright or too dim.

For example, guests who exit a bright lobby and into a dim mood-lit hallway will likely have some difficulty adjusting. To combat this phenomenon, place transitional lights on either side of the entrance from the lobby to the hall. These transitional lights will help the guest’s eyes adapt to a change in light more gradually, as opposed to suddenly. This is also true for hotel elevators. If the elevator lighting is different from the guest floor hallway lighting, then transitional lights need to be placed in the elevator bay area to help people adjust as they find their room. 

5. Balance Task Lighting with Decorative Lighting

Hotel lighting design should make a statement, but not if it means compromising task lighting

Stylish spacious lobby

A lobby is decorated with decorative lighting and task lighting

Design is important—but providing excellent service is more important.

In a lot of hotel lobbies, the lighting acts as both a practical lighting fixture and centerpiece. Chandeliers, fountains, and other fixtures often include lighting elements that add to the ambient light in a hotel lobby. While these are great for adding to the guest experience, it is important that task lighting is prioritized as well. At the front desk, luggage check, and valet stations, there should be ample light for guests and employee communication. These lights are referred to as task lights—which means they are used for an express purpose like completing a job task. By keeping task lighting as a priority in addition to decorative lighting, designers can create fashionable and functional hotel lobby lighting landscapes.

Commercial lighting is not easy when it comes to the hospitality industry. You have to take into account the emotions and motivations of everyone who uses the space—in addition to the architectural elements. We hope that you learned a bit more about how lighting is used in hotels and got a few ideas to improve your own property. While lighting for hospitality is not an exact science, following the design ideas we’ve presented will help you create seamless lighting for an optimized guest experience.

Warehouse
Legal Branding

The Best Guide for Moving a Warehouse with Ease

on July 20, 2022

As if getting a tooth pulled or traveling a large distance through a tedious landscape, moving is a challenge nearly everyone must overcome. However, it can be sorted out by hiring the best long-distance movers. You can find the best moving companies on a moving service broker platform like Moving Apt.

It is not always lovely and seldom delightful, but it usually has a beneficial end. Moving, in particular, requires careful preparation and avoidance of moving blunders to ensure a successful outcome.

Look Closely at the Results of Your Facility

If you are relocating, you’ll have the chance to reorganize the layout of your present warehouse. This is an excellent time to iron out any creases in the distribution chain. Inquire about the efficiency of your company’s process and maintain an open mind for fresh ideas and solutions. Is reorganizing some departments more efficient? The capacity of storage racks may be better used if they were put up differently.

Is it possible to lessen travel time by shifting specific departments to various parts of the floor? Get to work designing the architecture of your new warehouse based on the most efficient version of your current facility.

Workplace Organization

Some warehouse transfers do not need any staff at all. They are simply informed they were to type in to get into the new location. Employee relocation expenditures may also fall under this category if your business is relocating substantially. You should have frequent meetings and offer them reading material, so there is no doubt about what is expected of them.

Minimize Shipping and Delivery Problems

The worst-case scenario is the mid-move realization that a big customer is due for delivery. If you are moving, it’s essential to talk to the shipping managers and devise a strategy for how shipments will be made while the warehouse is being moved. Maintain a clearly labeled location for goods that need to be sent so that they are not mixed up with other shipments and end up in a different warehouse.

Pay Attention to Even the Smallest Modifications

In addition to updating your mailing address, you must request mail forwarding and transfer utilities such as power and broadband to your distribution facility. These minor issues may easily slip through the cracks, but they can result in substantial delays if ignored.

Your Permissions Should Be Up To Date

Your warehouse transfer might be halted if you do not have the proper papers. The proper construction, fire, occupancy, and other permissions must be obtained before relocating your warehouses. Make sure businesses have the proper documentation and procedures by checking with your local towns. This is particularly crucial if you are relocating to a new state, city, or county since codes may differ widely from place to place.

Make a Well-Intentioned Plan

Planning the complete move from start to end is essential. Staff and workers need to be aware that many of them will have to take on new duties for short periods, and the sooner you start the better.

Setting a budget and a cost plan might help avoid any unexpected costs. Consider if you will need to buy more racks or shelves for the distribution facility and how much workforce it will take to set up the new operations.

Deliveries Are Nearing, So Consider Them

Consider if you will receive shipments either during the transfer and plan appropriately. It is advantageous to get deliveries post-move, but if the notion of checking in many deliveries before moving into a new home is frightening, you may want to have them delivered before the transfer.

Remember the Essentials of a House-Moving Organizing Plan

The logistical challenges make it easy to ignore the little details while moving a warehouse. Send out a change of address notice, forward mail, and plan the transfer of utilities such as phone and internet service providers.

Fill The Workplaces

There is a strong chance you have offices in your storage facility. Individuals may be responsible for their own offices if there are many offices, or at least for personal things.

Look At the New Warehouse’s Design

Analyze your current process and determine whether a different setup at your new site will be more beneficial to your company.

It is possible to plan depending on an imagined warehouse form before deciding on new premises. Remember, though, that you may have to make a few concessions. Upright positioning is a key contrast between earlier manufacturing warehouses and contemporary ones, with the former being close together without much consideration for storage architecture.

In other words, you should plan for more room than you think you’ll need so you can adjust to how a new facility looks.

Conclusion

Make as many lists as you need for the relocation, and do not feel bad about it! Make sure to phone the relocation company a week before confirming the relocation.

Brand
Legal Branding

6 Reasons Brand Image is Important for Your Business

on July 19, 2022

Forbes indicates that business branding is more important than you might think. Business branding is more than your company logos, name, and colors. It includes everything that gives identity to your business, making it distinct from competitors. Your business brand image brings out what your enterprise stands for. In today’s business environment, a positive brand image is a more crucial component of business than ever. Proper branding based on the technology will give your company an edge in the competitive business environment.

Below are reasons why the brand image is important for your business.

1. Improves Recognition of Your Business

Among the reasons to create a brand image for your business is to make it recognized. Therefore, if your business branding is positive and strong, customers will notice it more. Solid branding makes your business remain in peoples’ minds longer.

So, your business should possess visual elements like a distinct logo to make it unforgettable to your customers. You can also use customized embossed stationery to make an enduring impression on your customers. You can use it on; thank you notes for special occasions like when appreciating your loyal customers. Embossing is a stylish way to present your business name or logo, leaving a lasting impression.

2. Helps to Create Trust

A reputable brand image will generate a lot of trust among your clients. A trusted brand will create a good perception amongst customers and the public in general. Consequently, your brand will earn a positive reputation making your brand to be robust.

Nevertheless, your branding should not only strike a healthy level of trust between your company and its stakeholders but also maintain it. You can attain this if you can set realistic promises that strategically position your brand in the market and then deliver on the promises.

Once the promise is delivered, trust automatically builds in your clients’ thoughts. Indeed, trust will distinguish your brand and give your company a competitive advantage in the crowded market.

3. Motivates Your Employees

Every employee takes pride in working for a company with a strong brand name. The satisfaction that comes with working in such a company is a strong motivating factor. Nothing is as fulfilling for an employee as working for a reputable brand. It gives job satisfaction and makes working for such a company both pleasant and fulfilling.

More importantly, your employees are part of the stakeholders of your brand image. They form the first line of communication for your brand hence the first ambassadors. If your employees associate well with your brand, they will disseminate it to customers and other strategic partners. Remember! Your employees interact more frequently with company partners.

4. Branding Brings New Customers

One of the benefits of a good brand is to increase referral business. When your company has a strong brand image, it creates a positive impression on clients. Customers like a familiar and dependable company based on the brand’s trust. Consequently, they will likely engage in business because of your company’s good name.

All that counts is establishing a good perception of your brand in the market. What follows is the influx of new customers. So, a positive reputation will drive a chain of new clients to your brand leading to more purchases.

5. Branding Boosts Business Value

advertising-brand-branding

Branding is crucial if you are focused on generating future business ventures. If your brand is solid, it can boost your business value by giving your company extra leverage over competitors. Eventually, your company becomes an attractive investment vehicle since it is well grounded in the market.

When your brand earns a good reputation, its rise in value will be consummated. So, a robust standing is equivalent to a strong brand, in turn, rendering into great value. Apart from being an asset, a business brand holds fiscal value. Hence, it increases the general worth of your company.

6. Supports Your Advertising Efforts

Advertising is one of the most vital elements of your brand image. You should stage a comprehensive promotion of your brand if you are to expand. If you want to create a good brand image, you must focus. Subsequently, you will be able to create a lasting positive impression of your company in clients’ minds.

Concluding Remarks

The concept of branding is an ever-evolving subject. It encompasses several areas of expertise, such as marketing, business management, and psychology. While the brand image is not the same as marketing, the two are subordinate to one another.

If the idea of building a brand name from scratch sounds daunting to you and would prefer to start a business with an already established & trusted brand name for a low fee you should consider opening a franchise business. You can find the best franchises available in the United Kingdom at a website called www.franchise-uk.co.uk.

 

Guest post contributed by Tracie Johnson

Legal BrandingPersonal Branding

10 Licenses you Need to Open a Restaurant in the US

on July 8, 2022

Opening a restaurant, like any business, is a long and complicated process. Once you’ve got a solid business plan and investors, the next step is the most difficult and time-consuming part of the process, the licensing. While different states may vary slightly on the exact licenses you need to have to open a restaurant, these are some of the ten most important licenses you will need to open a restaurant in the US.

1. Business License

The very first thing you are going to need to open a restaurant or any business at all in the United States is a business license. This allows new businesses to be recognized as legal entities.

Depending on your new restaurant’s location, you may have to pay a yearly fee for this, or a percentage of your total sales.

If you are planning to sell alcohol in your restaurant, you will need to apply for both a state business license and an additional federal business license.

2. Employer Identification Number (EIN)

As well as a business license, every business in the US must obtain an employee identification number to operate. The EIN is given to every business by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and serves as a tax ID number. However, be warned that the IRS only issues one EIN each day, so be prepared for a long wait on this one.

3. Certificate of Occupancy

After your business location passes its final building inspection, your city’s local zoning or building department will issue you with a certificate of occupancy. This will legally state that the building has been built and maintained to an adequate standard.

4. Liquor License

If you want to serve alcohol at your restaurant, you will need to know how to get a liquor license. Depending on your state, you may have to apply for a liquor license as well as a beer and wine license. These applications can take months to process so make sure to start this process as early as you’re able.

5. Food Service License

wedding-invitations

You can usually apply for a food service license from your city or county health department. They will usually then visit your restaurant to ensure that all food safety regulations are being followed. Once you have successfully gained this license, the health department will regularly visit your restaurant for inspections. If at any point you are found to fail one of these inspections, you may face losing your food service license.

6. Building Health Permit

In some states, it is required that all restaurant buildings are inspected for a building health permit, particularly if you are building the location yourself.

This could be included in your business license, however, you should be sure to double-check if your state requires a building health permit too.

7. Employee Health Permit

As well as a health permit for your building, you will need to get a health permit for every employee who is handling food and beverages. There are specific training resources available from the FDA for employee health and food protection. In most cases, employees will need to complete a state-approved food handler’s course and gain a food handler’s permit. This teaches employees important food safety points such as proper sanitation practices, food handling, and food storage to ensure food safety in your business.

8. Sign Permit

Every business or storefront will want to put up a sign to market their business and attract customers from the streets. However, before you put up a sign you will need to be awarded a sign permit from your city government. Each city has its own regulations about what size, lighting, and locations are acceptable for your business’s sign. It is also important if you are renting or leasing the building your business is in to make sure you get written approval from your landlord to display your sign as well as the state-issued sign permit.

9. Music License

All good restaurants will play music to create an atmosphere and personality. To avoid any copyright infringement claims you will need to purchase a music license to cover all forms of music from a CD to streaming services to live music performances.

Playing copyrighted music without first purchasing a license could incur a fine of anywhere between $750 to $30,000 so this license is well worth the fee.

10. Seller’s Permit

A seller’s permit is something that allows a business to be identified by the state as a collector of sales tax. This is a particularly important permit in the state of California. In other states, this may be referred to as a “sales tax permit” or license. This is important for most businesses in the US, particularly restaurants and other businesses handling food and drink.

Legal Branding

What are the Key Benefits of Sales CRM for Small Businesses?

on June 27, 2022

Small businesses needlessly waste time, effort, and financial resources trying to manually manage all prospects and optimize their sales processes. Implementing a sales CRM system can make your sales processes much more efficient and effective for all teams.

A customer relationship management system is a centralized platform your teams can use to shorten the sales cycle, personalize the customer experience, and build lifelong brand advocates. But that’s just the beginning.  

In reality, there are many benefits to using a sales CRM tool over the long term, allowing you to add value to your business and minimize financial waste. Let’s talk about the key benefits of sales CRM and how it can help you take your small business to the next level.

Seamless and effective contact management

The first and probably the most obvious pain point that a good CRM can solve is contact management. Small businesses struggle to manage all their prospects, customers, and suppliers efficiently, let alone set follow-up tasks or organize the sales process per the customer’s unique requirements.

marketingfounders

A comprehensive sales CRM system allows you to:

  • Track and organize all prospects and customers
  • Contact them and communicate with them in a personalized way
  • Identify the stage they’re at in their journey
  • Optimize your approach according to their location in the sales funnel
  • Communicate all information with other teams to align your strategies
  • Set follow-up tasks for each contact and outline the next steps toward conversion

Efficient and effective contact management allows your teams to manage your sales pipeline as well, which is the next important benefit of sales CRM.

Enhance support and personalization with detailed reports

Sales optimization and improvement rely heavily on business intelligence. You need the right data and insights to guide your decision-making process and allow your teams to build personalized strategies for customer acquisition and retention. 

The beauty of sales CRM in a small business environment is that it provides you with actionable reports and allows you to visualize your data so that you can monitor and improve your performance. As your company grows and you continue to handle an increasing number of leads and customers, your CRM tool will be able to scale its reporting to fit your evolving needs.

This allows your teams to retain a detailed overview of all sales processes, analyze their performance and KPIs, and adapt on the fly.

Efficiently manage your sales pipeline

Successful sales teams need to be able to track all sales opportunities from the moment they become qualified leads to the moment they become devoted brand advocates. This is a long and resource-intensive process that you cannot do manually, at least not in a cost-effective way if you’re looking to incentivize business growth.

When using a sales CRM tool, your sales experts can easily track all leads and nurture them until they become paying customers. The great thing about sales CRM is that it allows you to create detailed sales opportunities and assign value to each potential deal, which is data you can use to prioritize leads, optimize your approach, and create more accurate sales forecasts.

5 Famous Rebrands and What We Can Learn From Them

Manage your workload with tasks and calendars

When leads start piling up and your sales opportunities continue to grow, your sales, marketing, and support teams will find themselves unable to effectively manage everything at once. To avoid confusion and costly setbacks like missed sales opportunities, you need a sales CRM system to manage the teams’ workload.

Pulling the data directly from your CRM allows you to schedule and prioritize tasks, making sure to maintain contact with each prospect regardless of their position in the sales funnel. Needless to say, this will also help you encourage customers to come back for more. When a marketer decides that the lead is ready to transition over to one of your sales experts, they can easily assign the task to a salesperson who will then take full advantage of the opportunity.

This ensures that no prospect is left behind.

Guide customers through the buyer’s journey

One of the biggest perks of a dedicated sales CRM system is that you can use all the data within to seamlessly guide your prospects and customers through their journey. Always keep in mind that different customers are at different stages of that journey, so your sales experts need to adapt their approach for each prospect.

If a customer is at the discovery stage, your salesperson cannot try to push an offer their way just yet. On the other hand, if a customer is ready to buy, your sales experts need to optimize their communication to finalize the deal. For instance, let’s say you provide social media services for local businesses. A thorough social media strategy proposal can be enough to get your deal over the line for leads that are more or less ready to buy. Your CRM tool will ensure they always take the right approach. 

Over to you

Using a sales CRM in your small business is one of the best ways to empower your sales, marketing, and support teams to boost lead management, conversion, and customer lifetime value. A comprehensive CRM system will allow you to manage all aspects of the buyer’s journey and optimize all sales processes to convert quickly but also build lifelong brand-consumer relationships.

Software testing
Legal Branding

What is Regression Testing: a Complete Guide

on June 8, 2022

Gone are the days when software testing was considered an afterthought. Today, it works well in tandem with the software development process. Surviving in the ever-changing world of digitalization is not easy but it’s a doable job when you outdo yourself by creating a strong, scalable, robust online presence. Fortunately, you will come across a plethora of software testing companies that offer it all right from software development to designing, software testing, QA services, migration, maintenance, and support. 

Of course, considering these types in the first place is a wise decision to make. Other than that, you should know the importance of each phase of the software development life cycle. However, since we have a limited amount of time here I won’t be able to explain it all but I can certainly shed some light on one of the crucial phases of the software development life cycle, i.e. Regression Testing. 

The following post emphasizes what Regression Testing is. Why is it important while conducting software development if you want to stand ahead of the crowd? So without any further ado, let’s begin!  

Introducing Regression Testing 

 In simple words, Regression Testing is a mere software testing practice executed by a software testing service provider just to make sure that the developed application works systematically even after there is a slight change in the code or any major updates take place. Now tell me what happens when yellow gets mixed with red by mistake? It turns orange, right? Similarly, when conducting any software development project, changes and modifications are bound to happen and one small change or tweak can make or break things to a great extent. Not to mention that it can result in heart-breaking consequences and losses. Here’s when regression testing comes to play. 

This kind of software testing is done just to make sure that no small or big change affects the existing functionality of the software. Other than keeping the software functionality intact, regression testing is done to identify and resolve bugs, these can be the ones that are newly introduced due to the change or the previous ones which have been eradicated. Now testing every time a new update is released can be pretty overwhelming and time-consuming. And maybe this is the main reason why most software developers used to skip or ignore this phase and simply test those essential functions just to ensure that everything works fine. 

In other words, regression testing in the earlier phase wasn’t given much importance. Fortunately, the table seems to have turned these days. Today, both software developers and testers are well-aware of the fact that even a small change can create a ripple effect resulting in insignificant outcomes. With Regression Testing, Different software test cases are created and re-executed to check whether the predetermined functionality of the mobile app is working as it is supposed to be and despite new changes being introduced. 

When to conduct regression testing in the software development life cycle? Since regression testing is performed to verify all the changes made. It is supposed to be performed after implementing new functionality or change in the development project. Now, whenever you conduct a  software development project, what happens is it takes several months and sometimes years to complete, so what will you do? Will you take regression testing in the end or will you keep testing parallel to the development process? Of course, testing simultaneously. In fact, it may quite interest you to know that the real logic of regression testing is to take retests again and again. 

Let me explain by using an example – Imagine you own a software development company and the client asked you to develop a project, an app development for creating images and editing videos. So what you do is, you will come up with the first draft that comprises all the core features required. After that, you are supposed to conduct regression tests and send them to the client for their valuable feedback. 

Though the client is happy with your work but wants a certain extra bunch of features to be added. So again what you do is, your team begins developing those features into the existing app. Now do you think by making a few changes or codes, the entire app will be the same as it was before? Of course, not! One small change in code can make or break the entire app. Therefore before you relaunch the app, it is important to conduct regression testing just to verify new features and functionalities of the app. Further below I would like to mention certain benefits of conducting regression testing

Why Regression Testing Must be Considered in the First Place?

Cut-throat competition is one of the core reasons why businesses are compelled towards leveraging the power of technology. To come up with an intuitive and intimidating solution, you must consider conducting regression tests with the ongoing software development procedure. Software testing is no joke, in fact, it’s a highly technical operation requiring a professional with immense knowledge and experience. Further, I would like you to get acquainted with certain benefits offered by Regression Testing. Take a look! 

#1 High-end Software

One of the obvious benefits of regression testing is that here you are bound to receive high-end software. In the present scenario, developing software is no longer considered an innovative approach. In fact, it has become something that has to be done mandatorily. However, what’s more, surprising is that you need to come up with software that outshines its existing competitors. And this is when regression testing provides assurance. It lets software developers know which bug is causing the problem and which one needs to be modified or discarded. 

#2 Increased Efficiency 

 Do you think regression testing is supposed to be done only manually? Of course, not! Today several automated testing programs have been created that specialize in conducting precise, safer, and accurate regression tests. All you have to do is come up with some testing parameters and then allow the automation tool to do its job. The key is to allow your software to re-run every test and identify potential errors. 

These automation regression testing tools result in increased efficiency as programmers can focus on other core competencies as well. 

#3 Minimizing Risk

Software development is no easy thing to do, it takes a hell lot of time, money, and effort. Now can you tell me, how many apps and software are being developed in an hour? I am sure it’s way more than you think. And what if, after investing so much time, money, and energy, your app gets discarded after a single use by the end-user? That’s the worst nightmare, isn’t it? With Regression Testing, all the decisions taken will be well-informed and all the bugs will be avoided prior. 

When there is a need for regression testing? 

  • When you want to add extra features
  • In case of any adjusted conditions
  • In case, if the app doesn’t work well in regards to performance
  • If you want to optimize the code
  • In case of a bug repair or defect             

Final Verdict

I hope now you have realized the significance of regression testing. Some of the best tools to consider for conducting regression tests include – TimeShiftX, Skill test, serenity, TestingWhiz, Advent QEngine, Test Complete, etc. Regression testing is all about trial and error, so make the most of it! Don’t make random choices, instead find a reliable software development company around and get started! 

work culture
Legal Branding

Why Tradies Need Workwear: 10 Benefits for Tradespeople and Business Owners

on May 3, 2022

If you’re wondering why tradies always walk around in workwear, it’s not because they know they look great! 

Tradie Workwear has many purposes and benefits for both workers on the job and the businesses employing them. 

To find out more, read our article all about workwear and why tradies need it. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide, including 10 benefits of tradie workwear.

Types of Workwear

Tradie workwear is about more than just high-vis vests, orange pants, and overalls. Workwear can range from everyday clothing to protective gear. Some people may classify Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as workwear while other people categorize it separately.

Tradie workwear includes both men’s workwear and women’s workwear, and a lot of worksite apparel is gender-neutral.

Some of the most common kinds of workwear include:

  • Polos
  • Shirts
  • T-shirts
  • Shorts
  • Trousers
  • Overalls
  • Jackets
  • Wet weather gear
  • Jumpers
  • Safety vests
  • Protective gear
  • Disposable workwear
  • Safety footwear 
  • Non-safety footwear
  • Gumboots
  • Workwear accessories, including socks, shoelaces, and boot polish 

The Top 10 Benefits of Workwear for Tradies and Business Owners

1. Durable and Long Lasting

Tradies work hard, and the gear they wear needs to work just as hard. You might be exposed to chemicals, coarse materials, or harsh weather conditions. Your clothes could also get worn down through general wear and tear and constant washing.

Modern workwear is made from fabrics that are strong yet lightweight and comfortable. A tradie’s workwear will be resistant to damage from both accidents and wear and tear. If small rips do occur, they are often prevented from spreading due to the durability of the fabric.

2. Made for Safety

Not all workwear is PPE, but most workwear can play a role in protecting you onsite. Workwear is great for tradies because it reduces the risk of injuries, accidents, and unwanted time off. For business owners, safety workwear assists with compliance increases productivity, reduce legal liabilities, and keeps your team on the job.

Workwear can protect against physical damage, chemical and biological exposure, ergonomic injuries, and a range of other safety hazards. High-vis workwear increases visibility and reduces the risk of associated injuries, while sun-protective workwear can minimize heat exhaustion, sunburn, and related injuries.

3. Complete Comfort On the Job

Tradies don’t spend a lot of time sitting around on the job or working indoors, so they need uniforms that can stand up to an active outdoor lifestyle! Workwear ensures you and your team are comfortable all day long.

Tradie workwear is designed to be breathable so you can keep cool while you’re working outdoors. It is also designed to move and stretch with you. This allows you to reach, lift, pull, and perform a range of other tasks without limiting your movement or causing discomfort.

4. Look at the Part on the Worksite

Presentation is important in the workplace, even when your workplace is a construction zone.

If you want to win contracts, earn repeat customers, and make a great impression on every worksite, presentable workwear is one small but effective way of doing it. First impressions are important and wearing high-quality workwear will help to create a positive impression of your business. You can even personalize your workwear, so it better represents your brand and brings your team together!

Investing in premium tradie workwear will ensure your team looks great, even after long days on the job. Premium products are designed to last longer, even in harsh environments, meaning you don’t have to keep replacing your workwear just to maintain presentability.

5. Men’s Workwear and Women’s Workwear

Comfortable, practical workwear is available for tradies of all shapes and sizes, including both men and women. While a lot of workwear is completely gender-neutral, some items will be designed for just men or women.

Footwear is often separated for men and women, with ladies’ safety footwear available in women’s sizes and foot styles. You can also get items like polos and jackets for both men and women.

Whether you’re looking for men’s workwear or women’s workwear, it’s easier than ever to find options for every tradie!

6. Remain Compliant As An Employer

Safety is one of the most important priorities on a worksite. While safety is a matter for both workers and employers, the burden of responsibility often falls on employers.

Luckily, you can get the workwear that is compliant with Australian laws, regulations, and policies. Your company might also have standards that need to be adhered to, and shopping for compliant workwear is a great way to meet those standards. Rather than relying on your team to provide their own gear, you can standardize and streamline the whole process by investing in your own workwear.

7. An Economical Option

Workwear is generally affordable to buy, but the true value comes in the long term. Tradie workwear is specifically designed for the job, meaning it will last longer, feel better, and need replacing less often. The less you need to replace your gear, the more money you will save in the long term!

When it comes to workwear, make sure you buy gear that’s affordable but not cheap for maximum value for money.

8. Protect the Rest of Your Clothes

There are plenty of great things about being a tradie, and not having to wear your everyday clothes is one of them. Unlike many office workers, you don’t need to worry about picking out your outfit for the day.

Not having to wear your casual clothes also means they will last longer because let’s face it, your jeans and your favorite shirt wouldn’t last long on a work site! 

9. Workwear for All Weather Conditions

As we’ve already mentioned, tradies often find themselves working outside. Many tradies have to work through all weather conditions, from the beating sun to the drizzling rain, cold and dark mornings to windy afternoons.

Of course, there are rules about working in inclement weather, and eventually, the site manager might call tools down. In the meantime, it’s good to know that there is workwear to keep you warm, keep you cool, protect you from the sun, wind, and rain, and keep you visible in low light. 

10. Workwear Customisation Offers a Range of Advantages

You can get custom workwear thanks to embroidery and screen printing services. These services allow you to add your logo to practically any piece of workwear, from hats to shirts to jackets.

Custom workwear offers instant branding and advertising for your business. It promotes a sense of professionalism and it’s also a great way to promote camaraderie and unity between your workers. 

Multiple companies are often working onsite at once, and workwear that’s embroidered with logos is a great way to ensure your team is remembered!

Final Thoughts: You Can’t Go Past Workwear for Your Team

There are plenty of reasons to invest in high-quality workwear and practically no reason not to! When you’re searching for tradie workwear, look for a company that covers all your needs, including embroidery and screen printing services for your custom design requirements.

Legal Branding

Why Horse Dressage Boots are Important?

on April 11, 2022

Is it important to protect the horse’s legs during schooling or flatwork? And, more importantly, do horse Dressage Boots require the same level of safety as show jumpers? So many inquiries, right! What provides the finest safety for dressage horses is what this article is all about. Boots, splints, or wraps? It’s tough to determine what to choose as a rider because your decision may be affected by look, brand, reputation, or price.

Why use Horse Dressage Boots?

Wearing boots does not ensure that your horse will completely be protected from injuries. However, studies have demonstrated that protection can also assist absorb part of the stress associated with an accident. Protection is especially critical if your horse has a lot of action in his gaits, has had an injury, or ‘interferes,’ that is if one or more of his hooves often collide with another leg during movements.

In addition, if you’ve ever witnessed a dressage horse crosses his front and rear legs laterally across the arena, you’ll understand how ‘interference’ injuries might arise.

Horse Dressage Boots is a type of boot or wrap that protects a horse’s lower leg or hooves from injury. Things like walking on uneven ground or having a different gait could cause these injuries. Horse boots protect a horse’s hoof and also help to lessen the pain when it hits the ground. In the past, have you ever seen a scab on the inside of the fetlocks of your horse? This could be because your horse has been brushed or rough-played in the field. He may need boots. If your horse often hurts the inside of his pastern or fetlock, has a more severe injury, or walks on the rough ground a lot. Therefore, boots will help keep him safe.

Types of Horse Boots

There is a lot of different kind of horse boots that safeguard your horse’s lower leg and hoof in various ways.

  • Bell Boots

This Horse Dressage Boot is made of a bell shape that covers the entire hoof and safeguards the heel too. Bell boots are also known as overreach boots. That you can use to prevent horses from overreaching, which occurs when their front heels collide with their hind feet’s toes. They are suitable for riding or for use in the paddock. Bell boots shield the hooves from the abrasive or muddy ground, as well as from colliding with a hard surface while jumping or navigating obstacles. Horses may wear these boots on either the front or back.

  • Hoof Boots

When a horse is hurt, These Horse Dressage Boots protect the horse’s sole. In addition, you can use them in place of horseshoes when the horse is hurt. When a horse can’t wear shoes for medical reasons, or when it loses a shoe, you can use hoof boots. Also, you can use it when a horse is transitioning from wearing shoes to not wearing shoes or when it can’t wear shoes. In all kinds of riding, these things protect the sole of the horse’s hoof from rough ground.

  • Tendon Boots

Horses wear tendon boots on their front legs. It safeguards the tendon area from being hit by the hind hooves when you land a jump, which can happen. This is because when a horse’s hoof brushes against the inside of the leg, it can cause injuries. Hence, you can use Horse Dressage Boots to protect your horse’s leg from injury.

Additionally, open-fronted boots allow a horse to feel a pole when leaping. Closed-tendon boots protect both the front of the leg and the tendon area. A lot of people use them at events because solid fences can be dangerous.

Conclusion

Horse Dressage Boots benefits your horses in numerous ways. It can help you to protect your horse’s leg from injury. Further, you can find them in various sizes, styles, and colors. Hence, you can choose the best for your horse and enjoy your ride.

Legal BrandingLocal Branding

How the Oil and Gas Industry Can Improve Sustainability 

on April 8, 2022

When thinking about all the environmental disasters and catastrophes going on in the world, most people blame the oil and gas industry, thinking these people are responsible for everything. While this assumption is, of course, completely untrue, people in this industry are still trying to improve their image and get rid of all that bad press. One of the ways to do that is by improving their sustainability and making their companies green and eco-friendly. Doing that might not be the easiest thing in the world, but it’s doable, and if you’re involved in this industry as well, here are a few ways you can make the entire oil and gas industry more sustainable than it’s ever been.

Recycling unused oil

This is another amazing way to take your sustainability in the oil industry to the next level, and it’s probably among the most useful ones too. Instead of dumping used and unused oil and endangering the environment, you should recycle it and give it a new purpose. You don’t have to do it yourself either, PROS Environmental team has been of great help throughout the years. Turning oil into diesel fuel, for instance, isn’t just a great way to reduce your waste but also get some new energy you can actually use.

This way, you’ll get the best of both worlds and create a circle of sustainability you can continue developing in the years to come as well. This means your sustainability factor is going to rise until it reaches the point you’re satisfied with. Finally, this is also a great idea to share with other industry leaders, inspiring them to become more sustainable themselves.

Relying on drones

Whether it’s monitoring your offsite facilities or tracking your onsite development, using drones is definitely one of the best ways to boost your sustainability. These amazing vehicles are useful in a number of ways and come with a few benefits – easier data gathering, better communication, improved safety, and faster data flow, among other things – which is why you need to consider using them as well.

The real reason why drones are so sustainable is their benefit to cost ratio. Investing money in them is something you’ll do just once, but you can continue using them in the years to come without having to spend too much money maintaining and servicing your drones. And the more you use them the more sustainable they’ll become, so don’t be afraid to invest in several drones as soon as you can.

Using new equipment

Following the latest technological advancements in the oil and gas industry means following the latest equipment on the market. These things are changing rapidly, and you’d be surprised to learn how many new devices and tools are being developed as we speak. For example, Electric Pressure Washers in South Texas are being used to clean equipment without using chemicals or wasting too much water. So, if you want to be even more sustainable and eco-friendly, finding the most sustainable equipment is a must.

Some of the most popular and useful new oilfield equipment include various rupture disc valves, drilling tools, surface pumps, and gate valves. These are all the things that can make a huge difference in your everyday production and take your company to the next level when it comes to both your sustainability and your effectiveness.

Investing in green energy

We all know that traditional energy sources are bad for the environment and as far from being sustainable as possible. That’s why avoiding them at all costs is something you need to start doing right now and look into alternative energy sources instead. Luckily, there are lots of alternatives you can look into, so finding new sources of energy shouldn’t be too hard – what’s more, a few oil companies are already doing that for some time! 

For instance, looking into solar energy, wind power, hydrogen, and a few other green energy sources might turn out to be more effective than you can imagine. When compared to traditional sources, all these ideas are quite affordable, practical, and, most importantly, completely renewable. This means you can continue using them over and over again, thus making your company increasingly sustainable every single year.

It goes without saying that these aren’t the only ways for the oil and gas industry to become more sustainable. Some of the other ideas include managing risks more effectively, avoiding small mistakes that can become fatal, using recycled water instead of fresh water, and preventing methane leaks as much as possible.

1 2 3 4 … 22