Stay with your current custom built ERP or go with a New system?

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Stay with your current custom built ERP or go with a New system?

A critical management decision presents itself to companies that outgrow their custom made ERP systems or feel like they have! The way to navigate the decision around this topic can be tricky and therefore requires a framework to cover your bases.

Some of the overall considerations may include these:

  • Business landscape going forward – inputs/outputs

  • Client landscape going forward – evolving requirements

  • Future Compliance/legal requirements relevant to your industry (ISO 9001, 14001, 27001)

  • Future investment/investor outlook (transparency)

  • Board level requirements (justify why did we stay/go?)

  • Tech as a business support/admin function VS tech as a strategic growth enabler (digital transformation of the company to be a high tech business)

Pros and Cons of staying with your current system can be looked at in this fashion:

Pros:

  • Customization: Your system is tailored to your specific needs and processes, high flexibility and increased efficiency – do you have an industry best practice solution already in house without knowing it???

  • Control: Full control over the code (if it’s your in-house solution), data, and updates, allowing for quicker adjustments 

  • Costs: No recurring licensing fees associated with standardized solutions if its your in-house built solution

  • Integrations: no lock out risk from newer tech ecosystems

Cons:

  • Support: You are not in the IT business (non-core)…ongoing upkeep, bug fixes, and upgrades require dedicated IT resources who may leave and leave you in the lurch…(loss of knowledge)

  • Scalability: Adapting to future growth or changing needs might be challenging with a custom solution (This can be tested…)

  • Integrations: Integrating with newer technologies or third-party software can be challenging if tech is outdated (legacy environment)

  • Security: Loss of data and info risk, disaster recovery, maintaining robust security and data privacy measures might require significant expertise and resources (This can be tested…) 

Pros and Cons of leaving your current custom ERP solution can be seen as follows:

Pros:

  • Scalability: Designed to handle growth and adapt to changing business needs – cloud ready industry standard solutions 

  • Support: Dedicated vendor/MSP support for upgrades, troubleshooting, and security patches. Readily hire market professionals in-house if required. Low loss of knowledge/risk due to staff (key user and IT) leaving

  • Integrations: Pre-built integrations with various technologies and popular applications.

  • Compliance: Standard solutions have global appeal for transparency metrics

  • Security: Vendor invests heavily in robust security infrastructure and compliance.

Cons:

  • ROI: Mapping ROI of a new solution can be very difficult if not planned out carefully

  • Customization: Limited ability to customize workflows and processes to perfectly fit your needs. Need to go with standard (industry best practice) solution as much as possible 80%+ VS customization

  • Control: Vendor controls updates and upgrades, and pricing may change for these without notice

  • Change management: vital and overlooked as new systems change the way people work and can cause redundancies  

  • Costs: High cost exercise (budget and time overruns are common): recurring licensing fees, upgrades, implementation and maintenance costs add up over time (total cost of ownership – TCO).

  • Data migration: Often overlooked and underestimated – moving data from your existing system can be complex and time-consuming. (may be a one time exercise if done correctly otherwise there can be a lot of rework and data cleansing required) 

Whilst these points highlight a management case where you have a custom ERP solution made tailored to your specific industry and needs, a similar set of considerations can be applied if you have a vendors solution and have outgrown it and wish to change that solution. Where the points would defer are the cost and code considerations as a vendor would largely control those areas.

Composed by G. Fernando, ERP Services, www.erpservices.lk

5 Key Elements of Modern Web Design: Elevate Your Online Presence

The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and in the realm of web design, it’s no different. With an increasing number of businesses moving online, having a robust and modern website has never been more crucial. Here are five key elements of modern web design that can elevate your online presence:

  1. Responsive Design: In today’s mobile-centric world, your website must look and function seamlessly across all devices. A responsive design ensures that your site adjusts its layout based on the screen size, offering an optimal viewing experience for users, whether they’re on a desktop, tablet, or mobile phone.

  2. Intuitive Navigation: A user-friendly navigation structure can significantly enhance the user experience. It should be easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for without getting lost or frustrated. Dropdown menus, breadcrumb trails, and a search bar can help guide users through your site effortlessly.

  3. Engaging Visuals: The use of high-quality images, videos, and graphics can captivate your audience and convey your brand’s message effectively. Remember, your website’s visual elements should complement your content and not overpower it.

  4. Fast Load Times: A slow-loading website can deter potential customers and harm your search engine rankings. Ensure that your site is optimized for speed by compressing images, leveraging browser caching, and minimizing the use of heavy scripts.

  5. Clear Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Your website should guide visitors towards a specific action, whether it’s making a purchase, signing up for a newsletter, or contacting you. Prominent and clear CTAs can significantly increase conversion rates.

When it comes to crafting a website that embodies all these elements, it’s essential to work with experienced professionals. Mobiz International (Pvt) Ltd is a leading web design company in Sri Lanka that understands the intricacies of creating a modern, user-friendly, and SEO-optimized website. By partnering with experts like them, you can ensure that your online presence is not only beautiful but also effective in achieving your business goals.

In conclusion, modern web design is about more than just aesthetics. It’s about creating a user-centric platform that offers value, engages visitors, and drives conversions. By focusing on these five key elements and working with seasoned professionals, you can set your business up for online success.

What is Flutter ?

Flutter is an open-source UI (User Interface) framework created by Google for building natively compiled applications for various platforms, including mobile, web, and desktop. It was first released in 2017 and has gained popularity for its ability to allow developers to create high-quality, visually appealing, and performant applications with a single codebase. Here are some key aspects of Flutter:

 

  1. Single Codebase: With Flutter, you write your app’s code in the Dart programming language. You can use the same codebase to target multiple platforms, such as Android, iOS, web browsers, and even desktop operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. This approach is known as “code once, run anywhere.”

  2. Widgets: Flutter provides a rich set of customizable widgets for building user interfaces. Widgets are the building blocks of Flutter apps, and they allow developers to create complex and interactive UIs easily. Flutter widgets are highly composable, which makes it straightforward to design custom UI components.

  3. Hot Reload: One of the standout features of Flutter is its “hot reload” capability. This allows developers to see the immediate results of their code changes in the app without needing to restart it. It greatly speeds up the development and debugging process.

  4. Performance: Flutter apps are compiled to native ARM code for each platform, which leads to high performance and smooth animations. The framework’s architecture, known as the Flutter engine, ensures that apps run efficiently.

  5. Rich Ecosystem: Flutter has a growing ecosystem of packages and plugins that extend its functionality. Developers can easily add features like database integration, network requests, and third-party services through these packages.

  6. Community and Support: Flutter has a strong and active community of developers, which means you can find tutorials, documentation, and assistance easily. Google also provides extensive documentation and resources for learning Flutter.

  7. Open Source: Flutter is open-source, which means it’s freely available for anyone to use and contribute to. This openness has led to its rapid adoption and improvement.

  8. Adaptive UIs: Flutter supports the creation of adaptive user interfaces that can automatically adjust to different screen sizes, orientations, and platforms.

Flutter is a versatile framework that has found applications in a wide range of industries, from mobile app development to web development, and even in emerging areas like embedded systems. It has gained popularity among developers and organizations looking for efficient ways to build cross-platform applications with a consistent and visually appealing user experience.

 

 

can flutter used to generate android and iOS apps?

Yes, Flutter can be used to generate Android and iOS apps. Flutter is an open-source UI framework created by Google that allows developers to build natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. When you develop an app using Flutter, you write the code in the Dart programming language, and Flutter compiles it into native code for the target platform, including Android.

Flutter provides a rich set of widgets and tools for creating modern and responsive user interfaces. It also offers a wide range of plugins and packages that allow you to access platform-specific features on Android and iOS.

So, if you want to create an Android app, Flutter is a great choice because it allows you to develop a cross-platform app with a single codebase that can run on Android, iOS, and other platforms. This can save you time and effort compared to developing separate apps for each platform.

How to make your website load faster ?

Improving website loading speed is crucial for providing a positive user experience and ensuring your website ranks well in search engine results. In this article, we will explore various factors that affect website speed and provide actionable steps to optimize your website’s performance.

Understanding Website Loading Speed

Website loading speed refers to the time it takes for a webpage to fully display its content in a user’s browser. It is influenced by various factors, including:

Server Response Time:

The time it takes for your web server to respond to a user's request.

Large File Sizes:

Images, videos, and other media files can significantly slow down loading times.

Render-Blocking Resources:

CSS and JavaScript files that prevent the page from rendering until they are fully loaded.

Excessive HTTP Requests:
Sample Content.
Excessive HTTP Requests:

Numerous requests to load different resources can increase loading times.

Hosting Provider:

The quality of your hosting service affects server response times.

Website Code and Structure:

Well-organized code and optimized structure can boost loading speed.

Browser Caching:

Caching allows a browser to store some data, reducing the need for repeated requests.

How to find how fast your website is loading ?

Before you start optimizing, you need to determine your website’s current speed and performance. There are several tools available to help you with this:

Google PageSpeed Insights:

Provides insights into your website's speed on both desktop and mobile devices, along with actionable suggestions for improvement.

GTmetrix

Offers a detailed analysis of your site's loading speed, including page speed score and various performance metrics.

WebPageTest

Allows you to test your website's speed from different locations around the world.

Some quick tips to increase your website speed

Even though the overall website performance improvement process can be sophisticated and time taking, here are some common methods to improve any websites speed quicky.

Optimize Images and Media

Images and media files are often the biggest contributors to slow-loading websites. To optimize them:

Compress Images:

Use image compression tools to reduce file sizes without compromising quality.

GTmetrix

Offers a detailed analysis of your site's loading speed, including page speed score and various performance metrics.

WebPageTest

Allows you to test your website's speed from different locations around the world.

USD to LKR – Currency Exchange Rate Calculator Sri Lanka

Welcome to our USD to LKR Currency Exchange Rate Calculator Sri Lanka! Whether you’re a traveler planning a trip or a business professional involved in international trade, our calculator is designed to provide you with accurate and real-time conversion rates for the United States Dollar (USD) to Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). With our user-friendly interface and reliable data sources, you can effortlessly convert USD to LKR, plan your budget, and make informed financial decisions. Say goodbye to the complexities of manual calculations and let our calculator simplify your currency exchange needs.

 

USD to LKR Exchange Rate Calculator

LKR to USD Exchange Rate Calculator

Why do you need to convert USD to LKR ?

Converting USD to LKR, the currency of Sri Lanka, is essential for several reasons. Firstly, if you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, knowing the exchange rate allows you to accurately estimate your expenses and plan your budget accordingly. By converting USD to LKR, you can have a better understanding of the purchasing power of your money in Sri Lanka and make informed decisions about accommodations, transportation, dining, and sightseeing.

Additionally, if you’re involved in international trade or conducting business transactions with Sri Lankan partners, converting USD to LKR is crucial. It allows you to determine the cost of goods or services in the local currency and negotiate pricing effectively. By staying updated with the exchange rate, you can make informed decisions regarding import-export activities, pricing strategies, and financial forecasting.

Furthermore, understanding the USD to LKR conversion rate is valuable for individuals and investors who want to capitalize on currency fluctuations. By monitoring exchange rate trends, you can identify opportune moments to exchange or invest your funds. Whether it’s for personal financial planning or investment purposes, converting USD to LKR empowers you to make informed decisions and maximize the value of your money.

In summary, converting USD to LKR provides vital information for travelers, businesses, and investors. It enables effective budget planning, facilitates international trade, and empowers individuals to make informed financial decisions. By utilizing a reliable currency exchange rate calculator, you can conveniently convert USD to LKR and navigate the financial landscape with confidence.

 

Building high-quality backlinks

seo process in a hand drawn diagram

Building high-quality backlinks is crucial for improving your website’s search engine rankings and driving organic traffic. Here are some practical strategies to help you build good links for your website:

1. Create Compelling Content: Producing high-quality, informative, and engaging content is the foundation of a successful link-building strategy. Develop valuable resources such as blog posts, tutorials, case studies, or infographics that others in your industry will find useful and shareable.

2. Guest Blogging: Identify authoritative websites or blogs in your niche and reach out to them with guest blogging proposals. Offer to write informative and relevant articles that provide value to their audience. In return, you can include a link back to your website in the author bio or within the content if it aligns naturally.

3. Broken Link Building: Find websites in your industry that have broken links. Use tools like Check My Links (for Chrome) to identify broken links on those websites. Reach out to the site owners, notifying them about the broken links, and suggest replacing them with your relevant content.

seo process in a hand drawn diagram
SEO Sri Lanka

4. Resource Page Link Building: Look for resource pages on relevant websites that list helpful links and tools in your industry. Contact the website owners, suggesting your content as a valuable addition to their resource page. Ensure that your content truly adds value and is relevant to the existing resources.

5. Influencer Outreach: Identify influencers, bloggers, or industry experts who have a significant following and credibility. Reach out to them and offer to collaborate on content creation or seek opportunities for co-authoring articles. By leveraging their influence, you can gain exposure and earn quality backlinks.

6. Participate in Industry Forums and Communities: Join online communities, forums, and social media groups related to your business. Engage in discussions, offer valuable insights, and share your expertise. By establishing yourself as an active and knowledgeable participant, you can build relationships and earn backlinks from community members.

7. Social Media Promotion: Leverage your social media presence to promote your content and engage with your audience. Engaging content can attract attention, increase shares, and potentially lead to natural backlinks from others who find value in your content.

8. Local Business Directories: List your business on local business directories and review sites. Many directories allow you to include a website link, which can boost your local search rankings and generate relevant traffic.

Remember, building high-quality links takes time and effort. Focus on creating valuable content, building relationships within your industry, and providing genuine value to your audience. By implementing these strategies consistently, you can gradually improve your website’s link profile and enhance its search engine visibility.

Maintaining a website for optimal performance

If you have a website, you know how important it is to keep it running smoothly. A well-maintaned website can improve the user experience and increase the amount of time visitors spend on your site. It can also help you rank higher in search engines, which can drive more traffic to your site. Here are some tips for maintaining your website for optimal performance:

  1. Keep your software up to date. This includes your content management system, any plugins or themes you use, and any other software that powers your website. Outdated software can be a security risk, and it can also cause your site to run slowly or display incorrectly.

  2. Optimize your images. Large, high-resolution images can slow down your website. Be sure to resize and compress your images before uploading them to your site. You can also use lazy loading to only load images when they are needed.

  3. Minimize your code. The more code your website has to load, the slower it will be. Minimizing your code can help speed up your site. You can use a tool like WP Minify to automatically minimize your code.

  4. Use caching. Caching can help speed up your site by storing frequently accessed data in a temporary storage area. This can reduce the amount of time it takes to load your site, especially for repeat visitors. Your web designer should install a compatible caching plugin for your wordpress website before going live. 

  5. Monitor your site’s performance. Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor your site’s performance. This can help you identify areas where your site may be slow or where you may need to make improvements.

  6. Regularly backup your website. Backing up your website is crucial in case of any unforeseen issues like server crashes, hacking attempts or accidental deletion of data. Make sure you regularly backup your website files and database and store them in a secure location.

  7. Monitor website security. Ensure that your website is secure by using an SSL certificate, strong passwords, and regularly updating your website’s security plugins. You can also use website security tools to scan your website for vulnerabilities and malware.

  8. Optimize website speed. Website speed is crucial for user experience and SEO. Use website speed optimization tools to identify factors that are slowing down your website and take necessary steps to improve your website speed.

  9. Fix broken links. Broken links can negatively impact your website’s user experience and SEO. Use website broken link checker tools to identify any broken links and fix them immediately.

  10. Test your website on different devices and browsers. Make sure your website is responsive and functions correctly on different devices and browsers. Test your website on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices, and different web browsers.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your website runs smoothly and delivers an optimal experience to your users. Maintaining your website for optimal performance not only improves user experience and SEO but also helps to establish trust and credibility with your audience.

Effective eCommerce Strategies for Encouraging Online Customers to Buy​

Create Urgency

Convincing online customers to make a purchase can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies, you can increase your conversion rates and boost your sales. One of the most effective ways to persuade customers to buy is by creating a sense of urgency. By highlighting limited-time offers or low stock availability, you can create a sense of urgency that encourages customers to take action and make a purchase.

Social Proof

Another effective strategy is to provide social proof. By showcasing positive reviews and testimonials from satisfied customers, you can build trust and credibility with potential buyers. You can also create a sense of exclusivity by offering special deals or discounts to your most loyal customers, which can help to build customer loyalty and increase repeat purchases.

Free Shipping

Offering free shipping is also a proven way to persuade customers to buy. Shipping costs can be a major deterrent for online shoppers, so by offering free shipping, you can remove this obstacle and make it more attractive for customers to complete their purchase. Additionally, providing clear and detailed product descriptions, high-quality images, and customer service support can also help to instill confidence in potential buyers and encourage them to make a purchase.

High Quality eCommerce Website

Finally, it’s important to create a user-friendly and intuitive online shopping experience. By optimizing your website for ease of use and simplicity, you can make it easier for customers to navigate and find what they’re looking for. You can also streamline the checkout process by minimizing the number of steps required to complete a purchase and by offering a variety of payment options to suit different customer preferences. An experienced web developer in sri lanka should be able to help you customize this part.

By implementing these strategies and creating a seamless online shopping experience, you can increase your chances of persuading customers to buy and growing your business.

Develop a kick-as* eCommerce Website with us.