There are so many e-commerce websites available, with more coming out yearly. But to grow a successful online store, you need to know which would be favorable to the growth of your business.

There are various e-commerce tools that serve different purposes to your online business. Though all the tools can positively affect your business, but it can be rather cost intensive to engage all at once.

Different E-commerce Tools

• Website tools

To set up your store online and to help customize and manage it.

• Research tools

To find out about your competitors, identify opportunities in your niche, and learn how to improve your own site and sales campaigns

• Business tools

To manage the day-to-day operations, logistics and finances of your ecommerce store

• Marketing tools

To let the world know you exist, drive traffic, convert leads into customers, and build your brand

• Analytics tools

To tell you how well everything you’re doing is working and spot any leaks in your sales funnels

In this modern world of technology, E-commerce is slowly becoming the holy grail of marketing, as it has a comprehensive range of benefits to retailers and merchants alike.

Here we look at the benefits of E-commerce to your business

BENEFITS OF ONLINE MARKETING

Overcome geographical limitations:

Having a physical store can be limited geographically as customers may be far away from your stores location. With an e-commerce website, you can be reached from anywhere in the world. And with the advent of e-commerce applications on mobile phones, the geographical limitations has further been dissolved.

Going global

With an e-commerce website, you can sell your products and services across the world. The entire world is your playground, where you can sell a variety of products without any geographical limits.

Remain open all the time

E-commerce websites can run all the time, with the different time zones all over the world, this could potentially increase the number of orders received. The online nature of your store allows it to be opened 24/7

Monitoring customer behavior

Retailers can easily keep a constant eye on consumers’ buying habits and interests with e-commerce providing the opportunity to target marketing and promotional efforts in a more accurate way.

Cost effective

Setting-up cost is extremely low when compared to physical stores, with fewer licenses and permits needed. You can save lots of money by using fewer employees to perform operations like billing customers and managing inventory.

Now, you don’t have to invest your money in the physical store, insurance or infrastructure as all you need is a unique idea or products. CloudWare Technologies can give you a well-designed e-commerce site and proactive marketing strategy to reach your precious customers to sell your products and services. Try CloudWare Technologies Today!

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Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), enables manufacturers to have thorough insight and visibility into their operation. The software makes easy information dissemination, data integration, and business planning within an enterprise, which is extremely beneficial to manufacturers that are seeking to boost profits and cut costs within their manufacturing operation.

Key features of ERP

The ERP system integrates varied organizational systems and facilitates error-free transactions and production, thereby enhancing the organization’s efficiency. Some of the key features of a fully functional ERP software

• Integration
• Automation
• Tracking and monitoring
• Accounting
• Customer management

Limitations Of ERP

ERP is usually referred to as a category of business management software that an organization can use to collect, store, manage, and interpret data from these many business activities. But it has its limitations to a business, especially a growing business. Some of the limitations of ERP are;

Training Inefficiency

When companies don’t properly train their employees to competently make use of the ERP software, it could result in inadequate cognizance of the particular Enterprise Resource Planning vendor package being utilized. Inadequate training may lead to mishandling of the technology by employees, which results in the loss of valuable information.

Cost intensive

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is a costly software alone, and setting up the software as well can be quite cost intensive also. Depending on the scope and complexity of the company, the pricing can vary, as computer hardware, updated network equipment and security software are all necessary for implementation of proper ERP software.

High Implementation Time

Installation and training time may disturb the functionality of the organization and could impose a huge risk of loss of potential business in that particular period.

Benefits Of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Enterprise resource planning systems are an asset for many organizations. They produce easy-to-understand trends. They make your business run smoother by unifying and protecting your information. With these and many more capabilities, ERP systems makes your day-to-day operations and long-term planning more efficient. Here are some of the benefits of ERP benefits when implementing this type of software:

Focused IT costs – Instead of spending resources on multiple systems that all need dedicated staff, infrastructure, support teams and licenses, you can focus all these costs into one ERP. This can significantly unify your IT costs and improve efficiency

Total Process visibility

ERP brings about clarity. Allowing you total access to every important process in your business by making data from every department easily accessible to you and your senior management. With the employee data so easily accessible, it aids in collaborative work and a streamlined completion of tasks

Improved Reporting and Monitoring

Implementing an ERP suite across departments means your organization has a single, unified reporting system for every process. This software gives you the ability to analyze and compare functions across departments, without the hassle of multiple spreadsheets and emails.

Improved efficiency

ERP can reduce the time and effort required by your workforce to carry out their daily activities. Properly implemented, an ERP can greatly reduce or eliminate repetitive manual processes, thus freeing up team members to focus on revenue-affecting tasks.

Standardized Processes

ERP allows businesses to standardize their own processes and systems, which further enhances productivity and efficiency. These processes deliver consistent results that allow you to continually improve the way in which you operate your organization.

ERP’s reporting capabilities help you target your business’s weaknesses, ensuring stronger performance over time. Providing detailed reports that are

intuitive, actionable and relevant. CloudWare Technologies can provide an effective ERP software for your specific business that would allow complete traceability, ensuring every error, inconsistency and questionable process can be traced, corrected and prevented. Try CloudWare Technologies Today!

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Cloud file sharing involves a system where users are allocated storage space on a server and are allowed to perform read and write operations on the data they save in their space online. Cloud storage is one of the best ways to keep your business’s important data safe and accessible. As various industries have various diverse needs and objectives. When choosing a cloud service, it’s important for each business to consider its individual needs. And then select a provider that is best suited to it.

Here is a list of some of the important features you need to consider when choosing a cloud sharing service for your business.

Key Features of a cloud file sharing service

• Automatic sync

Automatic syncing capabilities are a must for business users who depend on the cloud. Services with this feature will update your files to reflect any edits you make in real time.

• View and edit files from the cloud

Business owners need to access their files at a moment’s notice, wherever they are. The best cloud sharing service provides the capability to make changes to files on the cloud and they are effected in real-time.

• Security and file encryption

Security is a top concern when you take your business to the cloud, so top cloud service providers encrypt your files at least once before it leaves your local servers.

• Flexible storage capacity at an affordable price

Your storage needs are unique to your business. Small business owners are most likely looking for a cloud storage platform that can accommodate data from five to 10 employees, with ample space at a reasonable price. Some storage platforms offer a limited amount of data for a cheap price and get progressively more expensive as they scale up.

• Reliable tech support

When it comes to your daily operations, technical difficulties can be a major limitation. If you or your employees can’t access important files when they’re needed, it could be a very big blow to productivity. Help and technical support services vary from service to service. The best services respond promptly and have someone available to help you 24/7.

Best Cloud file sharing platform

There are multiple cloud sharing services in existence now, and more are coming up by the day, each offering something different and the choice on which to use depends on the individual business needs.

Here is a list of some of the top sharing service

• DropBox

This is one of the top cloud sharing service. It provides small and medium businesses with flexible pricing plans that can be used by organizations of all sizes. It uses off-site servers for file storage and sharing. The solution allows you to automatically sync your files online and across the devices you use. Files can be managed as you do on your desktop.

• Google Drive 

This is a cloud storage service that allows you to store your files, videos, music, photos, etc. in a single location. It automatically syncs your data with all the devices linked to your account, which means they immediately receive the updates and changes you make.

• Box

This is a file-sharing service that provides secure collaboration from any device. You can use it to easily manage and share files across your companies. The service is used by more than 50,000 organizations worldwide.

• Apple iCloud

This is a cloud-based file-syncing and storage solution that enables users to store files in the cloud. The stored files are automatically synced to all devices in the account, including both Windows and Mac systems. The service comes with offerings such as the iCloud Photo Library and iCloud Drive, where you can keep all your files stored securely and updated everywhere.

• OneDrive for Business

One Drive for Business syncs files in real time, so users need not worry about working with outdated version of their documents and other files. It is regarded as one of the best file sharing application in the market, leveraging Microsoft’s vast experience and resources to provide customers with a stable and well-protected system to collaborate with shared files. As a key component of Microsoft’s Sharepoint server and Microsoft 365, the cloud-based platform provides customers with the flexibility of a fully mobile system to allow teams to work together from anywhere in the world.

• Egnyte

This can be a beneficial and valuable addition to businesses of any size looking to empower and simplify file sharing. With its auto synchronization, cloud archiving, unlimited API integrations, and many similar out-of-the-box features, Egnyte is truly a competent cloud file sharing platform.

Some Free open-source cloud sharing platform and their features

There are also some free and open source cloud sharing platforms that can still offer quality service.

• NextCloud

This is arguably the most popular open source cloud file sharing service. Apart from sharing files, it allows you to share calendars, contacts, emails and includes professional features like team collaboration and data synchronization and it packs text and video chat apps.

• Ceph

Ceph is an open source distributed object, block, and file storage platform that uses a POSIX-compliant network file system in order to provide large data storage, high performance, and optimum support for legacy applications.

• Aurora Files

Aurora Files is a developer friendly, encrypted file-sharing software. It has support for Google Drive and Dropbox as network logins, Zipped file viewer, and MS Office file viewer.

• YouTransfer

YouTransfer is an open source file transfer cloud service that has a Docker image for container users. The file transfer process works via link sharing via email, message, or any other sharing method together with an optional message.

• Pydio Cells

Pydio Cells is a Golang-based on-premise file management platform that aims to provide reliable file hosting, synchronization, and sharing. It has a strong emphasis on security and can be deployed on any server type of your choosing.

Today storing data online on cloud servers is the next big thing as it allows unlimited storage. Most companies are choosing cloud storage of files and data. CloudWare Technologies can give you quality cloud based storage and file sharing services. Providing you with the most suitable option for storing data online digitally. Try CloudWare Today!

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Communication through emails is made possible by email protocols, as they help to transmit information through the main server to the intended party. The two commonly used Email protocols are POP3 and IMAP.

POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3) provides a simple, standardized way for users to access mailboxes and download messages to their computers. POP3 downloads email from a server to a single computer, then deletes it from the server. Because your messages get downloaded to a single computer or device.

IMAP (Internet Message Access Protocol) is the more recommended option because it allows you to check your emails from multiple devices, such as a work laptop, a home computer, or a tablet, smartphone, or other mobile device.

With the growing Demand of Emails, It can be a challenge to find a Favorable email service provider at no cost that balances the right features with usability.

FREE EMAIL SERVICES AND SOME OF THEIR UNIQUE FEATURES:

1. GMAIL (Google Mail) – 15 GB Mail storage space and enables other google suites functionalities like video conferencing, chatting and file sharing.
2. AOL (America Online) – One of the most unique and fascinating feature of AOL is, it gives unlimited email storage.
3. Outlook – Outlook gives you a storage space of 15 GB and also allows for multiple app integration, meaning It can seamlessly connect to other Apps like, Skype, Facebook, PayPal etc
4. Zoho – Though as compared to the above mentioned on the list, Zoho gives just 5 GB storage space, but its unique feature is that it allows you to customize your own domain name. Meaning it doesn’t have to end with @zoho.com but rather username@yourdomainname.com
5. Mail.com – This is also one of the free email options that doesn’t have an abundance of storage space giving just 2 GB of storage, but Just like ZOHO it gives the option of a customizable domain name and also a scheduling calendar.
6. Yahoo! Mail – Yahoo mail allows for 1 TB email storage and its Media attachment history makes it very unique, as you can preview all media attachment you’ve sent Via yahoo mail.
7. ProtonMail – With Just 500 MB it provides you with full email encryption. For those who send sensitive messages be rest assured your messages won’t be seen by just anybody and it disappears after a month.

Emails provide you with a simple, standardized way for users to access mailboxes, download messages to their computers exchange correspondence, and connect both formally and informally. At CloudWare, we offer affordable email setup and other related services like email marketing and quality online mailing solutions that can further benefit you and your business of whatever scale. Try CloudWare Today!

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Social networking is the use of Internet-based social media sites to stay connected with friends, family, colleagues, customers, or clients. Social networking can have a social purpose, a business purpose, or both. Social networking has become a significant base for marketers seeking to engage customers and customers seeking specific products and services.

Social media gives you the opportunity to connect to a million of people with little or no cost incurred while also staying in contact with already existing customers.

Popular social media Applications and their active users

Facebook – 2.23 Billion Monthly active users

Youtube – 1.9 Billion Monthly active users

Whatsapp – 1.5 Billion Monthly Active Users

Instagram – 1 Billion Monthly active Users

Twitter – 335 Million Monthly Active Users

Having an active social network for your business can give you an online presence, can increase your number of customers and consequently improve your returns.

BENEFITS OF SOCIAL NETWORKING TO YOUR BUSINESS

Here are some of the ways your business can benefit from actively pushing social networking:

• Creating a relatable brand value

The more you can create 1:1 relationships with people, the more likely those people are to do business with you. Social media enables you to foster that kind of relationship with infinitely more people than you would be able to meet if they just walked into your storefront.

• Make Your Brand an Industry Leader

As noted, people buy from people who they like and trust, and social media offers you the chance to become the go-to thought leader when people want to know about your specific industry.

• From social media following to customer

An active, engaging social presence can help keep your brand top of mind, so when a person is ready to purchase, again, they come to you first.

• Customer service opportunities

Social media provides you with the opportunity to answer costumer complaints. The faster you can respond, and the better you are able to help, the more likely it is that those people will become customers, and recommend your business to others.

• Learn about your customers

Take advantage of the analytics that every social network offers. Using the insights available, you can tailor your strategies to best speak to your target market/s.

Social networks help people keep connected with their friends and family and is an easy way to be aware of what everyone is up to each day in your social circle.

At CloudWare Technologies, we can effectively boost your online presence and give you the necessary engagements that would take your business to greater heights. Try CloudWare Today!

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