Flutter in Mobile App Development

Cross-platform app development is not just a buzz anymore. The industry has accepted it as an inherent property required for today’s market. Flutter is one software developer kit helping developers in this direction.

Working as one of the most reliable open sources, Flutter is applicable for both iOS and Android application development. Google has created Flutter with current digital app demands in mind. This SDK has proven to be helpful for online businesses in sectors such as e-commerce, food, and shopping. Flutter allows businesses to create mobile applications with advanced features such as geolocation, camera, storage, network, and much more.

Why is Flutter required in today’s market for App Development?

Flutter is soon gaining traction among developers for its ease in app development. Here are 5 reasons why Flutter is required for App development in today’s market.

1. Vast widget catalog

Using Flutter allows you to access multiple widgets in one catalog. Finding every widget organized in one place makes selection hassle-free. You can decide features and functionalities of your app and conveniently pick widgets. Dart helps you write app code and you can even include IntelliJ plugin to your application.

2. Open source enhances accessibility

Open-source development is another reason why Flutter is needed right now. Easy accessibility decides the success of any app. Which is why open collaboration brings user-friendliness to the table. An app design achieves a whole new level of scope with open source development. There is no other platform where you can find as many choices as in Flutter.

3. Easy app editing

While developing, an app has to go through multiple edits. Some features are added while others a removed. Flutter makes these changes easier. The platform provides Visual Studio code as well as Android Studio code. Using these integrations makes developed product smarter. Different variable types, function definitions and modules are used to create changes. In fact, a developer can also conduct push or pull via SCM service.

4. Dart matches Java features

Flutter gives you Dart that matches with Java in terms of feature similarities. That similarity allows developers to make a shift without any trouble. Editorial integrations, widget quality, and application features come together to make it a perfect kit for mobile app developers.

5. Single codebase for Android and iOS

With Flutter, mobile applications can achieve cross-platform functionality. A single codebase works on Android as well as iOS. So, there is no need to worry about shifting from one platform to the other and write the app from scratch. The app codebase works on both platforms, making your app more secure and protected in terms of patents.

All in all, Flutter is here to improve the standards of mobile app development projects. It is giving superior UI experience to the apps and providing feature addition capacity during an ongoing development project. The compatibility reaches the roof with Flutter, as it comes with customizable widgets.

However, all the benefits of Flutter come down to the expertise of the developers. Your team of mobile developers has to understand this technology and apply themselves completely. Companies that know how to leverage Flutter will lead mobile development to its future.

Hopefully, you feel ready to leverage this mobile development technology to your business advantage.

Blockchain Technology in Gaming Industry

Blockchain technology is more than just finance or cryptocurrency. And the world has started finding out the advantages of this technology now.

If you look at art, energy, agriculture, Blockchain has gained a valuable place in those sectors. The versatility of Blockchain has also made it effective in the gaming industry.

The gaming industry has always been a controversial sector due to some inherent issues. Players feel worried about high fees, unprotected data, fraudulent activities, and hidden odds. However, these problems can be resolved with Blockchain technology. In fact, companies have already started using this technology to build trust among players.

This year’s Game Developers Conference was populated with professionals who were mentioning blockchain and cryptocurrency.

Here are all ways how this technology can resolve problems for the gaming industry:

1. Making payment processing cost-effective

The gaming industry is accessible from all over the world. Though players get a chance to leverage fiat currencies, they are not effective in terms of cost-effectiveness. A player has to pay expensive fees to utilize online gaming.

With Blockchain, gamers can keep their debit or credit cards away. Many gamers research how to buy bitcoins with paypal to easily participate in blockchain-based games without traditional banking restrictions. No matter how small a payment is, this technology offers a decentralized method for it. There is no way for a scammer to steal information or manipulate the sector.

2. Minimizing fraudulent activities

The gaming industry suffers the maximum hit of online frauds. Hence, the industry constantly looks for techniques that can save lost revenues.

Blockchain can save billions by eradicating every chance of fraud. Companies such as B2Expand has already started using the crypto economy to reduce fraudulent activities.

3. Storage safety and security

Game items constantly face a security threat from the hackers. Hence, storing data online seems a risk for game companies. But Blockchain encryption has come out to be a sustainable solution.

Data stored with blockchain encryption makes it impossible for hackers to breach. This technology requires correct nodes at a correct time in order to breach. Which is why game items get a double security that saves from breaches.

4. Better control over gaming economy

The government can put bans or regulate the economies of an industry. Harsh regulations give rise to black markets, which is never good for any industry. Gaming companies have been suffering from this problem as well. Game developers are losing their control over the trade. And that harms their ability to gain maximum revenues.

With Blockchain, there is no need to create policies. A developer can collect royalties from every gaming ecosystem on an ongoing basis. Plus, blockchain allows a game developer to begin or stop selling assets without any restriction.

5. Reducing the price of gaming items

High price of gaming items limits the customer base for developers. This is also a reason why gamers look for stolen game items in the digital market. However, Blockchain comes with affordable micro-transaction benefits. This can allow developers to sell their power-ups at cheap prices without losing profits. Moreover, a user can control his expenditure when playing online games.

These pointers make it clear why Blockchain is the next gaming industry disruption. It is visible that Blockchain is the future of a secure and thriving gaming industry.

Importance of Data Cleanups

Cyber attacks have cost millions in lost revenues to companies worldwide. By abiding to clean and consistent cyber hygiene methods you can save yourself from a world of hassle. For companies, it has become mandatory to training employees to maintain cyber hygiene and better the company’s overall defenses against cyber attacks.

Why does data cleanup matter?

Everyone today is connected to the internet. One does not necessarily need to belong to the IT industry to understand basic IT terminologies. But what people who are outside the IT terminology do not understand is the nuances of online cybersecurity. Being unknown to the triviality of it makes them vulnerable to hackers all the more.

Cleaning up after we access the networks we use is mandatory in a world that is so highly digitalized. You just never know when the smallest bit of information that falls into the wrong hands could wreak havoc for you.

What does it mean to do data cleanups?

Cyber hygiene improves cybersecurity and that is an undeniable fact in the IT fraternity. For many organizations out there, this would mean organizing hardware and devices, installing protective software or creating formal frameworks for handling online information without leaving traces behind.

Hackers have it easy when you leave your computers, or any device for that matter, logged in to important websites. These websites could be the ones you visit often like your bank account, your office’s main files, account and balance sheets. Keeping your account logged in without having any security around it leaves you at the risk of hackers to attack and retrieve important information.

What steps to take in data clean-ups?

To stay on your guard and ensure the safety of your data, you can use these simple hacks:

1. Remove files in history/downloads

Cleaning up your data from a device is important. This includes the files you download for whatever purpose such as a soft copy of your important documents. You would not want your device to be hacked into and those important documents reaching wrong hands.

It is similar to using a temporary place to stay. You have to tidy up after leaving and opt to be careful about leaving important stuff behind. This way, you won’t have a tough time to deal with breaches later on.

2. Logging off

Experts suggest that logging off from your accounts or securing them with smart locks is one way to keep hackers at pay. Two-way verification systems ensure that no unwarranted entrant is allowed into your account.

3. Use secure channels to browse the net

Vigilance on your end is to be maintained at all times. You are on the net round the clock. You, therefore, need to be mindful of where you log in. Also, you need to be careful about how secure the sites and their credentials are before you feed in vitally personal information.

To sign off

When it comes to online presence, one’s security is their own hands. Leaving no scope for hackers to move in is what cyber hygiene ensures. By maintaining regular cyber hygiene in the form of data cleanups ensures there is no storage of excess cache and cookies. This leaves malware and hackers zero room to function. This only goes to add to your defenses making your stint against online privacy invasion a formidable one.

Blockchain Technology in Social Media

Though it started as cryptocurrency exchanges, Blockchain has shown promising features in other operations as well. The online world is on the verge of becoming a reliable economy with secure transactions and data.

So, are there any benefits one can derive from using blockchain technology in social media

1. Using Blockchain for news and information verification

At the beginning of this year, Facebook deleted about 583 million fake accounts. These accounts were posting fake news.

Fake information is the biggest problem of social media these days. Anything can get viral and become a truth within hours. In that scenario, if a fake news gets viral, bad situations can occur.

Thankfully, blockchain is capable of resolving this with ledger system. The functions such as personal verification, information verification, and data verification are all possible with blockchain. If you look at the framework offered by oxcert, it showcases how developers can authenticate every information with decentralized applications.

Famous as Dapps, decentralized applications can allow everyone to manage their digital information. This framework leverages authentication to verify IDs, content, and posts. Similarly, blockchain also makes data collection on social media platforms easier.

Social media platforms are heading towards blockchain at a fast pace. Third-party providers are helping platforms to incorporate this technology for verification.

2. Letting users control who sees their data and how much

From the market perspective, social media is a collection of data. If a user doesn’t get control over this, data can reach third parties. Every post, like, or share creates a behavioral profile of the user. This profile is the reason you receive news and ads according to your preference.

However, these informational pieces can also allow third parties to manipulate a user. Hacking personal information and selling it to other parties are the issues that social media sector is facing nowadays.

Blockchain has the capacity to put an end to this activity. There are blockchain applications that allow users to control their data. They can decide who sees their information and how much. Skycoin is a great example of allowing users to manage their information. Every platform requires permissions to access the data, which keeps users’ information secure.

The technology can help users to charge a fee for their information when sharing with advertisers. Hence, one can select the right people to get access to the correct data.

3. Improving crowdfunding on social media

Crowdfunding is helping startups to grow faster. The money is also raised for charities. These activities are taking place on social media platforms as well. And Blockchain is the right direction to make crowdfunding as private, transparent, and faster. Blockchain technology makes investors feel secure and works against money laundering too.

Social networks that are enabled by blockchain make crowdfunding easier for investors. Peers can track contracts, accept payments and verify users without taking any extreme measures.

To conclude

The blockchain is in the middle of disrupting different industries and providing substantial benefits. If incorporated effectively, these benefits can improve the way users look at social media platforms. Data can become secure and users can rely on third-parties. Only time will tell how it all pans out.

How IoT can help to maintain Food Safety Standards

Out of the many sectors of daily life revolutionized by IoT (Internet of Things), the food industry seems to be a sparkling example. This would not come by as much of a surprise considering the vast potential that comes with IoT. Not using the resources provided by IoT would ensure a lag in progress.

How IoT adds value to food production/distribution?

Food industry seems to have benefited largely due to IoT. Considering how globalized the food industry has become, regulating and maintaining food safety standard has become all the more essential. But this is no easy task. The scope of error is always there in every industry. However, in the food industry, the smallest error could lead to life-threatening consequences.

There is an increased demand from consumers, which mean that technological advancements need to be brought into action to meet these demands faster and better. Ensuring high standards of food safety the becomes difficult but just cannot be overlooked.

This is when IoT comes into the picture and makes things better for an industry that aims to keep the world fed.

How IoT elevates the efficacy of food safety standards?

Here is how IoT makes managing and maintaining food safety standards easier:

1 – Tracking and tracing goods

When it comes to any kind of food, its shelf life is of prime importance. When you are able to track and trace goods that go into making your most relished delicacies, you ensure that only the freshest of the goods are used.

This tracking and tracing of goods also enable industries to narrow down on the origins of the goods that come in, thereby ensuring there is no contaminant present in the ingredients used.

2 – Data allows predictions

The best feature that IoT allows is the prediction of the most possible outcomes using the vast amount of data at hand. When you bring terabytes of information regarding suppliers, pest control companies and average shelf life of goods, you can predict accurately the most plausible outcomes.

You can foresee potential pest infestations and allow you to take evasive measures before it happens.

3 – Improving inventory settings

A good inventory is essential in the food industry. Applying the vastness of data that comes with IoT can be used to optimize inventories. IoT is a resourceful tool. It tells you when you would need to order the stock and what would you need to store them efficiently.

This also avoids food wastage as smart inventories would notify the officials about certain thresholds approaching and when restocking would be necessary.

4 – Optimising logistics

Being on time is a mandate when handling foodstuff. IoT optimizes logistics. Timely and safe transportation of ingredients is now a possibility. All this without hampering the quality of its shelf life. This also adds to its cost-efficiency.

5 – Accurate reporting

Keeping a track of all the resources used could be a taxing affair in the food industry. IoT not only makes the environment paperless, but it also makes the whole deal a lot more accurate. You would never miss a track about the resources you use to maintain healthy food standards.

IoT may have its applications across a variety of sectors, but its implications in the food industry have made a possibility of optimizing the production and distribution of food worldwide.

Vishwas Mudagal – Winner of the Manambassador Award

We are super proud and happy to announce that our CEO, Vishwas Mudagal has won the Manambassador Award by PinkLadder. The Manambassador award identifies male champions in the society who have taken considerable efforts to create an inclusive work environment for women and encourage them to take up leadership roles.

The PinkLadder is India’s first comprehensive career enhancement ecosystem for women professionals and it has been founded by Karthik Nagendra and Soujanya Vishwasnath.

By being recognized as a male champion by PinkLadder, Vishwas Mudagal is one among those few men who envision a better place for women and encourages them to be ambitious and potential leaders. As an inclusive family man, highly followed influencer on social media, and as a CEO of a woman-led technology company, Vishwas Mudagal is setting an example for men to step up and set a stage for women to succeed.

This was an emotional moment for Vishwas and he went on to dedicate this award to our MD and Founder – Sonia Sharma who has been his inspiration throughout. To quote in his own words, Mudagal goes on to say –

 

Honored to receive the Manbassador Award for being Male Champion of Diversity and playing my part in the industry as an evangelist for inclusion, gender equality, and women empowerment.

Thank you PinkLadder and  Karthik Nagendra for recognizing my efforts and giving me this award! I dedicate this award to Sonia Sharma my co-founder and life partner, for being my inspiration and guiding light.

We need more women like you who empower everyone around us. Blessed to have you as a friend and partner in this wonderful journey! Hoping to take this to the next level!

Vishwas Mudagal is also a LeanIn India mentor where he coaches women for leadership roles and also encourages them to get back into the workforce.

Our team at GoodWorkLabs is immensely proud to have such progressive leaders who encourage us, appreciate us and treat us all as equals.

Vishwas Mudagal inaugurates IDFC Bank’s Whitefield Branch in Bangalore

We are super excited to announce that today our CEO, Vishwas Mudagal inaugurated IDFC bank’s branch in Whitefield, Bangalore.

IDFC is one of India’s leading bank and is highly technology driven. In today’s highly competitive banking sector, IDFC is highly customer focused and ensures every banker enjoys a smooth customer experience. It’s all about convenience and with the right mix of technology, IDFC bank is all set to create an unparalleled banking experience for its customers.

We at GoodWorkLabs feel extremely happy to be part of this inauguration ceremony and wish the very best for their future expansion plans across India.

Here are some glimpses of the event:

Ranked as one of the Top Mobile App developers in India for 2018

We are happy to announce that Clutch has named GoodWorkLabs as one of the top app developers in Bengaluru. The excitement just doubled when Manifest, Clutch’s sister website also recognized us among their top app developers in India for 2018.

Our DNA here at GoodWorkLabs: beauty, scalability, agility, and innovation are what helps us stay ahead of the curve. Our team thrives on resolving complex challenges, building innovative software, and helping change the world through technology and design. GoodWorkLabs offers a multitude of services, ranging from software development and UI/UX to IoT and big data technologies, but we strive for excellence with every project and partner.

This recognition comes from Washington, D.C.-based research and reviews firms – Clutch and The Manifest. They rank a variety of small and mid-market businesses by combing through qualitative and quantitative data, such as market presence, prior experience, and client feedback. These analyses are then compiled into rankings of companies both throughout industries and countries to provide relative comparisons of work and service.  

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

By being selected as one of the Top App developers in the country, it just speaks volumes of the quality of work we deliver to our clients.

When we asked one of our clients about their experience of working with GoodWorkLabs, this is what they had to share –

“GoodWorkLabs managed the whole project, and I found that aspect of their services to be exceptional. The fact that GoodWorkLabs’ team contributes actively to the work, are passionate about my ideas, and want to learn more about the journey is what’s most impressive.” 

Read the full review

“My expectations in terms of quality, service, and cooperation were far exceeded. The dollar-to-dollar value was tremendous. There are times when you receive more than what you paid for, which was the case here,” echoed another client. “There may be vendors offering the same level of work, but one of the things that stood out for me was their level of service and approach to the customer’s need. GoodWorkLabs is focused on what has to be done. If there was an issue, they did everything in their power to make sure that it was fixed quickly.”

Read the full review

Our team at GoodWorkLabs is very proud of the work we do and the software solutions that we provide, and we sincerely thank Clutch and our clients for their support and recognition of our commitment to excellence and to quality service.

If you are interested in reading more reviews that detail our involvement and experience, see our Clutch profile. We welcome you to connect with us if you are interested in working together on a future project or hearing more about our approach and experience!

Business Intelligence in FinTech

With the ever-increasing competition in the Fintech landscape, investors are seeking ways to make meaningful investments. The market for this new revolution has always been diverse, unique, and unconventional. According to global reports, Fintech has experienced a sudden decline from $46.7 to $24.7 billion within a span of one year, i.e. 2015 to 2016. While these reports narrate one half of the story, some of the other stats reflect a different side.

Tapping into the right channels

It’s pretty clear that Fintech offers a host of possibilities to investors. However, they have to be careful and invest in areas which aren’t yet saturated. If you wish to make meaningful investments and leverage available resources, it would be imperative to tap into profitable channels.

From innovative startups and tech giants to traditional institutions, every single business entity is vying for attention thus grabbing significant market share. Governments of various countries are also trying hard to enforce regulations on Fintech. In a nutshell, it is crucial to identify the avenues that change the face of Fintech and help you make the most of your resources.

The emergence of Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence and data analytics are two of the most effective resources in this regard. Leveraging these innovations will help you stay ahead of the growth curve thus accelerating your bottom lines. Here’s how BI can unlock new avenues for Fintech:

1. Business Intelligence helps in monitoring user behavior

Gaining profound information about user behavior will benefit the Fintech industry to a great extent. Since Business Intelligence helps you track and monitor user behavior, you will have the opportunity to make the right investments.

Most importantly, data analysis can assist in the decision-making process thus helping you devise useful strategies. Some of the leading robot-advisor startups like ‘Betterment’ and ‘Wealthfront’ disrupted investments by leveraging Business Intelligence.

2. Uncovering market trends

When it comes down to making investments, it becomes imperative to understand the market and its specific trends. That’s what Business Intelligence helps you do, thus eliminating chances of making wrong moves and taking improper decisions.

3. Improved security with Business Intelligence

We have seen many instances in the past where breaching the security encryption for a FinTech company data isn’t a big deal for notorious fraudsters. Business Intelligence strengthens security and enables successful behavioral analytics. As a result, fraudulent behaviors are easily tracked and investments are less likely to get laundered.

4. Unmatched user experience

Tech firms gain a competitive advantage over traditional funding institutions when it comes to ensuring unparalleled user experience. FinTech has reached great heights since the arrival of dynamic apps and online services. Disruptive technologies were the need of the hour and that’s exactly where BI and data analytics came into the picture.

Amazon’s popularity, growth, and revenues are results of the user experience it provides to consumers. Needless to say, the company had considered BI integration long ago.

Parting thoughts

Although the performance of the Fintech Industry isn’t that impressive in the US, reports from Asia state a different story altogether. The continent records a total investment of $7.1 billion which is huge and magnanimous. So, BI can prove to be the game-changing force for the Fintech industry if implemented in the right way.