Top 8 FinTech Apps To Watch in 2021

Fintech is constantly developing, with new tools winning the consumer’s attention virtually every month. If you don’t want to miss out on a new bombshell in the niche, it’s important to keep a close eye on the latest trends and especially – newest apps. This is why we decided to review some of the brightest and most popular fintech applications in 2021. 

But before jumping to the list itself, let’s look at the main groups of fintech apps.

Types of fintech applications

When it comes to modern fintech applications, there are 5 main categories these apps can be divided into. Those are: 

  • Personal Finance
  • Digital Banking
  • Investments
  • Blockchain & Crypto
  • RegTech 

Naturally, these groups may overlap and it’s often hard to weed out a particular type or group. So, we’re not going to dive too deep into it. Instead, let’s waste no more time and move onto the list of the top fintech apps to watch in 2021.

Top 8 fintech apps to watch in 2021

Here they are, listed in a free order:

Mint 

Personal Finance

Kicking the chart off, Mint is this year’s #1 personal finance solution in the USA. 

Aggregating and evaluating a wide scope of information about the user’s cards, accounts, and transactions, the tool provides unparalleled opportunities for personal finance management. This includes sending due bills alerts, detecting spending patterns, and providing tips on how to save an extra buck. All of the app data is reliably encrypted, so there are no worries about the security, too.

Mint is available on both Android and iOS.

Revolut

Digital Banking

Moving on, Revolut is a bright example of a capable and multi-functional mobile bank that is gaining huge momentum in 2021. 

Launched back in 2015, the UK-based startup is now worth almost $2 billion and growing. How did they do it? In essence, Revolut provides its users with a refined fintech space for conducting major banking activities. This includes money transfer and storage, currency exchange, payments, and ATM withdrawal. Operating within more than a hundred countries, the tool supports sending direct in-app transactions in 29 currencies, including popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Etherium, Litecoin, etc. 

In fact, the only thing you can’t do with Revolut is plain out print the cash. But who do you complain about that…

Coinbase

Blockchain & Crypto

Speaking about alternative cash, we can not skip one of the most popular cryptocurrency exchanges on the market right now – Coinbase. 

With a 25 million wide audience, the platform enables its users to monitor, invest in, and trade all the major cryptocurrencies in a safe and convenient way. Among the main feats and features, there are instant money transfers within the system, an option to schedule regular daily, weekly, and monthly acquisitions, and naturally for its niche – a top-notch level of cybersecurity to protect your funds. 

All in all, anyone even remotely associated with cryptocurrencies must have heard about Coinbase, so it’s definitely among the top fintech apps to watch in 2021. 

Nubank

Digital Banking

This $10 billion valued Brazilian startup is backing one of the most popular digital banks in the world right now. 

Offering a wide range of perks as a digital banking service, it allows to monitor, manage, and withdraw funds from any place in the world. The app can also boast of a simple and intuitive interface, along with an extensive reward system to please every user. 

With universally accepted credit cards, absent transaction fees, and one of the best UX/UI designs in the niche, Nubank takes its well-earned place on our list today.     

Chime

Digital Banking

Another bright example of a modern digital banking solution is Chime. 

What makes it stand out among its competitors is the virtual absence of fees, whether you’re transferring the money online or withdrawing from its impressive network of some 40.000 ATMs. Add an option to automatically save 10% of received payments and spendings, along with early funds withdrawal – and you get all the reasons to place Chime on the list of the top fintech apps in 2021. 

Robinhood

Investments 

When it comes to modern fintech opportunities, various investment tools occupy a special place. 

In this regard, Robinhood is a revolutionary online brokerage solution. It enables buying and managing virtually every type of investment, from public companies’ stocks to ETF’s and indices, to cryptocurrencies – all at zero commission. The platform is integrated with over 3500 banks and provides real-time market data analysis for the users’ benefit and convenience. 

All of the above has made it a leading digital investment tool on the market, worth every bit of attention.  

MoneyLion

Digital Banking

MoneyLion is another bright example of a modern digital banking solution. The tool provides a combination of lending, savings, and wealth management services on a subscription basis. 

Some of the service’s distinctive features include a mesh of over 50.000 fee-free ATMs, instant money transfers, and impressive (up to 12%) cashback rewards. 

MoneLion enables its users to lend, manage, and save money in one place, which was enough to make it a Unicorn startup this year and place it on our list of the top fintech apps to watch in 2021.  

Tellus

Personal Finance, Real Estate

Last but not least, Tellus is a magic wand for property and wealth management. 

Providing an all-around platform for landlords and tenants to find, connect, and deal with each other in a safe and convenient way. The service provides in-app money transfers, messaging, as well as tracking and management of all rent-related activities like screening, payments, services, repairs, etc. The service also offers no-fee, no-limit deposits with progressive interest for “smart” savings. 

With all that said, Tellus is definitely another tool to place on our list today.


Closing 

The fintech industry is up and booming in 2021. Fueled by the pandemic-related contact restrictions, along with wider blockchain adoption and overall digitization of our daily lives, the demand for advanced IT solutions in the finance sector right now is unseen before.  

This is a great time for the consumers to explore and enjoy new fintech tools and solutions, and an even greater moment for entrepreneurs to jump on the bandwagon and build a successful business in the niche. And the apps mentioned above provide a great example to prove the point. 

Interested in fintech software development? Don’t hesitate to ping us and we’ll schedule a call! 

Shopify As A Marketplace – Explained

eCommerce is among the most prevalent and fast-developing business niches in the world right now, with the global digital buyers pool surpassing a stunning 2.14B this year. 

Most of them represent upper-income users, which means there is money on the table and it’s not just window shopping. So, this is no wonder that more and more people are trying to enter the online commerce game and make money here, whether big or small. 

And the first question aspiring retailers face is how and where to market one’s products and what is the easiest way to do it if you don’t already have a platform to kick things off from. Luckily for the many in those shoes, various eCommerce solutions are at their service, providing the place (and sometimes, the audiences) to sell products online, in exchange for a moderate monthly subscription or a share of the profits. 

Among such services, one of the leaders on the market today is Shopify – a global eCommerce platform that allows to easily build and run custom shops on the web. 

Now, what exactly makes Shopify stand out from the competition? 

Let’s find out. 

Description

Essentially, Shopify is the WordPress for eCommerce businesses. It enables anyone without a master’s degree in commerce or coding to set up a fully functional shop and sell products both online and offline. 

To the shop owners, it offers a wide range of tools and functionalities to conduct daily eCommerce operations. Things like product showcasing, inventory tracking and management, order processing, payments, customer communication, financial reporting, and much more. 

Meanwhile, customers may enjoy reliable service with a smoothly working interface and pleasing visual themes for a positive shopping experience. 

From such a perspective, it does seem that everyone is a winner in the Shopify formula. Is it so indeed? Let’s take a closer look at the opportunities provided by the platform and its potential drawbacks. 

Key opportunities

First of all, Shopify is realistically a great eCommerce tool for a wide range of businesses. It is the market’s #1 platform choice for setting up online stores, and the reasons for it are rather convincing: 

Workflow

First of all, Shopify offers an extremely simple and straightforward workflow, with a drag and drop interface and theme-based design to easily customize the shop according to your vision and needs, while maintaining a pleasant user experience. 

The entire process of setting up and running a store with Shopify is rather intuitive. And although there may be some issues when taking your first steps with the platform (it’s not making popcorn, after all) everything becomes clear rather quickly as you get used to the tool.

Not making selling online look like rocket science is clearly an advantage in favor of Shopify. Simplicity and convenience of usage – check.  

Budget 

Another important aspect of any business tool is of course the cost of using it. In this regard, Shopify offers a great bang for the buck. 

It comes with lots of price plans to satisfy virtually every need and pocket, from $9 a month for the Lite plan and all the way up to more pricy top-notch service. At that, Shopify offers a substantial list of free features. Things like visual themes and graphic materials, as well as versatile apps to improve the online commerce experience.   

So, budget is another pro in favor of Shopify when looking for a web store platform.

Administration

Making your eCommerce business successful requires continuously assessing statistical data and adjusting the strategy to keep up the shop’s efficiency and meet the consumer’s demand.

In this regard, Shopify’s profound admin panel provides all the tools and features to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your online store and maintain a high-level game in the back office, from inventory tracking and shop stats to financial reporting and much more. 

Management and administration – check.

Cloud Capabilities 

Reliability and performance are another two points in favor of choosing Shopify as the foundation for your web store. 

Running in the cloud, the platform can boast of refined stability and virtually unlimited computational power, unlike traditional localized servers. Therefore, you may sleep well knowing that no power outages or server overloading mess with your shop’s operation. 

The reliability of the tools you’re using grants the effectiveness of the work you do. And Shopify’s cloud-based nature is definitely a great advantage in that sense.   

User support

Last but not least, user support is another notable feat in the list of Shopify’s strengths. 

The company offers outstanding customer care, ready to help and troubleshoot any issues. And being a leader in the market of web store builders, Shopify has an extensive user community gladly sharing their knowledge and experience. 

Like that, whatever problem you may come across when setting up an online store with Shopify – you’ll most probably find a solution to it in no time. 

Given all the aforementioned, Shopify seems like the perfect solution for eCommerce businesses of any shape and form, doesn’t it? 

Not quite so. 

Alternatives

Shopify sounds like the magic wand for your eCommerce endeavors. So, why would anyone look elsewhere? 

Well, it turns out that nothing is perfect in the real world (except for Bruce Willis acting, perhaps). 

Whether you’re already using a CMS, want to have more control over your store’s SEO, or have a really large and complex product catalog – you may want to consider Shopify alternatives. If so, here are some of the most popular options available: 

Other web store builders

The closest to Shopify alternatives would be other similar eCommerce-focused website builders like Wix or BigCommerce. 

With some differences in the interface and workflow, as well as offered price plans and available features, these platforms offer generally similar opportunities to what Shopify does.

In some cases, the seemingly subtle differences may in fact be important enough to switch a platform. Plus, it never hurts to have the options, you know. 

If you’re looking for something like Shopify but not Shopify, pay attention to the following popular solutions: 

  • Wix
  • BigCommerce
  • WooCommerce
  • Magento

Conventional web marketplaces

Another Shopify alternative when selling goods online can be one of the good old marketplace giants like Amazon or eBay.

Offering unparalleled audiences, they don’t allow for as much branding and shop customization as web store builders do, yet are still great a  eCommerce solution for smaller vendors and retailers. 

If you’re just starting out in eCommerce or run a  small retail business without a massive brand behind it, the platforms below may be a great Shopify alternative for you:   

  • Amazon
  • eBay
  • Zappos
  • AliExpress
  • Rakuten
  • Overstock
  • Etsy 

Custom online shop

Finally, there is always an option to build your own, 100% unique web store. 

Advocates of this option claim that having a custom online shop is the best choice to make, and we can only add that developing it is our craft. 

As for the mere facts, it is true that the capabilities of any website builder or similar solution are rather constrained both technology- and feature-wise, as well as in terms of the UX/UI design. Whereas when building up a web store from scratch, only imagination limits how the end-product will look like, work, and feel on the inside and out.

If that’s what you’re looking for, our team will be glad to fulfill your vision in life when it comes to: 

  • Websites
  • Mobile apps
  • CRMs
  • Individual eCommerce functionalities
  • And much more

Final word

All things considered, Shopify is a god-given gift for the players in the eCommerce game. It offers a substantial range of functionality matched by cloud-based reliability and impressive performance – all at a flexible and moderately-set price.

Perfect for smaller and medium-sized shops, it has great alternatives if you don’t fit the description or look for something slightly different. To each his own, and if you’re looking for a reliable IT partner to help in your eCommerce endeavors – don’t hesitate to contact us, and let’s do business together!

How To Make Remote Work Successful: Best Productivity Tips

Establishing good communication within teams has always been among the main factors of success for businesses of any shape and form, and it has become an even more important task and a greater challenge now that we are in the all-remote era. 

Let’s face it: almost everyone is working from home now.

The pandemic has pushed companies to adopt a remote working model and time has shown us that it actually works. At that, a lot of executives are still rather skeptical about outsourcing, fearing productivity issues, lack of trust, and miscommunication within teams. So, it’s important to know how to make it as effective as possible.

MintyMint has been providing dedicated staff and managing outsourced projects for years. We know how to make remote work effective, what works, and what won’t. And although it doesn’t come without a fly in the ointment, it’s very possible to make remote work even more effective than in the office.

In this article, we are going to describe all the pros and cons, potential issues, and solutions associated with remote work.

The main remote work issues

First of all, you can’t just send people home and expect smooth remote teamwork.

Here’s what you’ll need to take care of:

  • Establish an effective communication
  • Supply required software (and hardware)
  • Resolve organizational issues
  • Oversee team processes and KPIs
  • Ensure staff discipline

Your people need guidance, process tuning software, and oversight to ensure an effective workflow. Otherwise, remote work can be extremely ineffective and disappointing.

In fact, here are some of the main struggles for remote workers, according to themselves:

main obstacles on the way to making remote work successful

Now, how exactly does one do that?

Let’s move on.

How to make remote work successful?

On the brighter side, remote work can make your teams happier and more productive, provided everything is set up properly. Here are our main tips for making your operations productive.

1. Communication

Perhaps the most important aspect of remote work effectiveness is team communication.  

That is why we’ve compiled a list of the main principles to check with that’ll help to make your online communication purposeful, relevant, and successful. 

Choose the right software

One of the first things to get clear with on your way to perfecting online meetings is to choose the platform where they are going to be held. 

There is already enough of the human factor involved when it comes to remote communication, so you don’t want the software to slow the process down even more. 

As has been mentioned, there is a wide variety of video conference tools available on the market, from good old Skype to more recent solutions like Zoom or Google Meets. Most of them have a free version for you to try out the app and offer advanced functionalities per pay. The price plans and feature sets also differ, so you’ll have to look at the options and find the best one for your setup and needs.

By the way, here are some of the most popular tools to make communication easier for you and your team:

Predefine the subject

Another important thing to do when establishing a call online is to define the topic and goals for the meeting and share it with the participants. 

Having this information will not only allow your colleagues to think through their point of view on the subject and come up with potential suggestions beforehand but will also help the team tune into the conversation and tackle the task a lot better.    

Determine the timeframe

Another important point to consider when preparing for an online meeting is determining its timeframe. 

Effectiveness is about fulfilling a particular task with an adequate amount of resources, time being the main one. So wasting none of it is essential when we talk about effective meetings. 

More so, there is substantial evidence supporting the theory that a task takes as much time as is allocated for it. Like that, cutting down the estimated timeframe may speed up the working process, too. And visa versa, the more vivid those time limits are the more likely the resolution is to be postponed. 

Set up a timeframe for your meeting, whether it’s a regular weekly update or a team brainstorm, and set up an alarm to know when it’s time to wrap up.  

Keep it intimate

Having too many people at the table may drop the discussion effectiveness even in traditional meetings. And when it comes to online chats – the problem magnifies tenfold. 

If there’s an announcement to make – you may surely add as many participants as the software you’re using allows. But if there is a heated discussion in the plan – it is better to keep the number of participants down. Or, you can divide the meeting into several consecutive ones when discussing an important topic online.  

Record the meetings

Unlike traditional in-person conferences, online calls provide a bright opportunity to easily record the entire chat. 

This way you can keep track of everything discussed and revise the meeting if needed, without having to distract from the conversation to make notes on the go.

Whether you need to write down ideas and key takeaways during the discussion or not – is entirely up to you. That said, recording and revising calls is among the main ways of improving the effectiveness of meetings online.  

Communicate frequently

Just like any activity, consistency is extremely important for boosting the effectiveness of remote meetings. 

On one hand, calling up frequently creates a habit that adds structure to the routine and reduces the subjective stress from participating in high-engagement activities like daily meetings. Believe it, you can easily stress online, too.

On the other hand, it will inevitably make your meetings go more smoothly and to the point, which is another important factor for boosting their effectiveness. 

2. Performance and KPIs

What you expect from your teams will depend on the type of business you manage. For example, your customer service teams may need availability between certain hours, while your design team may be able to pick up a project at any time of the day. Whatever your expectations are: clearly let people understand from the very beginning and make sure everyone fully acknowledges the rules.

Here are a few things you should think about and discuss with those you work with:

  • Working hours. Please make sure that people know whether their schedule should be the same or whether it may be more flexible when working from home.
  • Availability. In case you need to know when your teams are present, make sure that you have a process to inform you that they are outside their workplace. The Slack tool is really useful here because you can set your status by letting everyone know that you are at lunch, meeting, or on a trip to the doctor.
  • Processes and priorities. Please remember that some types of work may be possible from home, while others may not and you may need to review some of your processes and priorities and adapt them to work at home. Also, make sure that you report any changes in your life and work to your teams.

3. Data Security

Remote work inevitably leads to new security considerations. Every employee should know exactly what needs to be done to stay safe online while working at home, and it is your responsibility to manage that.

Here’s a short checklist to help you:

  • Only work on trusted devices.
  • All desktop and laptop computers must use full disk encryption.
  • Home routers should not use default passwords and should be checked for firmware updates.
  • As a rule, try to minimize the storage of confidential customer data on local devices (like contracts, invoices etcetera). Encourage your team to routinely check their local storage and clean the sensitive data.
  • Use database software tools to securely store passwords. Try 1Password (subscription) or KeePassX (freemium).

4. Feedback

Last but not least, improving any process requires collecting feedback and implementing the changes accordingly. 

Every team’s setup is unique. So, beyond the basic rules laid out in this article, it’s up to you to find “the recipe” that’ll match your goals and needs the best. 

Look at what went well and what didn’t in the past several online calls, and ask your colleagues for suggestions to improve the communication. Remember that flexibility is the way to go when looking for the best approach.    

Tips for the employees

Maintaining a healthy balance between the work and personal life of your teams is as important as creating the structural basis for remote work. Disconnecting from the office environment and spending too much time at home may be stressful, so be sure to encourage people to take breaks and spend time away from their jobs – seriously, keep that in mind. And of course, there are also many ways that employees can help themselves:

Set up your workplace

In case you have a free room for use as an office, then this is just perfect for you and your work. If that’s not your case, you may use your kitchen or living room, or go to a coworking space altogether. Of course, working from a sofa or bed can be very tempting, but when professional and personal spaces intersect, it can be difficult to disconnect and switch specifically to work. Also, it is extremely challenging not to fall asleep when you work sitting on a couch.

Ideally, you will have two devices: one for work and one for home. In case this is not possible, the use of a laptop with a monitor and keyboard, rather than on your lap, can serve as a mental signal to separate work and personal time. It is also a good idea to split up the hard drive and create a separate account for work.

Dress for work.

We are not talking about a full suit and tie. However, wearing comfortable and at the same time presentable clothes, rather than plain-looking pajamas, will greatly help you focus on the work. It also means that you are ready to walk your dog out and get some fresh air, which is crucial for maintaining productivity.

Adhere to the regular schedule.

Even if working from home means that you can be flexible with your time, setting your own deadlines and meeting them helps to maintain a balance between work and personal life. This, in its turn, will free the time for everything that you were planning to do for a long time.

– Take a break

We understand that without a walk to the station or a walk at lunch, it is easy to become sedentary, working from home. Therefore, we advise you to take a walk while you, for example, are talking on the phone. With the help of such walks, you will not only not worsen your own health, but also make your remote work more productive! For example, the 1Password tool offers everyone the opportunity to spend on healthy activities away from the keyboard; be it yoga classes, a monthly kayak ride, or a subscription to the meditation app.

Here’s a brochure to share with your colleagues:

Roadmap to making remote work effective during the pandemic.

Keynotes

  • Put your employees’ well-being first
  • Don’t be scared of switching to remote work. Doing it not only will you protect yourself and your family from the Сoronavirus disease, but also receive additional benefits.
  • Stay safe and healthy!

And if you’re looking for a remote-ready team of professionals to fulfill a project without a headache – MintyMint is always at your service.

Power BI vs Tableau: Which Business Intelligence Tool To Choose

Effective data analysis is among the main pillars of successful decision-making in business. And while it is rather clear how collecting and evaluating data can help your company move in the right direction, choosing the right business intelligence tool comes with a lot more open questions. 

Among the myriad of such tools present on the market today, Power BI and Tableau are perhaps the two most popular corporate solutions. Both of them are high-grade applications, with a good level of integration, rich functionality, and advanced data visualization features. 

What is the difference between them and how to pick the right data analysis software for your setup and needs? 

To answer this question, let’s compare Power BI and Tableau in relation to their main descriptive characteristics. We will look at nuances of application and setup, integration, pricetag, and additional features. And of course, we’ll explore some alternative data analysis options, too. 

So, let’s jump in! 

Application

One of the first noticeable differences between Power BI and Tableau is their respective target audience. 

Power BI is designed to operate mainly within a Microsoft products environment. It uses Azure, SQL, and Office 365 to aggregate data and offers affordable data analysis. For those of you who already rely on MS products for business operations, Power BI is definitely a go-to business intelligence tool to choose. 

Meanwhile, Tableau is designed to fit in well with custom corporate environments and ERPs. A great choice if there is a couple of data engineers ready to set up and fine-tune the tool with your company’s software system. Overall, it is a lot more corporate-orientated. 

Setup

Naturally, an app’s setup is important in establishing a convenient and effective workflow. In this regard, both solutions offer a good degree of flexibility, although somewhat different in form. 

Like that, Power BI is available on three platforms – desktop, mobile, and as a service. So, it allows you to choose the most comfortable option and switch between them when needed.  

Whereas Tableau also comes in three forms – Tableau Desktop, Tableau Server, and Tableau Online, which you can easily synchronize and shift between while at work or to collaborate with your team.

Integration

Another important point of comparison between Power BI and Tableau is their integration with outside data sources. In this regard, both business analysis tools can be connected to a wide range of third-party technologies. Including Google Analytics, salesforce, marketing sources, etc. 

At that, while Power BI offers a lot of preconfigured dashboards and templates, its counterpart is more about manually defining what type of data you want to extract and how to use it. So, it kind of requires a bit more expertise from the user or doing some research. 

Interface

When it comes to the user experience of the two apps, both offer a wide range of functionality, are fairly easy to use, and utilize a drag-and-drop approach to operate data.

Power BI’s design focuses a little bit more on intuitive workflow, ease of use, and live data analysis. All of this allows to achieve zero time waste and apply gathered insights in real-time.  

Meanwhile, Tableau’s dashboard requires slightly more time to get familiar with as compared to its peer. Gravitating towards a more query-based workflow, it offers rocket-fast analysis with its revolutionary data engine.  

Price  

Speaking about pricing, both products offer a good level of flexibility, although stand slightly apart in terms of the overall cost. 

Power BI’s pricing model is rather straightforward. There is a public (free) version, a subscription-based plan, and a scalable premium option available at your service. Each of the for-pay options is moderately priced. And being deeply rooted with the Microsoft software, it’s a rather cost-effective solution especially for those already using MS products.    

Meanwhile, Tableau’s pricing plan may seem quite confusing at first sight. They charge differently depending on the type of data sources and third-party apps you apply, as well as the way they are integrated. However, it’s rather flexible at the same time. All in all, designed with corporate users in mind, Tableau comes at a slightly higher price tag than its rival. You may check their pricing calculator over here.   

Additional features

As for the additional perks, both business analysis tools come with mobile applications for getting quick insight on the go, and both have extensive web communities and user support to help you get the best experience with the software. 

Power BI can boast of a natural language query processing that allows you to simply ask it questions and get data. Just like you would with the Google search.

Meanwhile, Tableau can be quite proud of its Hyper data engine. It’s claimed to enable one of the fastest data import and analytics available on the market. 

So, both products really have something unique to offer.     

Alternative tools

Naturally, there are other great business intelligence tools on the market. So, if all of the above did not convince you to pick either of the tools mentioned, here are additional options to explore: 

  • Google Charts 
  • Visme
  • Infogram
  • Sisense
  • ChartBlocks
  • DataWrapper

You pick the right one for you. 

Conclusion

Effective data analysis is crucial, if not defining, to make great decisions and stay competitive in today’s business landscape. 

Both of the business intelligence tools we looked into today will do the job. Power BI is an extremely user-friendly solution that offers a great bang for the buck, whereas Tableau seems to slightly step up the data analysis game and be more of a corporate-orientated solution. 

By any means, you will no regret it whichever tool you choose, so pick the best one for you and let it help your business thrive. 

And if there are any questions left regarding the data analytics market or a different topic – feel free to reach out!  

Digital Transformation Trends In Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Continuing to review digital transformation trends across industries, it’s time to take a closer look at an indispensable sphere of commercial human activity like transportation and logistics.  

The state of digitization in logistics

More than half of logistics management believe in reviewing operational models to stay relevant as the world is shifting to a digital-first, remote-based realm where less and less trade is conducted in person

At that, the global online shopping boom has grown even more since the introduction of quarantines last Spring. All of this creates an increased demand for appropriate tech solutions in the logistics industry.

Technology trends in the logistics industry

The three main technology trends are fueling digital transformation in logistics and supply management right now. Those are IoT, AI, and Blockchain

Let’s look into each one in particular.  

1. Internet of Things in logistics

One of the main technologies pushing digital transformation in logistics is the Internet of Things, aka telematics. 

Supply management implies moving a ton of orders around countless locations every day. Making such a process effective, it makes a lot of sense to connect items, vehicles, and personnel into a mesh of trackable data, creating a completely coherent network.

To do this, the following tech solutions are adopted right now: 

Autonomous package delivery

  • Drones 

Drone delivery is gaining momentum among retail and eCommerce businesses. Drones facilitate same-day delivery to poorly accessible areas and traffic-clogged locations, saving the day when the traditional delivery options simply don’t work. 

  • Driverless Trucks

Over 65% of global goods transportation runs on trucks. Driverless vehicles help to reduce costs associated with vehicle maintenance, personnel employment, and road accidents. In fact, automated truck delivery can save transportation companies as much as 45% of operational budgets.

Smart warehouses

IoT-based WMSs (warehouse management systems) monitor warehouse goods on an item level. They can help companies boost order-placement efficiency through precise inventory monitoring and automated goods management.

Digital wearables

Adopting trackable wearable devices for employees in logistics can help supply chain management monitor and oversee the delivery process with higher accuracy. Meanwhile, it facilitates hands-free workflow for the personnel, boosting their work efficiency. 

2. Artificial Intelligence in logistics and supply chain

Transportation relies on analyzing both historical and real-time data, and AI plays an important role in meeting this need.  

The aforementioned mesh of connected devices generates a ton of data, which only AI can effectively comb through. This, in turn, allows businesses to determine efficiency issues and find appropriate solutions.

Technology-wise, here’s how the logistics industry can benefit from adopting AI tech: 

Inventory forecasting software

Although still in the development stages, intelligent demand forecasting solutions are already outdoing traditional methods, allowing to predict future product demand and keep the supply in check. 

Smart shipping and tracking

AI can help logistics companies optimize shipping and cut associated costs by analyzing real-time data on shortest routes and traffic jams, as well as availability of staff and vehicles / drones. 

Workflow automation

AI-backed workflow automation and robotization of the workplaces is one more way intelligent software can bump up processing capacities and improve daily operation in supply management.   

3. Blockchain in logistics

A distributed ledger can be extremely useful in logistics and supply chain management.  

On one hand, Blockchain allows to securely store operational data about the origin and location of goods, transportation conditions, expiration date, etc., and use self-executing smart contracts to automate trade. On the other hand, it provides bullet-proof security, making Blockchain-based products virtually impenetrable. 

You could say it’s a “buy one get one free” type of technology.   

Challenges in the logistics industry

Digital transformation in logistics and supply chain management is facing several obstacles on the way to a brighter, automated future.

Those are:

Insufficient IT expertise

Some 40% of top management in logistics blame unsuccessful business transformation on the lack of appropriate IT training and skills. In fact, most of them consider engaging third-party services and outsourced talent to close the expertise gap. Such a lack of specialists within the niche causes poor technology processes across the entire industry.

Slow technology adoption

While every second supply chain management company runs on legacy software, a quarter of all industry businesses don’t have a digital transformation strategy whatsoever. More so, only one out of five industry executives is leveraging operational data to improve workflows. This makes companies operate in “good old” and often inefficient ways.   

Outdated IT solutions

Apart from the ominous human factor, the very technology imperfection often slows down digital transformation in logistics. Like that, connectivity issues and security holes across the supply chain, as well as imperfect delivery tech are some of the main pain points in the sector, causing billions in financial losses.   

– Data security

Another major pain point for both companies and service consumers in logistics is security and reliability of software systems.

Custom logistics software development

Given the huge demand for niche software on the market, it is rather lucrative to invest in these kinds of solutions right now. 

Here’s a list of the main directions to pick when thinking about niche product development for the transportation industry: 

  • Inventory and order tracking
  • Smart warehousing
  • Routing (mapping) and shipment optimization 
  • Autonomous transportation
  • Drop-shipping and same-day delivery
  • Transport cost optimization

The future of the logistics industry

The logistics industry is evolving rapidly on all levels, with AI, Blockchain, and IoT fueling the process. While a lot has been achieved in this direction already, the transformation is still happening. This creates a wide pool of opportunities to seize and leverage both business-wise and in terms of technology development.

Want to learn more about IT product development in logistics? Contact us to get all the answers!  

Digital Transformation In The Education Industry: E-Learning Revolution

Just like many other traditional industries, education has been shifting to a digital-first dimension for quite a while. Seemingly approaching its pinnacle since COVID, digital transformation in the education industry is only picking up speed right now, and we can watch an actual e-learning revolution happen right in front of our eyes.   

How big is the progress so far and what opportunities are there in the e-learning niche? Let’s find it out. 

Accelerated online learning

In April 2020, almost 90% of enrolled students around the world were affected by quarantines. Nationwide closure of schools was recorded across almost 200 countries, affecting about 1.6 billion people – a staggering audience to think about when we talk about digital transformation in the education industry. 

Here’s a map to grasp the scale of the COVID impact on the global education system:

Global Schools Closure Due to COVID as of Oct 2020

*by Ourworldindata

This year’s contact limitations didn’t allow many options for schools but to rethink the standard model of knowledge distribution and adapt to the challenges of the new world. Remote schooling has become the new norm on all levels – from early education and tutoring to higher education, professional growth courses, and non-academic training. 

Naturally, such a great demand requires a lot more than an outstanding supply of hardware. This is less of a problem since most households and learning facilities in the developed countries have access to a wide range of tech. The real challenge is to develop appropriate software tools allowing schools and students to fulfill regular activities without sacrificing education quality. 

The e-learning revolution

Speaking about the types of digital solutions helping students learn at distance – the list is virtually bottomless. 

Right now we’re seeing major efforts at improving web classes, automating student and work assessment, and digitalizing course materials via smart textbooks, rich video content, slide show presentations, and much more. In this regard, Kognity and Lix Technologies are two startups leading the race at the moment.

Secondly, improving general education accessibility and support within the sector, especially for college and university students, is another major focus point right now, with Graduway and Teacherly delivering some great results already.

Various administrative tools for conducting the educational process online are also being developed lately. They include digitalized school payments and fee collection software, student attendance tracking, and education monitoring applications. And don’t forget about language adaptation and designing a new learning model for students with limited abilities.  

Meanwhile, the task of digitalizing is rather simplified for adult and post-degree learning – where online courses have already been adopted well before the pandemic. 

All this being the case, digital learning remains unsaturated product-wise, as the demand for niche solutions exceeds the current market supply. 

Edtech investments and initiatives

Given the timing of COVID and further uncertainty about quarantines and travel restrictions – entrepreneurs see a high time to put both their time and resources into the development of edtech businesses and startups. 

In fact, experts predict edtech investments to reach $7.5T in 2020, growing an estimated 15% in a single year, and over 4 times since 2014

Global digital transformation investments in the education industry over years.

Right now, the UK remains the largest hub when it comes to digital transformation in the education industry, receiving almost 40% of Europe’s investments in the sector.   

Speaking of which… 

While businesses are the main drivers of progress in edTech adoption, governments also play a part in the process. In this regard, Estonia’s legislators show a good example by not only supporting internal edtech market but freely sharing the developed tools and technologies with the rest of the world.

Notably, a lot of digital education initiatives are occurring in third-world countries, where the pandemic has hit the already crisis-affected regions. 

Like that, international humanitarian organizations and private foundations are backing versatile tech solutions in cooperation with ministries of education. Right now they are helping students and families in places like Sudan, Uganda, Lebanon, Jordan, Chad, Bangladesh, as well as Kenya, and multiple African countries access affordable education and continue learning.   

To get a glimpse of the variety of current edtech projects, check EdTechHub’s list of the most relevant startups in the sector. 

Final word

The global education system is undergoing a major transformation on all levels. Both schools and universities, as well as non-academic educational institutions, are switching to a digital-first approach. This means an increased demand for niche software development and technology maintenance. 

Online learning is becoming the new norm, and the trend does not seem to be reversing anytime soon. Therefore, investing in custom e-learning solutions is decisively a winning business move right now. 

Need help or have questions regarding digital opportunities in the education sector? Contact our team to discuss it

Digital Transformation In Real Estate: Trends And IT Solutions

Unlike many other industries, real estate is booming in 2020/2021 and so is digital transformation within the industry.

As the pandemic hit businesses of all types, immovables seem to be the bullet-proof asset everyone is looking for in turbulent times. The real estate market is on fire, but the competition is fierce, too, so poor acquisition choices or property mismanagement can be financially fatal.

Now, what can resolve such issues better than software?

Real estate software development and IT services

Technology has helped to overcome challenges in almost every sphere of life, and real estate management is not an exception. More so, custom software has already proven to be a golden goose for the industry. 

Here’s who can benefit from custom property management solutions: 

  • Real estate agencies
  • Private and corporate facility owners 
  • Landlords and tenants
  • RE startups

Now, let’s look into what we can offer to each of these groups.  

1. Real estate agents and agencies 

Before anyone else, it’s real estate agencies and individual realtors who can benefit from custom digital products. Whether it’s a single-page business card or a fully-fledged digital platform with CRMs and admin dashboards – building up a strong online presence is the right move.

Here are some of the products and services businesses usually look for:

  • Web and mobile apps for realtors and agencies
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing tools
  • Facility search and listings 
  • Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and IDX integrations
  • Accounting and document turnover 
  • E-signature integration 

2. Private and corporate facility owners 

Managing property is not an easy task both in the private and corporate sectors. Especially owning multiple homes or offices, apartment buildings, warehouse spaces, etc – things get pretty messy without effective management. 

For businesses with many locations (like food chains, hotels & resorts, fitness clubs, multi-office companies) – having the following may be a lifesaver: 

  • Utility billing and energy management tools
  • Accounting and financial integration 
  • Document turnover software 
  • Customized reporting and data analytics
  • Maintenance work oversight

3. Landlords and tenants

Selling and buying property is just the tip of the Real Estate iceberg.

Another big chunk of the industry is renting & lease, which is even more intense and than trade. 

Landlords and tenants know it’s not easy to find a good place to stay at – on one side, and a reliable person or business to trust your property to – on the other.

Here’s how landlords and tenants can benefit from custom real estate software development: 

  • Applicants screening tools and lease management
  • Customized reporting
  • Accounting and document management 
  • Online payment functionalities
  • Reliable communication channels
  • Maintenance work oversight

4. Real estate startups

Given the state of the real estate industry, it does not take a college degree to see that it’s high time to occupy a niche in the industry. RE aggregators are gaining momentum but are usually limited to a particular city or area. Therefore, there’s plenty of opportunities to leverage the current market rise and find your spot under the sun while helping others find theirs. 

So, startups and individual entrepreneurs are another large group of clients looking for digital products in the real estate industry. Here are some of the popular options: 

  • Custom web and mobile apps 
  • Facility aggregators 
  • Property management software
  • Accounting and financial integration
  • CRM solutions
  • Real estate data analytics 

Disruptive innovation in real estate

Apart from everything mentioned above, it is possible to develop or integrate an AI-powered solution predicting property price fluctuations and investment potential (similar to one of our fintech projects – OxfordRisk).

The algorithm works based on evaluating key facility metrics like location and area, property type, and previously recorded trade prices. It then compares it against the market’s big data, estimating the property’s value over time.

Not only does it help to understand a property’s actual price and investment potential, but also to predict the best deal moment.

Final word

Real estate is booming worldwide.

Whether you own property, manage facilities, invest in real estate, or help others do the above-mentioned – there are great challenges and opportunities on the way.

Successfully meeting the first and seizing the second requires proactive action and leveraging the power of technology. 

Want to learn more about digital opportunities in real estate right now? Contact us to ask any questions! 

MintyMint’s Software Development Workflow: Best Practices

Every IT team has its own ways when it comes to producing software. And while some of the main dev tools and techniques are common across the industry, it’s the details that make all the difference.

So, it wouldn’t hurt to explore MintyMint’s software development workflow before you choose us as your outsourcing partner. 

Business cooperation models

When it comes to the software development workflow, we must define the three main types of cooperation we offer:

a. Dedicated software team

Need a ready team of experts to work on a project under your supervision?

Hire a dedicated team! 

In this case, you outline project goals and we provide a team of skilled devs working on it full-time. You may determine your role in the development process – from direct team management (set tasks and deadlines) to brief supervision of the key milestones. This gives you the right amount of leverage over the dev process while taking all the executive headaches away, without compromising end-product quality.  

This option will make it for startups and SMBs with a tech-savvy management and a clear product vision, but no tech team.  

IT Development Workflow

The key benefits of hiring a dedicated team with MintyMint are the following: 

  • Predictable and fixed budget;
  • Full-time access to dedicated experts focused on your product and business goals; 
  • PM and QA engineer services free of charge. 

b. Resource staffing services

Moving on to resource staffing (aka team extension). This type of partnership is great for scaleups and existing teams that need additional resources to fulfill a temporary task or take on a particular responsibility within the project. 

Externalizing workloads is not just a good move budget-wise. It also alleviates the pressure from your core team (so they can focus on high-priority tasks and challenges) and lifts the burdens of the recruitment process and employee management, which are on us. 

Like that, we provide IT experts and take care of HR management and paperwork. Meanwhile, you can focus on essential project tasks and processes. 

IT Development Workflow

Here are the main benefits of backing up your team with MintyMint experts: 

  • Full control over team member management; 
  • Always available specialists to fulfill urgent tasks; 
  • Easy recruitment, HR, and paperwork. 

c. Turnkey project development

Last but not least, you can always order a complete, turnkey project. For startups and entrepreneurs without extensive IT product building experience, as well as a wide range of SMBs – this is probably the best bet.

In general, it’s a go-to choice for anyone who doesn’t want to deal with process management but does need tangible results.

When ordering a turnkey project, you provide a general product vision and give continuous feedback along the production process. Meanwhile, our team returns a fully tested and release-ready product within the agreed timeframe. Like this, you get a full-cycle project development service where you only pay for results. 

The main advantages of ordering a turnkey project from MintyMint are: 

  • You pay for a ready product (fixed price);
  • We take care of production and associated risks;
  • Less management as compared to other cooperation models.
IT Development Workflow

IT project development stages

When it comes to the very IT development workflow, our typical project consists of three main stages.

Those are: 

1. Discovery and Planning

This is the first stage in any project. Here we transform a client’s idea into a product concept with a clear design and measurable characteristics.

The discovery and planning stage is there to: 

  • Set the main business goals and needs; 
  • Investigate potential problems, risks, and solutions;
  • Determine the product’s key user value;
  • Evaluate competition;
  • Develop the client image;
  • Define KPIs;
  • Outline the main product features and details;
  • Create a value chain map with modules, streams, and use cases.

All of this allows us to make a project estimate with a detailed roadmap that includes the scope and time of work, key milestones, and deadlines. 

2. Development and Implementation

After a project’s roadmap is outlined, the actual “development” begins.

Our design team creates a UX/UI brand book with elaborate visual materials and nuanced user experiences based on market research and trends.

Meanwhile, our coding department implements the actual back-end and front-end functionalities of the product. 

This stage allows to: 

  • Develop the product’s prototype;
  • Create a holistic brand image; 
  • Develop the program functionalities of the product;
  • Create and support the database;
  • Conduct initial product testing. 

3. Releasing and Maintenance 

Once the product is developed and tested, it is ready for release and subsequent maintenance.

At this point, our team prepares technical documentation and transfers the product from the development environment to the public internet.

This stage includes:

  • Preparation for the release;
  • Publishing the product on public sites;
  • Subsequent product maintenance and monitoring;
  • Technical documentation.

Frankly speaking, it is the end of the project’s lifecycle. That said, this stage is a continuous process and our experts remain in touch to resolve any technical issues. 

Software development team management

Our project manager is always there to help you at every stage of the production journey.

We know that any project or task has an individual set of requirements in terms of daily team collaboration, planning, and execution – which requires an appropriate management approach to ensure smooth software development.    

At MintyMint, we have found the following management practices to be the best for us and our clients: 

Waterfall 

A linear management methodology, it implies a detailed project roadmap with consecutive work stages that follow one another in a strict order.  

Waterfall’s advantages: 

  • Clear end-product vision; 
  • Defined scope of work; 
  • Continuous development process; 
  • Strict project timeframe. 

Scrum 

Scrum is an agile project management approach. It implies dividing the work into iterative stages called “sprints”, where the progress is constantly updated and reevaluated at online meetings.

Scrum is best used for: 

  • Big and complex projects;
  • Increased client engagement; 
  • Gradual development process;
  • Continuous progress review.

Kanban 

A lean management model that revolves around balancing project priorities and team capacities. Kanban offers visualized process oversight via the Kanban board and allows to avoid bottlenecks and reduce both technical debt and WIP (work in progress).  

Kanban is good for: 

  • Efficiency-orientated development; 
  • Flexible development process; 
  • Limited resources;
  • Visualized workflow.

Custom software development process

Depending on the client’s needs and setup, it is possible to combine different project management practices for greater productivity and customer satisfaction.

Custom Management Approach

Technology and expertise

As for the technology in the arsenal of our IT experts – there are really no boundaries. Our software specialists’ combined experience and skillsets are versatile enough to adjust to every client’s specific needs. 

Some of the technologies we often work with include: 

Backend:

JavaScript, Typescript, PHP, Laravel, Node.js

Frontend: 

Angular.js, React.js, Vue.js, Next.js, Bootstrap, WordPress

Mobile apps: 

React Native (for cross-platform apps), Swift, Kotlin

AI / ML

Python

Hiring MintyMint’s specialists, you can rely on our team’s substantial expertise in software development for various industries like fintech, healthcare, eCommerce, social media, and many more.

From digital banks and trading solutions to mobile insurance tools, crowdfunding platforms, online marketplaces, catering services, and business optimization tools – we have the knowledge and experience required to turn your ideas into marketable products

Final word

Now that you know every nuance of our team’s software development workflow, you can see whether it fits in with your current goals and needs.

Naturally, every project requires a unique approach. So, if you have any questions regarding how MintyMint can help you fulfill your IT goals – feel free to reach out!  

Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Explained: How Does It All Work?

Blockchain has been a hot topic in recent years, and while the hype is somewhat decreasing, the technology is actually conquering not only the financial industry, but also the markets of education, trade, business, and many more. 

What exactly is Blockchain? What is its future? And why is it important for the ever-growing infosphere? 

Let’s have a closer look at the technology to find it all out! 

What is blockchain technology and how does it work?

At the core of it, Blockchain is a shared database. Wikipedia defines Blockchain as a “distributed ledger that can record transactions between two parties in a verifiable and permanent way”. In simple terms, the system represents a chain of data blocks, each containing encrypted information about the other blocks to ensure coherency. 

Okay, maybe “simple terms” don’t quite apply here.

To better understand the notion, it is helpful to look at its application using a real-world example. Something like a kids’ game…

The main idea behind blockchain

Perhaps some will recognize this game from way back.

It’s simple – participants repeat a given message to one another in a whisper, going from first to last one in a row. Now, you know how people and especially kids are… They get distracted, muffle words, play around, and so on. So usually you get a distorted message after a round or two into the game, and that’s the whole fun.

Now, replace participants with people on the Internet who have slightly more important information to share. Something like bank account data, or business contract details, or a money exchange operation – something that has to be 100% accurate. Just like in the game, someone may accidentally or deliberately interfere with the transfer of information and cause damage.

blockchain technology - how does it work ?

This is exactly where blockchain comes in handy. It serves as a cheat sheet for the participants, so they can check with the “true” information whenever a message is transferred. Like that, they will never fool or get fooled during the game.   

Of course, the process is much more complex than a paper prompt with real data operations, but the idea behind it is quite the same. 

History of blockchain technology

While the idea of a distributed database appeared back in the 90s, the technology only took shape as late as 2008, when Satoshi Nakamoto developed a transaction ledger for the Bitcoin cryptocurrency. 

Bitcoin soon blew up and became a global thing, giving way to other cryptocurrencies as well. But the blockchain technology proceeded to expand beyond the notion of e-currencies – becoming the people’s choice wherever multiple parties share sensitive information. 

How does blockchain work technically

In a blockchain system, data is stored in blocks attributed to participants of the chain (nodes).

The effectiveness of such a database model relies on three pillars of security. 

Those are: 

1. Hashing 

Each block in a blockchain consists of three essential components:  

  • The block’s data – the information a block carries. 
  • The block’s hash – essentially a recorded version of the block’s data encrypted into a unique code number. 
  • The previous block’s hash – a hash number of the previous block.

So, this is how blockchain works:

In a traditional data system, where information is stored in one place, it’s relatively easy to temper by accessing its single point of failure.

In a chain of blocks, on the other hand, information is equally divided among the participants, so tempering with it would require hacking most, if not all the nodes.

This is called the consensus protocol – a collective verification of the chain’s elements, and it is ensured by the hash and the previous block’s hash numbers within every block (see picture below).

In practice, whenever block A is changed it receives a new hash value, which then has to be “approved” by changing block B’s previous block’s hash value accordingly, which will effectively change its own hash value. It then has to be approved by Block C’s previous block hash… and so on.

Like that, the initial operation will only be authorized when all participants acknowledge it and adjust their records accordingly. Otherwise, any change within the chain invalidates it due to not matching hash value sequences.

It’s like playing a game where everyone keeps a scorecard to check the true results.

Visual representation of a block's components in a blockchan

So, in order to successfully modify a block in a blockchain, all nodes have to confirm the new hash number of that block, effectively creating a “new” chain. More so, in order to temper with a single block, one would have to alter over 50% of them all.

However…     

2. Proof of work

Surprisingly enough, modern computers are technically capable to do that, which is why Blockchain technology utilizes so-called proof of work

Proof of work is a mechanism that slows down the creation of new blocks. It is a calculation that needs to be executed before a new block is established or edited. For cryptocurrencies, it usually takes up to 10 minutes to fulfill. Paired with hashing, this makes tampering with blocks within a blockchain virtually impossible. 

More so, there is another way the technology achieves its Troyan-like wall of security.   

3. Data distribution 

In a blockchain-based database, each node represents a link of the chain without which the entirety of it falls apart – just like an actual chain. Each node stores a copy of the blockchain, protected by a combination of public and private cryptography keys. 

data distribution between nods in a blockchain

Like that, instead of being held centrally, Blockchain data is stored across the network. So, it has neither centralized vulnerabilities nor central points of failure. Since there are no “main” copies of the blockchain with all users granted equal “trust” within the network – there is nothing hackers can actually target to compromise the system. It’s like fighting a myriad of shadows that cast one another. 

All of this makes a blockchain virtually incorruptible. 

Types of Blockchain

As with any technology out there, there are several types of blockchain each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Those are: 

Public blockchain

A public blockchain is completely free to access. This means that anyone with an Internet connection can join in and become a validator to execute the consensus protocol. 

This does not mean that participants have access to each other’s block data, which is well protected by private crypto keys. This just means that multiple people ensure a proper hash sequence to grant the chain’s coherence. 

Private blockchain

Private blockchains (also called peer-to-peer databases) are held on secluded bases and require permission to be accessed. Therefore, you need an invitation from the admin to join in and participate. 

While widely applied, private blockchains are generally less secure and are not as “invincible” as public ones. This is because there are admins with advanced rights over the chain, which means a potential centralized point of vulnerability. Nevertheless, private blockchains are a quite popular solution these days. 

Hybrid blockchain

Hybrid blockchains represent a particular combination of public and private chains, depending on which of the methods applies to which parts of the system architecture. 

A hybrid approach provides the owners of a chain with some sort of control over the network while maintaining the security level close to that provided by a fully public blockchain. 

Sidechain

A sidechain is essentially a “backup” version of a blockchain that runs in parallel on the main system and stores the same data while remaining independent by using an individual consensus protocol.

This is virtually another level of security on top of the already secure blockchain system.  

Blockchain real-life use cases

Now that you have a general understanding of what Blockchain is and how it operates, let’s look into where the technology can actually be applied. 

Cryptocurrency exchange

One of the primary examples of blockchain application in real life is cryptocurrency – a digital currency that uses cryptography to secure online transactions.

Cryptocurrency can be used to buy and sell goods just like US dollars or Euro and are rather reliable, although extremely volatile due to no price regulations.

Some of the most used cryptocurrencies are Ethereum and Bitcoin.

Cryptocurrencies have been the pioneer when it comes to blockchain-based monetary operations, paving the way for other financial systems to follow. That said, cryptocurrencies represent only a part of the blockchain’s potential in the niche.  

Dapps and smart contracts

Smart contracts are another point of blockchain’s application. 

Chris DeRose describes smart contracts as “self-automated computer programs that can carry out the terms of any contract. Financial security held in escrow by a network that is routed to recipients based on future events, and computer code.”  

Businesses can use smart contracts to go around regulations and lower the costs of financial operations while maintaining rigid security. This may be useful wherever multiple parties fulfill legal operations, including document turnover, trade, B2C and B2B services, goods supply, commodities renting, social networking… you name it. 

NFT marketplaces

Another type of phenomenon relying on the blockchain is NFT (non-fungible token) – a digital asset that represents ownership of physical or digital items. It can be art, music, real estate, or a fantasy football card altogether.

NFT’s blockchain nature makes it unique, reliable, and virtually irreplicable, ensuring the authenticity of ownership rights.

Other niches

 Other areas of blockchain application include:

  • Bank-less money transfers
  • Medical recordkeeping
  • Royalties tracking
  • Digital identity security
  • Anti-money laundering tracking system
  • Supply chain and logistics monitoring
  • Digital voting

The future of blockchain technology

While the technology is still developing and is not as dominant as one would wish for, BlockChain definitely has a huge potential to grow. 

The combination of simplicity, security, and universal applicability of blockchain makes it a true gem for tasks and projects across all major industries and niches of our digital activity. 

Starting from cryptocurrencies, Blockchain is slowly but surely conquering the preference of businesses around the world. And although a relatively young technology, it seems to be staying around for a long time, if not forever.    

Have questions about Blockchain and whether your business needs it? Leave us a note and we’ll reach back to you!

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