Category: Tech News

7 Reasons Why SaaS Development Is So Popular Now

One of the fastest-growing tech products in the market today is software as a service (SaaS). According to Statista, its market size could reach almost $200 billion by 2023.

There’s no better time to get a SaaS application development company onboard than now. You can piggyback on the team’s expertise, experience, and knowledge to build and launch a platform fast without compromising quality, security, and usefulness.

Making a move now also helps you maximize these seven huge SaaS benefits:

1. Cost-Effectiveness

Software as a Service (SaaS) is an attractive business model for many users, due to its cost-effective benefits.

 

  • No large upfront payment is required, allowing businesses to access quality software at a fraction of the cost of purchasing and hosting IT infrastructure.
  • Software costs are bundled into one low monthly fee, which reduces financial strain compared to making one-off payments.
  • Users can save time when adopting SaaS as it is quick and easy to set up and automatically update programs.

SaaS is also just as cost-effective for the development team. For example, developers don’t have to invest in an on-premise infrastructure. Instead, they can leverage cloud technology to host their applications.

2. Scalability

SaaS can also meet an organization’s or individual’s changing needs as their demand for a particular service or product shifts up or down. They can achieve this level of scalability in various ways:

 

  • Cloud infrastructure to add resources such as storage and processing power on the fly with no interruption to services
  • Multiple servers that provide the same software resource at different locations around the world
  • Usage charges can be based on consumption alone instead of committing to a flat payment rate.

As businesses become increasingly reliant on digital operations, it is easy to see why scalability within SaaS products is imperative for success.

3. Maintenance

SaaS is a beneficial and easy-to-maintain software model for all involved, from software developers to users.

Developers can create an online platform that allows customers to access their service without needing manual maintenance or installation. This significantly reduces maintenance costs and time due to only needing upgrades once at the system’s back end, rather than pushing out updates to multiple users.

This centralized deployment also drastically improves the scalability of software systems, which provides a great advantage for businesses that wish to save on both cost and effort.

For users, SaaS also benefits them in terms of cost as cloud computing becomes much more efficient for storing and handling large amounts of data without additional maintenance fees.

It also allows for real-time data access, increased accessibility from any location with an Internet connection, and a diminishing need for extensive IT support.

4. Security

This may be an unpopular opinion because the cloud is prone to cybersecurity risks. However, security is not a reason to avoid SaaS application development.

No system can be 100% secure, but there are certain steps that software developers can take to ensure their customer’s data remains safe and private.

Customers can rest assured that the cloud provider they use for SaaS has robust security measures in place, such as data encryption, access control, and identity management.

Furthermore, SaaS providers use a combination of software, hardware, and process-based approaches to ensure the security and privacy of their customer’s data.

5. Accessibility

The great advantage of Software as a Service is its accessibility from any device and at any time via the internet. So users can access their data and services from any location with an internet connection.

This improves collaboration internally and externally, as people are no longer tied to a single device or physical location. It also makes it easier for businesses to track user activity in real time, enabling them to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently.

Compared to on-premise or even cloud applications, which are typically only accessible from authorized devices and locations, SaaS offers a much more convenient solution for businesses looking for an efficient way to access their data.

6. Integration

Another benefit of SaaS applications is the ability to integrate easily with other software services and systems. This makes it easier for businesses to extend their offerings without building custom integrations from scratch or purchasing additional platforms.

It allows developers to create a more comprehensive solution that can be integrated into an existing ecosystem, making it easier for businesses to connect different applications and systems.

7. Collaboration

In the age of remote work and digital nomad lifestyle, SaaS encourages collaboration across teams and locations. It allows team members to share documents, access data from any device, co-edit projects in real time, and stay connected regardless of where they work.

In the process, businesses can manage distributed teams and create an environment that fosters greater collaboration between different departments and teams. SaaS also enables organizations to manage their projects more efficiently. For instance, team members can view changes quickly, eliminating the need for long email threads or tedious meetings.

Overall, the benefits of using SaaS applications are numerous. With its cost-effectiveness, scalability, accessibility, security, integration and collaboration capabilities. It is no wonder why more businesses are turning to it for their application development needs.  

 

Marks & Spencer Pilots Zyler Virtual Try-On Technology

UK department store Marks & Spencer and technology company Zyler partnered to deliver an in-store virtual try-on experience. M&S brought the technology to their Oxford Circus and Harrogate branches, where the feature was trialed with clothing brand Jaeger .

The introduction of this technology provides a personalized shopping journey where customers become the model. Shoppers add a head and shoulders photo and basic measurements to see themselves digitally in the Jaeger collection. Sales assistants guide customers through the process and give style advice.

Marks & Spencer pilots Zyler virtual try-on technology CEO of Zyler, Alexander Berend, describes the partnership as “a wonderful opportunity to get customers excited about shopping in-store. Shoppers could see themselves in the entire Jaeger range, including items not in stock at that location, to find the best items for them”. He adds, “We are delighted to be working with such an iconic brand as Marks & Spencer to improve the shopping experience”.

M&S Jaeger Zyler virtual try-on Zyler CEO, Alexander Berend

Visit http://www.zyler.com for more information about Zyler’s virtual try-on offerings.

Nursery Brand ClevaMama Helps Parents to Breathe Easy with its New Ozone Free Air Purifier

Leading nursery brand ClevaMama has announced the launch of its brand-new, one of the first of its kind, air purifier –ClevaPure Air Purifier, following their new research that over four in five parents (84 per cent) worry about their baby’s health more than ever before, and in particular, their exposure to allergens (60 per cent).

The new ClevaPure Air Purifier is Medical Grade and Ozone free and removes 99.95% of irritants which can trigger asthma and allergies in young children. Along with other great features, Mika, as it is affectionately known, is a medical grade Air Purifier which is suitable and safe for babies and their nursery.

ClevaMama believe that a healthier, happier, and cleaner nursery can help your child breathe easier and can have a huge impact on their development and future health.

The latest research reveals over 50 per cent of babies suffer with some form of allergy reaction, and over a fifth (21 per cent) of parents state they don’t get enough sleep when their child is having a reaction. These parents also worry more about their child than other parents due to their allergies (21 per cent).

In fact, parents believe that mould and dust (53 per cent) are deemed to be the factors most likely to cause their child’s allergies to be triggered, followed closely by pollen (47 per cent), having a pet (40 per cent), bedding, pillows and mattresses (29 per cent) and air pollution in their nursery (25 per cent).

With this in mind, half of respondents (51 per cent) stated they worry about the effects or air quality in their home and 61 per cent worry about the effects of pollution on their baby.

Given that babies spend on average 5.5 hours in their nursery each day, it is vital to ensure that it is a safe and clean space.

Shockingly, only three in ten (29 per cent) parents said they own an air purifier for their baby’s nursery. Yet, 67 per cent of respondents were aware that they should be using an air purifier to help remove irritants and allergens from their baby’s nursery, to help reduce allergies.

To work towards a healthy nursery, over three quarters of parents (76 per cent) stated they would be willing to pay more for products that would help protect their baby’s health, and three fifths (60 per cent) would rather buy allergy friendly certified products to not put their child at risk, even if they don’t have allergies.

ClevaMama’s new ClevaPure Air Purifier is one of the only affordable, medical grade, ozone free air purifiers on the market, helping to protect against pollutants, mould, dust mites, bacteria, allergens, pollen, viruses, smoke, and odors.

Yet, 52% of respondents were unaware that babies cannot use certain air purifiers which produce ozone, damaging their respiratory system as a result.

The stylish and clever medical grade Mika device works with a simple touch system or can be controlled by an app, so you can schedule when you use it.

Dr Nina Byrnes, Medical Expert and General Practitioner, said: “With asthma and allergies on the rise, it’s becoming apparent that pollution is having a lasting effect on baby’s health. Air purifiers are a great way of ensuring good quality air within your home but unfortunately, not all parents realise that most aren’t Ozone free, causing even more damage. The new ClevaPure Air Purifier contains medical grade filters and is specifically Ozone free, removing 99.5% of airborne allergens throughout your home. It’s a much-welcomed addition to the market, and as Ozone free purifiers are much safer for babies, it’s an incredibly important feature to have when choosing which air purifiers are best at keeping your family safe. As we head into the colder months, it’s arguably never been a more important time to keep allergies and pollution at bay, especially in the home.”

Designed to fit in any nursery, “Mika” will engage children through its unique robot style – the eyes light up happy when the air is clean and become sad when the air is not. Being lightweight and portable, Mika can be easily used anywhere, at home or while away.

ClevaPure Air Purifier will be available to purchase on the ClevaMama website  www.clevamama.com with an RRP of €224.99 and retailers nationwide.

Skullcandy and Dorito Bring Bold Self Expression with Latest Collaboration

Skullcandy, the #1 selling brand in stereo headphones and true wireless earbuds under $100, announced today a limited-edition collaboration with Doritos, the #1 flavoured tortilla chip brand. The exclusive drop reimagines the Skullcandy SLYR Multi-Platform Gaming Headset and Dime 2 True Wireless Earbuds in Doritos Red with a zesty UV-reactive “blacklight” effect that looks right at home alongside dialed-in RGB setups. Ideal for gaming at home or on the go, the limited-edition Skullcandy x Doritos drop is available now for purchase exclusively on Skullcandy.com and will ship mid-February.

“Skullcandy and self-expression are synonymous and this drop is no different. Together with Doritos, we’re adding a little flavour to a space traditionally saturated with muted colourways, allowing gamers to stand out from the competition,” said Derek Steiner, Director of Global Brand Partnerships, Skullcandy. “The SLYR and Dime 2 are the ideal products for this collab, both accessible and packed with flavour so gamers can boldly be themselves. The duo provides the best of both worlds – SLYR for gaming at home and Dime 2 for on-the-go mobile sessions.”

The newly-launched SLYR delivers rich, detailed audio, crystal-clear communication and all-day comfort. With premium audio drivers, SLYR delivers Supreme Sound and additional features designed to maximize the gaming experience. Next-level, in-game audio depth ensures that users not only hear enemies creeping up from behind but also the roar of the crowd. The ultra-compact Dime 2 earbuds are easy to carry for gaming on the go, and packed with features, including built-in Tile-finding technology so users never have to worry about losing their buds.

Skullcandy x Doritos Limited-Edition SLYR Multi-Platform Wired Gaming Headset – £69.99

  • UV-Reactive Glow Graphics

  • Skullcandy Supreme Sound – Unique audio-tuning process enables users to maximize the depth and detail of each sound

  • Multi-Platform Connectivity – Crystal clear audio on PC, Playstation, Switch and Xbox, levelling-up

  • the listening experience on any platform. And with the 3.5mm audio cable, SLYR is the definition of ‘plug and play’

  • Bi-Directional Mic – Improves voice pickup for enhanced communications and clarity in multiplayer settings

  • Mute & Volume Control – Easy-to-reach, on-board controls enable gamers to quickly mute and adjust volume without gameplay interference

  • Durable, Lightweight Design – Constructed from tough, lightweight materials including head-conforming memory-foam ear cushions wrapped in moisture-wicking and breathable material for all-day comfort

Skullcandy x Doritos Limited-Edition Dime 2 True Wireless Earbuds – £39.99

  • UV-Reactive Glow Graphics

  • Built-In Tile Finding Technology

  • 12 Hours Total Battery Life

  • Microphone, Call, Track & Volume Controls

  • Auto Connect

  • IPX4 Sweat & Water Resistant

  • Micro-USB charging case with snap lid and integrated lanyard

  • Ultra-compact at just 2.45 inches long and 1.53 inches wide. The small, efficient battery cuts its carbon footprint to less than half that of other earbuds.

MOBATIME announces participation at Intersec 2023

The 24th edition of Intersec will be an excellent opportunity to discuss the topics & challenges faced by global leaders & professionals and present them with our competent solutions.

MOBATIME is excited to welcome all the visitors to discover their latest innovations at booth S1-A34. They will present their solution using various products and services that will be thoughtful to help you in the field of synchronization & time display. Unlike the last years, MOBATIME booth is equipped with a new concept whereby they can present more products than ever at Intersec 2023. You will get an impression of the extensive product portfolio but also the trend & technology behind it.

The Intersec 2023 is scheduled between 17 – 19 January 2023 at the World Trade Centre in Dubai, UAE. Visit them at their booth S1-A34 and discover their latest innovations. Let their experts advise you and let you know about the latest developments out of MOBATIME product portfolio.

See MOBATIME at booth S1-A34!  get in touch with them

Dell Technologies supports Ulster University in developing a digital experience for students and staff

Dell Technologies has today announced that it is supporting Ulster University on its digital transformation journey by enabling the third-level institute to develop a consistent digital experience for its 34,000 students, research, teaching and professional services staff. The collaboration has supported the modernisation of Ulster University’s compute and storage infrastructure helping to remove data silos in its Northern Ireland campuses.

As a university stretching across four campuses in Belfast, Coleraine, Jordanstown and Magee, Ulster University needed to provide students with the digital infrastructure required by a modern learning environment while also continuing to deliver world-recognised research irrespective of location. However, with legacy data silos across campuses adding to the complexity and cost of its IT systems, the University faced many obstacles in providing one consistent experience for students and teaching staff across its sites.

Ulster University turned to Dell Technologies to overcome these challenges. Dell’s Hyper-Converged VxRail infrastructure, powered by Intel, enabled the university to consolidate its IT needs under one platform. This seamless, integrated and automated IT solution helped to break down data silos and provide a consistent experience for staff and students at the university. Additional benefits include zero downtime, reduced complexity, expanded scalability, and enhanced resilience within Ulster University’s IT systems.  

With the shift to hybrid learning and the rise in cyber threats, Ulster University also tapped into Dell’s expert team of experts to enhance its cyber resilience strategy. Through the guidance of Dell Technologies, Ulster University’s IT team can address any potential cyber threats and ensure robust recovery capability to restore operations in the case of an attack.  

George Maybury, Public Sector Director, Dell Technologies Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: “As a trusted partner of Ulster University for over 20 years, we have developed a strong relationship with this historic institution in Northern Ireland. From supporting the IT team as they modernise the University’s infrastructure to empowering researchers to use AI and Edge Computing as part of the Belfast Region City Deal, we’re making transformation real. Through our collaboration, Ulster University has also started its Cloud journey. Cloud is about transforming operations, and we are excited to have worked with the University to fuel that transformation well into the future.”  

Terence Nicholl, Head of Infrastructure and Operations, Ulster University, said: “As a single university with four unique sites, at Ulster University, we faced the challenge of ensuring a consistent teaching and learning experience for all of our staff and students. With the help of Dell Technologies, we were able to build a roadmap to rationalise and transform our existing infrastructure so that we could provide a seamless, single and consistent service provision while enhancing our cyber resilience.Thanks to strategic relationship we have with Dell, we are now confident that we can build on the achievements to date and strengthen the experience of Ulster University’s staff, students and visitors for many years to come.”

Audioscenic Partners with Razer and THX to Launch World’s First Desktop Soundbar #CES2023

Audioscenic, innovators in 3D audio beamforming technologies, announce a world first in the development of personalised and immersive sound reproduction without the need for headphones. Launching at CES 2023, Audioscenics proprietary loudspeaker array technology, head-tracking and AI capabilities come to life through the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro Soundbar.

Since 2016, Audioscenic have been on a mission aimed at revisiting the way we consume sound, by combining object-based audio and computer vision with research carried out at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research, University of Southampton. Audioscenic technology uses computer vision to track the position of listeners, sending separate narrow beams of sound to their left and right ears and delivering superb 3D audio directly to the listeners position.

The partnership between Razer and THX®, the world’s leading lifestyle brand for gamers, and the leading audio-video fidelity company, respectively, and Audioscenic signifies the beginning of a new era and a world first, driven by demand for immersive experiences. Launching at CES 2023, Razer’s new Soundbar for PC, the Leviathan V2 Pro, delivers a personalised and immersive soundstage, ensuring users have an optimal listening experience. Combining THX Spatial Audio, with Audioscenic’s beamforming technology with head-tracking AI, the Leviathan V2 Pro delivers immersive 3D audio thanks to the integrated IR camera that detects the user’s position. This allows the soundbar to adapt the audio beams to the listener’s positioning in real-time, ensuring the listener is always in the sweet spot for the best audio experience.

Co-Founder and Audioscenic Chief Technology Officer, Marcos Simon comments: “Spatial sound is seeing a tremendous increase in backing by the audio industry and we are proud to work with Razer and THX® Spatial Audio, to bring a product to market that defines the future of a user centric listening experience. The future of audio listening is spatial and integrating technology like ours to consumer products has the power to revolutionise the domestic audio scene.”

This pre mentioned ‘new era’ technology from Audioscenic is just the start, with enhanced spatial algorithms and THX Spatial Audio, the soundbar provides true-to-life 3D audio for all entertainment needs. 3D audio can be experienced in two modes. THX® Spatial Audio Virtual Headset for any 3D or binaural content, providing you with pinpoint positional audio previously only found in headsets. THX® Spatial Audio Virtual Speakers for any stereo or multi-channel content that provides a wide, room-filling soundstage that users would normally experience with a full home theatre system.

Barrie Ooi, Head of Razer’s PC Gaming Division, stated “Our partnership with Audioscenic marks a world first within consumer electronics. To achieve our goal of delivering a truly personalised listening experience for PC gamers, we had to be strategic in choosing technology partners and we went for the best. Audioscenic are experts in 3D audio beamforming and integrating their technology into the Razer Leviathan V2 Pro has allowed us to create a truly immersive audio experience that moves with the listener for game action, movie and music enjoyment.”

The Razer Leviathan V2 Pro will be available from February 2023, starting at $399.99 USD / €489.99 MSRP at Razer.com and RazerStore.

Irish Countdown Begins for Virgin Orbit’s €15M Cosmic Girl Launch at National Space Centre

All of Ireland will be focused the night sky this evening for the Virgin Orbit launch of the ‘Start Me Up’ mission, but nowhere more so than at National Space Centre, which is supporting Telemetry, Tracking and Control (TT&C) groundstation services for the €15M mission.

“We are thrilled to be working with our partners Leafspace and Goonhilly to provide TT&C for this historic launch from Cornwall,” commented Rory Fitzpatrick, CEO of National Space Centre at Elfordstown EarthStation near Midleton in Cork. “Interestingly, while it will be a first for the British, it will be the third time we’ve provided ground control data for a space launch at the NSC. We’ve previously supported RocketLabs’ Electron rocket launch and we also provided groundstation services for South Korea’s recent Nuri rocket launch for Contec.” 

NSC will be hosting a livestreamed watch event from National Space Centre as staff and partners gather to watch the Virgin Orbit jumbo jet known as ‘Cosmic Girl’ climb to 35,000 before air launching its LauncherOne rocket into orbit at youtube.com/@NationalSpaceCentreIRE. The event will start 5 minutes before launch, currently scheduled for 22:15. 

LauncherOne will then release eight miniaturised satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The LauncherOne mission will communicate with mission control at Spaceport Cornwall via a select network of ground stations, including one in Ireland at NSC. LauncherOne’s eight ’smallsat’ satellites, each the size of a cereal box, are being released into Low Earth Orbit for various Virgin customers.

Zaamigo’s Camera Helps Improve Dental Hygiene With AI

Brushing your teeth properly is trickier than it sounds, and dentists spend a surprising amount of time telling patients that their dental hygiene is not up to scratch. To help tackle this problem, ETH spin-off Zaamigo has launched a new device that lets anyone check how clean their teeth are – and tells them when it’s time to visit the dentist. The device, which looks rather like an electric toothbrush, features a miniature camera that takes microscopic images of your teeth and gums. The images are then processed in an app by means of artificial intelligence. As well as providing useful indications of tartar build-up, discolouration and gum inflammation, the software also offers tips on exactly how and where you could be brushing better and whether you need to visit your dentist. The dental camera is easy to use, which makes it a good choice for kids, too. In future, Zaamigo plans to add additional features to the system to help diagnose tooth decay and nocturnal teeth grinding.

Benefits:
– Examine your teeth in your own bathroom
– Early detection of poor dental care
– Personalized tips to improve dental hygiene

Zaamigo tooth camera

Intra-oral cameras used to be so expensive that only dental professionals could afford them. Zaamigo is now making the technology available to everyone.

The camera connects wirelessly to iPhones and iPads. The images are then analyzed with AI. Plaque build-up, inflammation and stains are localized and tracked over time. The app is gamified and actionable insights are presented. See more over at

https://zaamigo.com/