oday’s banks are facing the challenges of tightening budgets and continuous demands to reduce costs while handling the constant stream of new regulations. They are also under immense pressure to meet the increasingly complex demands of the real-time, digital customer. Technology is inevitably playing a core role in helping them address these issues.

Many banks are transitioning from high-cost, in-house systems to more agile and flexible managed services, such as business process outsourcing, application management, and software-as-a-service (SaaS). The world is changing, and new entrants are entering the market.  The very basics of how banks do business are evolving. To stay in the game, banks need to invest in leading-edge technology and innovation while ensuring their core infrastructures offer the right foundation for real organic growth and expanded customer wallet share.

The energy sector is a complex one at the best of times, but lately it seems to be beset with an exceptional load of problems. For example, the freak snow storm in the US Northeast this fall cause long power outages that led to customer outrage and a flurry of executive departures. In this case, a major setback to the industry was the backlash of customer anger and dissatisfaction – a troubling outcome for utilities that need to provide exceptional service to retain their customers.

Technology can help the utilities improve their service levels. A utility company should use its personnel on the street most effectively and efficiently to improve customer service. Utilities should make collaboration technology a major service improvement priority, and determine which of the myriad devices now available-laptops, netbooks, smartphones, tablets, walkie-talkies-are the most effective for their street-level personnel, and how those devices can be integrated into their back-end systems to best serve their customers and the organization.

Regulations

From hours-of-service to E-log devices to fuel emission requirements, government rules dictate almost everything about operating a truck. Most of the rules are designed to make trucking safer, but they also create a lot of red tape and extra expense for drivers and fleets.

Fuel Savings

Although diesel prices are currently low, saving on fuel and increasing fuel efficiency remain priorities for fleets of all sizes. Fuel card programs are one solution, providing discounts on diesel and many other services for trucking companies.

Regulation and traceability

The manufacturing sector, like so many sectors, is facing increasing regulation and compliance measures. Everything from health and safety to waste management is surrounded in red tape. While it is undeniable some regulations are essential, other can be a massive burden to manufacturing companies – particularly when they vary from country to country.

SEE MORE: Manufacturing tech trends facing the industry in 2015

Now more than ever, manufacturers must ensure they have complete visibility throughout their supply chain for their own compliance and that of their suppliers. Regulations often require the ability to track items and materials used during the manufacturing process.

Companies in highly regulated industries, such as medical devices, are facing new regulations including UDI (Universal Device Identification) and ePedigree requirements, while chemical and electronics manufacturers deal with REAC (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restrictions of Chemicals) and similar laws.

If you are planning to develop an app, your focus should be more on ‘what not to do’ than on ‘what to do’. There are several challenges faced by developers every time they start working on a new mobile app.

 In this post, we highlight the 10 biggest challenges and how you can overcome them.

1. Creating Apps which Get Noticed: There’s immense competition in the mobile app market  and honestly, it’s very crowded. Thus, there’s a constant pressure to create apps which get noticed. After all, you don’t want to get lost.

Solution: Create an app which looks great. Include graphics, usable features, and intuitive design. Aim at providing a wholesome experience. Take cues from successful apps in your niche to understand what clicks with users. Answer the following questions, and you’ll know if your idea can crack into this competitive market.

The recent “Great Recession” has caused turmoil across the country for consumers and businesses alike. The financial services industry has been especially hard-hit. Although financial institutions deal with recurring industry issues every year, they now operate in a new economic context after the financial crisis.

Some of the issues financial institutions face today include:

• Promoting growth and sustaining profitability in an environment with low interest rates
• Rebuilding asset quality and strengthening capital positions
• Developing new and reliable sources of revenue
• Increasing the business value of customer relationships, especially when customers have become more demanding
• Restoring public confidence in the industry
• Competing with aggressive, innovative non-traditional competitors
• Incorporating a risk management culture into daily operations