#Feedback managemement Software

[beyondanimations-blog]

Mastering the Art of Image Editing: A Comprehensive Guide to Learning Photoshop

As the gold standard for image editing and manipulation, Adobe Photoshop is a must-have skill for creatives looking to excel in graphic design, photography, and digital art. With its vast array of tools and features, Photoshop can seem daunting to beginners, but with the right approach, anyone can master this powerful software. In this blog, we'll take you on a journey to learning Photoshop, covering the basics, advanced techniques, and expert tips to help you unlock your creative potential.

Why Learning Photoshop is a Must for Graphic Designers

Photoshop is an indispensable tool for anyone working with images. Whether you're a professional photographer, graphic designer, or social media influencer, learning Photoshop can help you:

Enhance your pictures: Improve the quality and aesthetic of your photos with advanced editing techniques.

Increase productivity: Streamline your workflow with Photoshop's powerful automation tools and shortcuts.

Stand out from the competition: Create unique and captivating visuals that set you apart from others in your field.

Boost your career: Develop a valuable skill that's in high demand across various industries.

Getting Started with Learning Photoshop

Before diving into the world of Photoshop, it's essential to understand the basics. Here are some key concepts to get you started:

Understanding the interface: Familiarize yourself with Photoshop's layout, including the toolbar, menu bar, and workspace.

Basic selection tools: Learn how to use the marquee tool, lasso tool, and magic wand to select and manipulate objects.

Layers and layer masks: Understand how to work with layers, layer masks, and blending modes to create complex compositions.

Basic adjustments: Learn how to make basic adjustments to brightness, contrast, and color balance.

Advanced Techniques for Learning Photoshop

Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to take your skills to the next level. Here are some advanced techniques to help you become a Photoshop pro:

Layer blending modes: Experiment with different blending modes to create unique and captivating effects.

Masking and compositing: Learn how to use layer masks and compositing techniques to create realistic and seamless compositions.

Retouching and restoration: Develop your skills in retouching and restoring images, including removing blemishes, noise, and artifacts.

Advanced selection techniques: Master advanced selection techniques, including using the pen tool, select and mask, and focus area.

Learn Photoshop from Beyond Animation offers the best Photoshop course in Jaipur.

Expert Tips for Learning Photoshop

To take your Photoshop skills to the next level, here are some expert tips to keep in mind:

Practice, practice, practice: The key to mastering Photoshop is practice. Set aside time each week to practice and experiment with new techniques.

Watch tutorials and online courses: Take advantage of online resources, including tutorials, classes, and YouTube channels, to learn from industry experts.

Join a community: Connect with other Photoshop users through online forums, social media groups, and meetups to share knowledge and get feedback.

Experiment and take risks: Don't be afraid to try new things and take risks. Photoshop is all about experimentation and creativity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Learning Photoshop

When learning Photoshop, it's easy to fall into common mistakes that can hinder your progress. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

Over-reliance on presets: While presets can be useful, relying too heavily on them can limit your creativity and understanding of Photoshop's tools.

Not saving regularly: Make sure to save your work regularly to avoid losing progress and data.

Not using layers: Failing to use layers can lead to a cluttered and disorganized workspace, making it difficult to edit and manipulate images.

Not understanding color management: Failing to understand color management can

result in inconsistent and inaccurate color representation.

Lightroom or Photoshop: Which is Right for You?

When it comes to image editing, many photographers and creatives wonder whether to use Lightroom or Photoshop. The answer depends on your specific needs and goals. Learning Lightroom is ideal for batch processing, cataloging, and organizing your images, while Photoshop is better suited for advanced image manipulation and editing. By mastering both Lightroom and Photoshop, you'll be able to create a seamless workflow that takes your image editing skills to the next level. Make a career in web designing with the best web designing course in jaipur from Beyond Animation.

The pros and cons of Learning Photoshop

Particularly when you use Camera Raw, a RAW editor that is quite comparable to Lightroom, Photoshop has a lot of the same functionality as Lightroom. Photoshop is software used for the very end of the workflow and utilized for very particular tasks. But it would help if you never undervalued Photoshop's ability. These are some Photoshop pros and cons!

Pros:

blending of various files for head switching, compositing, sky addition, texture addition, and other layer-dependent components

Adjusting opacity, masking, and blend modes

limitless options for editing

sophisticated tools for adjusting picture quality or expanding the canvas

Improved cloning that quickly eliminates difficult components

Multiple tools for sharpening

Many approaches to making difficult decisions

Process stages can be recorded as actions for convenient recurrence.

Offers capabilities for sophisticated retouching and altering reality's form, such as bending and liquifying.

Photoshop is the application you should use if you want to learn graphic design!

Cons:

Workflow is clunky in comparison to Lightroom. To get a process that is comparable to Lightroom, you need to use Photoshop, Camera Raw, and Bridge.

simpler to alter a single image

Absence of synchronization

It is not as useful for wedding or portrait photographers who are preparing many shots at once.

Possibility of more damaging editing

less natural learning

Conclusion

Learning Photoshop is a journey that requires patience, dedication, and practice. By mastering the basics, intermediate techniques, and advanced strategies outlined in this guide, you'll be well on your way to becoming a Photoshop expert. Remember to stay curious, keep practicing, and always be open to learning new skills. With Lightroom or Photoshop at your fingertips, the possibilities are endless. Start your career with Beyond Animation with a graphic designing course in jaipur. So, what are you waiting for? Start your learning Photoshop journey today and unlock the full potential of this powerful image editing software!

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[rinkisaha12]

Innovative Ways Store Management Software Can Enhance Employee Productivity

The Importance of Employee Productivity

In the competitive landscape of modern retail, employee productivity is a crucial determinant of success. Efficient and motivated employees not only boost sales but also enhance the overall customer experience, leading to increased customer loyalty and long-term profitability.

The Role of Store Management Software

Store management software has emerged as a pivotal tool in streamlining operations and enhancing productivity. By integrating various functionalities into a cohesive system, it empowers employees to perform their tasks more efficiently and effectively.

Innovative Ways Store Management Software are:

Streamlined Communication

Real-time Messaging and Updates

Effective communication is the backbone of any successful business operation. Store management software facilitates real-time messaging, allowing employees to stay connected with their team and management. Instant updates ensure that everyone is on the same page, minimizing misunderstandings and enhancing coordination.

Collaborative Platforms

Collaborative platforms within store management software enable employees to work together seamlessly. These platforms support document sharing, project collaboration, and real-time feedback, fostering a culture of teamwork and mutual support. By bridging communication gaps, employees can work more cohesively towards common goals.

Efficient Task Management

Automated Task Allocation

Assigning tasks manually can be time-consuming and prone to errors. Store management software automates task allocation based on employee skills, availability, and current workload. This ensures that tasks are assigned efficiently, reducing idle time and enhancing productivity.

Progress Tracking and Reporting

Tracking the progress of tasks is essential for maintaining productivity. Store management software offers robust tools for monitoring task completion and generating detailed reports. These reports provide insights into individual and team performance, helping managers identify areas for improvement.

Inventory Management

Real-time Inventory Tracking

Accurate inventory management is critical for retail success. Store management software provides real-time inventory tracking, enabling employees to monitor stock levels effortlessly. This reduces the chances of stockouts and overstocking, ensuring that the right products are always available for customers.

Automated Stock Replenishment

Manual stock replenishment is labor-intensive and often inaccurate. With store management software, stock replenishment can be automated based on predefined thresholds. This not only saves time but also ensures that inventory levels are maintained optimally, preventing losses due to stock discrepancies.

Scheduling and Time Management

Optimized Shift Scheduling

Scheduling shifts manually can be a daunting task, often leading to conflicts and inefficiencies. Store management software optimizes shift scheduling by considering employee preferences, availability, and store requirements. This results in balanced schedules that enhance employee satisfaction and productivity.

Time Clock Integration

Integrating time clocks with store management software streamlines time tracking and attendance management. Employees can clock in and out seamlessly, and managers can monitor attendance patterns and address issues promptly. This reduces time theft and ensures accurate payroll processing.

Enhanced Training and Development

Interactive Training Modules

Training is vital for employee growth and productivity. Store management software offers interactive training modules that employees can access at their convenience. These modules are designed to be engaging and informative, helping employees acquire new skills and improve their performance.

Performance Analytics

Analyzing employee performance is essential for identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Store management software provides detailed performance analytics, enabling managers to track progress and tailor training programs accordingly. This targeted approach to training enhances overall productivity.

Customer Relationship Management

Customer Data Integration

Understanding customer preferences is key to delivering personalized service. Store management software integrates customer data, providing employees with insights into buying patterns and preferences. This enables employees to offer tailored recommendations, enhancing the customer experience.

Personalized Service Enhancements

With access to comprehensive customer data, employees can provide personalized service that meets individual customer needs. Store management software supports this by offering tools for creating personalized promotions and loyalty programs, fostering stronger customer relationships.

Data-Driven Decision Making

Analytics and Reporting Tools

Data is a powerful tool for making informed decisions. Store management software offers advanced analytics and reporting tools that provide insights into various aspects of store operations. These tools help managers make data-driven decisions that enhance efficiency and productivity.

Predictive Analytics

Predictive analytics takes data analysis a step further by forecasting future trends and behaviors. Store management software leverages predictive analytics to anticipate customer demands, optimize inventory levels, and plan marketing strategies. This proactive approach enables stores to stay ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

Store management software is a game-changer for enhancing employee productivity. From streamlined communication and efficient task management to optimized scheduling and data-driven decision making, it equips employees with the tools they need to perform their best.

As technology continues to evolve, store management software will become even more sophisticated, offering new functionalities and integrations. Embracing these innovations will be crucial for retailers looking to stay competitive and ensure sustained growth. The future of retail is bright, with store management software leading the way to greater efficiency and productivity.

[linksubm-blog]

How do I find out what I need to improve my productivity?

Improving productivity is a goal many strive for, whether it's in a professional setting, while managing personal tasks, or balancing a mix of both. Understanding what specifically needs improvement is crucial for making meaningful changes. Here’s a guide to help you identify areas to enhance your productivity and strategies to address them.

Self-Assessment: Identifying Your Strengths and Weaknesses Reflect on Your Routine: Take a close look at your daily routine. Write down how you spend your time each day, noting periods of high and low productivity. Identifying patterns can help you see where changes are needed.

Set Clear Goals: Define what productivity means to you. Is it completing more tasks in a day, working more efficiently, or achieving a better work-life balance? Clear goals will provide direction and help measure progress.

Evaluate Your Environment: Your environment can significantly impact your productivity. Assess your workspace to ensure it is organized, free of distractions, and equipped with the tools you need. A cluttered, noisy, or uncomfortable environment can hinder your efficiency.

Time Management: Optimizing How You Spend Your Time Track Your Time: Use time-tracking tools or apps to monitor how you spend your time. This can reveal surprising insights about how much time is wasted on non-essential activities.

Prioritize Tasks: Implement a task management system like the Eisenhower Matrix, which categorizes tasks by urgency and importance. Focus on high-priority tasks first to ensure essential work gets done.

Schedule Breaks: Regular breaks can prevent burnout and keep you focused. Techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes and taking a 5-minute break, can enhance concentration.

Skills and Tools: Leveraging Resources to Boost Efficiency Identify Skill Gaps: Evaluate the skills required for your tasks and identify any gaps. This could be time management, technical skills, or even interpersonal skills. Investing in training or courses to bridge these gaps can significantly improve productivity.

Utilize Productivity Tools: Incorporate tools and apps designed to streamline workflows. Project management software like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com can help keep track of tasks and deadlines. Communication tools like Slack or Microsoft Teams can improve collaboration.

Automation: Automate repetitive tasks wherever possible. This could be setting up email filters, using scheduling software, or employing tools that automate data entry. Automation saves time and reduces errors.

Mindset and Habits: Cultivating a Productive Mindset Set Realistic Expectations: Setting unattainable goals can lead to frustration and decreased motivation. Break larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks to maintain momentum and a sense of accomplishment.

Develop a Routine: Consistent routines can enhance productivity. Start your day with a specific morning routine that sets a positive tone. Establish set times for starting and ending work to create boundaries.

Practice Mindfulness and Stress Management: Stress can severely impact productivity. Techniques like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or regular physical activity can reduce stress and improve focus.

Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Learning and Adapting Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or mentors. They may provide valuable insights into areas where you can improve that you might not have noticed.

Review and Reflect: Regularly review your progress towards your productivity goals. Reflect on what strategies are working and which are not. Be willing to adapt and try new approaches.

Celebrate Achievements: Recognize and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. Celebrating milestones can boost morale and keep you motivated.

Finding out what you need to improve your productivity involves a combination of self-assessment, effective time management, leveraging the right tools, cultivating a productive mindset, and seeking continuous feedback. By taking a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing productivity barriers, you can make meaningful changes that lead to sustained improvements. Remember, productivity is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. Experiment with different strategies and be patient with yourself as you strive to become more productive.

[workflowplatformtool]

Workflow Management: A Comprehensive Guide

Workflow management is the backbone of efficient business operations. It's the systematic organization of resources and tasks, guiding processes from initiation to completion. By understanding and implementing effective workflow management strategies, businesses can streamline their operations, enhance accountability, and reduce project risks. Let's delve deeper into the concept of workflow management, exploring its definition, historical context, and practical examples.

What is a workflow?

A workflow is essentially a blueprint outlining the sequence of events required to accomplish a specific task or objective. It provides clarity on how tasks should progress from initiation to completion, defining the roles, responsibilities, and dependencies involved. Workflows come in various types, including process, project, and case workflows.

Process workflows are highly structured and predictable, ideal for tasks with standardized procedures, such as car manufacturing. Project workflows, on the other hand, offer more flexibility and customization, catering to unique project requirements. Case workflows are dynamic and adaptable, responding to the specific circumstances of each case or request, such as IT support tickets or insurance claims.

The history of workflows

The concept of workflow management dates back to the early 20th century, with pioneers like Polish engineer Karol Adamiecki developing rudimentary workflow systems. Adamiecki's "harmonogram," created in the late 19th century, utilized paper strips to visualize task sequences and durations, providing managers with insights into production timelines and resource allocation.

Subsequent advancements, including Henry Gantt's eponymous charts in the early 20th century, further refined workflow visualization techniques. Gantt charts revolutionized project management by visually representing task dependencies and timelines, laying the groundwork for modern workflow management practices.

Workflow examples

Employee onboarding: The onboarding process for new employees involves multiple stages, from document management to contract signing. A structured workflow ensures that each step is executed efficiently, with clear communication between HR managers and new hires. Leveraging tools like shared folders and electronic signature platforms streamlines the onboarding process, enhancing productivity and compliance.

Developing a video campaign: Collaborative projects, such as video campaigns, require seamless coordination between clients and agencies. A well-defined workflow guides the creation and review process, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality content. Platforms like Dropbox facilitate file sharing, feedback collection, and version control, simplifying complex project workflows.

Ad hoc project management: In dynamic client partnerships, unforeseen requests and scope changes are inevitable. Effective workflow management prepares teams to handle ad hoc tasks seamlessly, with established document management procedures and task prioritization mechanisms. Tools like Dropbox Paper enable real-time collaboration and task tracking, promoting agility and responsiveness.

Process mapping workflows: Creating and optimizing workflow diagrams is essential for continuous improvement. By documenting existing processes and soliciting feedback from stakeholders, organizations can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, driving process optimization initiatives. Integrating workflow management software, like Dropbox, enhances visibility and automation, empowering teams to work more efficiently.

In conclusion, workflow management is essential for optimizing business processes, enhancing productivity, and mitigating risks. By understanding the fundamentals of workflow design, leveraging historical insights, and embracing modern tools and technologies, organizations can unlock the full potential of their operations. From employee onboarding to project management, effective workflow management drives organizational success in today's dynamic business environment.

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[restaurantify]

Restaurant Staffing 101: Expert Tips and Strategies for Hiring the Best

In the realm of the food service industry, human capital is the linchpin. Every facet of a restaurant, from food preparation to service, hinges on its employees. Yet, the challenge of finding and retaining the right team members remains one of the most daunting aspects of running a restaurant.

Your restaurant's staff is not just a workforce; they are an extension of your brand and a crucial component of your management system. Therefore, investing time and effort in hiring and training the right staff is paramount.

This article serves as your 'Restaurant Staffing Guide,' offering insights into finding, hiring, and retaining the best talent for your restaurant.

What is Restaurant Staffing?

Restaurant staffing encompasses the entire process, from recruiting and retaining employees to crafting daily shift schedules. Depending on the venue's size and type, staffing may involve hiring and training specialized front-of-house and back-of-house staff or a select few versatile employees donning multiple roles.

Why is Staffing Restaurants So Challenging?

A staggering 30% of restaurant owners and managers consider staffing the most challenging aspect of their business, surpassing concerns like accounting, inventory, and marketing. Several factors contribute to this difficulty:

High Turnover: Restaurants often replace up to three out of every four staff members annually, incurring significant costs in productivity loss and hiring expenses.

Labor Shortage: The global labor shortage, exacerbated by the pandemic, has hit the restaurant industry hard. The diminishing labor pool poses a constant challenge in finding skilled personnel.

High Labor Costs: Labor constitutes a substantial portion (31.6%) of a restaurant's operational costs. Balancing rising wages and labor demands within slim profit margins is a perpetual struggle.

Low Profit Margins: With an average profit margin of 10.6%, restaurants have little financial flexibility, making it challenging to meet increasing labor costs.

Demanding Regulations: Adhering to labor laws while navigating hiring, scheduling, and other staffing nuances adds complexity to the process.

8 Restaurant Staff Hiring Tips

Develop a Specific Job Description: Craft a detailed job description to attract qualified candidates.

Define Success in the Job Posting: Clearly articulate what success means for your restaurant and the specific role in question.

Identify the Right Employees: Target networks that yield high-quality candidates for your job advertisement.

Conduct Screening Interviews: Conduct preliminary phone interviews to ensure applicants possess the necessary knowledge.

Do More Than Just Ask Questions: Evaluate candidates by incorporating challenges, role-playing, and shadowing in the interview process.

Contact References: Verify the credibility of your top candidate by contacting their references.

Make the Offer: Extend a job offer and be prepared to negotiate terms.

Set New Employees Up for Success: Provide thorough training and shadowing for a successful onboarding experience.

8 Tips for Managing and Retaining Staff

Provide Competitive Pay: Offer competitive remuneration to attract and retain high-quality employees.

Implement Fair and Flexible Scheduling: Flexible schedules reduce burnout, enhance job satisfaction, and decrease turnover.

Encourage Work-Life Balance: Offer regular breaks, days off, and vacation time to promote a healthy work-life balance.

Invest in Staff Professional Development: Support your employees' growth with training programs, workshops, and mentorship initiatives.

Reward Good Performance: Recognize and reward exceptional performance to foster a positive work environment.

Build an Open Communication Culture: Regularly provide constructive feedback and encourage employees to share ideas and concerns.

Embrace Technology: Incorporate technology for efficient operations, from scheduling software to inventory management tools.

Optimize Your Restaurant Staff for Success: Understand your personnel needs, attract skilled individuals, and provide competitive salaries and perks.

Wrapping Up: Guide to Restaurant Staffing

Hiring and retaining employees in the restaurant industry is undeniably challenging. Recent years have seen increased wages, high turnover, and a labor shortage. However, defining success, offering detailed job descriptions, and strategic hiring can mitigate staffing issues. Understanding the demands of front-of-house and back-of-house positions and addressing them appropriately is crucial for ensuring quality service, financial stability, and employee satisfaction.

Read the blog right away!

[sparkouttech]

Software development methodologies: What are they and what are they for?

The use of methodologies in business management is not new, but it has been updated in terms of the tools that are applied.

According to the study carried out by Gartner :

80% of large companies adopted agile methods for digital transformation processes during 2021.

That is why it is important that before executing a digital transformation project you take into account the following recommendations in this article.

What is a software development methodology?

A software development methodology is a set of practices, techniques, and tools used by software development teams to plan, design, develop, test, and deliver high-quality software in an effective and efficient manner

These processes establish the structure of the software life cycle, including requirements definition, design, coding, testing, implementation, and maintenance

They also establish roles and responsibilities for team members, processes for project management, communication and progress tracking.

What types of software development methodologies exist?

Traditional methodologies and agile methodologies are two types of software development methodologies. The characteristics of each of them are explained below.

Traditional Software Development Methodologies

Traditional software development methodologies are characterized by very rigidly establishing the requirements and processes at the beginning of the projects.

Consequently, programming or development cycles become inflexible, which prevents adequate adjustments throughout the life of the project.

Since a linear process is carried out in software development projects, each stage is shown one after the other, which prevents progress if the previous activity has not been completed.

Among these traditional software development methodologies the following can be mentioned:

Waterfall Method

This methodology makes it easier to organize the project activities vertically (from top to bottom) to sequentially execute each progress, avoiding moving on to the next if it is not satisfactorily completed .

It includes phases of requirements analysis, system design, program design, program modification, test design, ending with the software coding and maintenance phases.

Its relative advantage is that the transition from one level to another is done safely knowing that the previous stage has already been completed .

Prototyping Method

It is based on the creation of a draft of the software without regard to the details where users can give more direct feedback when interacting with the application in this phase .

This method allows us to verify possible technical failures, as well as the inclusion of improvements according to user use as it is quite interactive, although this implies an additional cost in the budget that must be seriously considered .

Incremental Method

It is similar to the waterfall because it works in phases, but this differs because in each stage an applicability or function is added .

Under this scheme you can significantly notice the improvement that you are making in custom software development services and it additionally allows you to verify the functioning of these processes before finishing the program.

Among the traditional methods, it is one of the most implemented, although it is also one of the slowest in the execution of processes.

Rapid Application Design (RAD) Method

RAD is more than anything a technique that allows software to be developed in a short time based on the following axes:

A prototype is created for users to test and to directly identify the needs and requirements . 

Priorities are created according to the speed of execution of the activities .

It has a certain similarity to the prototype, except that in this model the processes are executed according to their speed. 

COBIT

It is a globally recognized and accepted methodology in software development in technological projects due to its management in the management of information and process flow.

COBIT facilitates the development of policies and good practices in IT project control in companies, as it helps to understand, manage the risks and benefits associated with digital transformation processes .

ITIL

This methodology is made up of a series of standards and practices that are used to manage IT governance in the company .

These standards are useful in the execution, implementation and maintenance of software developments and operations related to the technological management of the company .

ITIL currently has its fourth version where it incorporates major changes applied to the technology industry in recent years.

Agile Software Development Methodologies

Nowadays, agile software development techniques are widely used because of their high flexibility and ability to change rapidly.

These strategies can be more productive and effective if the work groups have clarity about the tasks that need to be done at all times.

Additionally, it will provide the flexibility to adjust the software as new needs arise, resulting in building more functional and satisfying applications for users.

Agile software development methodologies are based on the incremental approach, in which new functionalities are added to the final application in each development cycle.

However, unlike traditional approaches, cycles in agile methodologies are shorter and faster. This implies that changes and improvements are made gradually, incorporating small functionalities instead of massive changes.

This approach allows the formation of self-sufficient and independent work teams , which meet periodically to share news and progress made.

In this way, the final product is progressively built and perfected. In addition, the agile methodology allows close interaction with the client , who can provide new requirements or corrections as the project progresses, since they can observe the progress made in real time.

DEVOPS

This technological work management methodology allows the integration of the Development, Operations and Security areas to guarantee the effectiveness of the application and obtain a better result .

This approach generates the optimal form of agility and speed of reaction in processes for software development, integrating cybersecurity standards into the project.

An advantage of DevOps is its ease of fusion and integration with other agile methodologies that are applied in your company, increasing the benefits of the business and of course the end customer .

AGILE

Agile or Agile Manifesto, is a methodological model that allows improving project planning and production of results in order to avoid the loss of time and resources in assigned tasks.

This method helps maintain orientation in the project guidelines without being as rigid as other traditional Waterfall-type methods.

By having the ability to make the best options in time without compromising the integrity of the project, its productivity increases, correctly aiming at the final objective.

Some advantages of Agile include:

Improves the quality of the final product by minimizing errors in the processes.

Generates employee satisfaction and team awareness.

It allows shortening production cycles by minimizing times.

It has a better allocation of resources, encouraging production.

SCRUM

SCRUM is a model that integrates a set of practices and roles in a framework, where the developer searches for a single product or service in a specific period of time.

The versatility of SCRUM allows projects developed with this methodology to be more adaptable, interactive, fast, flexible and effective.

A characteristic of this methodology is the very well structured and optimized division of tasks and roles.

Product Owner/Product Owner. He is responsible for the project in terms of development, maintenance and prioritization of tasks.

The Scrum Master. This is the person responsible for ensuring that the team's work is carried out according to the Scrum principles.

Development Team Members/Members of the Development Team. They are responsible for the development of each of the tasks.

Extreme Programming or XP

Extreme Programming is a methodology that allows improving efficiency in custom software development company, applying engineering practices in the creation of products.

XP competes very closely with Scrum in the IT environment , but has lost a bit of popularity in recent years while still being a successful methodology for technology businesses.

For its application you must previously define the four variables that the project has, which are Cost, Time, Quality and Scope .

The versatility of this method allows three of the variables to be set by people external to the development team, such as the client or the person in charge of the project (not development) . The other variable is under the responsibility of the IT department who sets its value to give it balance and the best decision making in the process.

This structure gives it a character of flexibility and shared responsibility that allows better action in the development of the software, since everyone is part of the result obtained in the end.

Kanban

The Kanban methodology comes from the management techniques used by Toyota to streamline production in its factories by minimizing errors and losses.

Generally, this method is represented in the form of a board where the flow of processes in a designated job is reflected, allowing each person in charge to move their tasks freely according to progress, thus generating greater confidence and control at a visual level.

This methodology has a series of principles that must be applied in order to achieve maximum performance in the workflow.

Visualize what it does . The visualization by all those responsible for the project in the flow of tasks allows them to remain attentive and informed about the development of the project.

Limit the amount of work in process . Establishing achievable goals allows the group a balance in the flow of work and prevents excessive processes centralized in a few people responsible.

Track time . Managing time in an organized manner allows you to obtain precise results in the project.

Easy reading of visual indicators . The visualization of the types of work, priorities, dates and other details empowers the team in developing solutions adjusted to reality.

Identify bottlenecks and eliminate what is disposable . The proper management of deadlines and execution cycles, as well as the flow of reports, allows the performance of the project to be evaluated and problems detected, eliminating everything that creates obstacles.

In summary

Software development services have become a necessity in the last decade due to the advantages it offers by adjusting to market needs through customized technological solutions .

For this, the factory software that you apply to these needs must be accompanied by the available methodologies that best suit the requested software development. 

At Sparkout Tech Solutions  we have managed to efficiently standardize these value propositions through our specialized technological resource where we focus on directing the results to the requirements requested by our clients.

Therefore, when it comes to advising you, we offer you the best tools for software development, which best fit the profile of your company. 

At Sparkout Tech Solutions we innovate and create digital transformation processes to generate satisfied customers.

[softloomitsolutions]

Best Practices in Curriculum Design Using OBE Software

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, Outcome-Based Education (OBE) has gained prominence as a powerful framework for shaping student learning experiences. OBE Software plays a pivotal role in facilitating the implementation of this approach, providing educators with tools to design and manage curricula that align with desired learning outcomes. This blog explores the best practices in curriculum design using OBE Software, aiming to guide educators towards creating effective, student-centered learning experiences.

1. Define Clear Program Educational Objectives (PEOs):

Start by establishing clear and measurable Program Educational Objectives. These objectives should serve as a roadmap for graduates, outlining the anticipated achievements within a specific timeframe post-graduation. Use OBE Software to align these objectives with stakeholder feedback gathered through surveys and online questionnaires.

2. Map Graduate Attributes (GAs) with Precision:

Leverage OBE Software to meticulously map General Attributes, which encompass core skills, generic attributes, transferable skills, employability, and soft skills. Ensure that these attributes align seamlessly with the curriculum design, fostering a holistic development approach.

3. Craft Specific Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):

Go beyond traditional measures by categorizing Student Learning Outcomes into generic skills, values & attitudes, and disciplinary knowledge. Utilize OBE Software to develop program outcomes based on these SLOs, ensuring alignment with broader life goals and institutional objectives.

4. Define Measurable Program Outcomes (POs):

Use OBE Software to define Program Outcomes, specifying the competencies, skills, knowledge, and attitudes that students are expected to demonstrate. Map these outcomes strategically to the outcome-based curriculum and specific courses, facilitating effective assessment and evaluation.

5. Align Course Outcomes (COs) with Program Objectives:

Ensure coherence by aligning Course Outcomes with both course and program objectives. OBE Software can assist in creating a cohesive structure that emphasizes the interconnectedness of the educational journey, highlighting the values, skills, and knowledge acquired by learners.

6. Integrate Syllabus, Unit & Lesson Plan Outcomes:

Foster cohesion and coherence in the curriculum by linking syllabi, units, and lesson plans with learning outcomes. OBE Software helps in creating a transparent evaluation process, enhancing the reliability of assessments in areas such as writing, communication, critical thinking, and information literacy.

7. Utilize Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Tools:

Leverage the Continuous Quality Improvement tool within OBE Software for ongoing assessment and evaluation. Real-time reports on program objectives, design, and delivery effectiveness empower institutions to proactively enhance education quality, guided by digital feedback and faculty evaluations.

8. Emphasize Constructive Alignment:

Adopt a unique approach to OBE by emphasizing constructive alignment. Use OBE Software to align outcomes with various curriculum elements, including competencies, skills, teaching methods, assessments, Program Educational Objectives (PEOs), Program Outcomes (POs), and Course Outcomes (COs). This harmonized and interconnected system enhances education quality and student achievements.

9. Leverage Automated Mind Mapping for Visual Representation:

Explore the visual representation of curriculum elements through automated mind mapping. OBE Software can generate maps that showcase how competencies, skills, teaching methods, assessments, and objectives are arranged and grouped, aiding students in writing, thinking, and decision-making processes.

10. Ensure Adaptability and Collaboration with OBE Software:

Choose OBE Software that is adaptable to the unique needs of your institution. Look for features such as Learning Outcome Management, Assessment and Evaluation, Gradebook and Data Visualization, Reporting and Analytics, Collaboration and Communication, Curriculum Mapping, LMS Integration, and Mobile Compatibility. This ensures a seamless experience for educators, students, and other stakeholders.

The effective curriculum design using OBE Software requires careful planning, alignment, and continuous improvement. By following these best practices, educators can create a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for success in their chosen fields. OBE Software acts as a crucial ally in this journey, empowering institutions to meet the demands of the evolving educational landscape. To know more visit : How to enhance quality of education ?

[timechamlp]

Choosing the Right Employee Monitoring Tool for Your Business

Having the right employee monitoring software in place can be critical for the success of any business. It can help ensure that your employees are productive and efficient, as well as provide an extra layer of security to your business operations. Choosing the right employee monitoring software for your business can be challenging, as there are many different options available. 

Employee monitoring software has become increasingly popular for companies looking to improve employee productivity and performance. With features such as employee productivity tracking and employee performance tracking, these systems offer valuable insights into how employees are spending their time on the job and can help managers identify any areas where employees could require more assistance or instruction. 

One of the key benefits of employee monitoring software is that it provides a clear picture of employee performance. By tracking employee work hours, progress on tasks, and other key metrics, managers can gain a better understanding of which employees are meeting their goals and which may need additional support. This information can be used to provide regular performance evaluations and feedback, which can help employees understand how their work fits into the overall goals of the organization and can motivate them to stay engaged. 

Another benefit of employee monitoring software is that it can help improve employee productivity. By tracking how employees are spending their time, managers can identify areas where they may be wasting time on non-essential tasks or where they may need additional training to be more effective. This information can be used to change work processes, provide additional training, or implement other measures to improve productivity. 

Finally, employee monitoring software can help improve the overall efficiency of a company. By providing a centralized system for tracking employee performance and productivity, managers can more easily monitor progress and make changes to improve processes. This can help reduce the time and resources needed to manage employees and can help companies stay competitive in a rapidly changing business landscape.  

Comparing Different Types of Employee Tracking Systems 

When it comes to employee tracking systems, there are several different types available, each with its own unique features and capabilities. These types include desktop monitoring software, network monitoring software, and keystroke logging software.  

Time Tracking Systems: 

Purpose: Focuses on tracking and managing employee work hours, attendance, and time spent on different tasks or projects.  

Features: Time clocks, timesheets, clock-in/out functionality, overtime tracking, and absence management.  

Benefits: Helps with payroll processing, project costing, resource allocation, and optimizing employee time management.  

Considerations: This may not provide granular details on specific activities or productivity levels.  

Activity Monitoring Systems: 

Purpose: Tracks employee activities and provides insights into how time is spent on work-related tasks.  

Features: Application and website monitoring, keystroke logging, screen recording, and activity logs. 

Benefits: Offers visibility into employee productivity, identifies time-wasting activities, and helps optimize work processes.  

Considerations: This raises privacy concerns and should be implemented with proper policies and transparency.  

Project Management Systems: 

Purpose: Focuses on managing and tracking progress, tasks, and collaboration within projects or teams.  

Features: Task assignment, progress tracking, file sharing, communication tools, and team collaboration.  

Benefits: Facilitates project planning, coordination, and monitoring, improves team communication, and enhances productivity.  

Considerations: This may not provide detailed individual performance metrics or insights.  

Performance Management Systems: 

Purpose: Tracks and evaluates employee performance based on predefined goals and metrics.  

Features: Goal setting, performance evaluation, feedback mechanisms, performance analytics.  

Benefits: Enables objective performance measurement, facilitates feedback and coaching, and supports performance-based incentives. 

[algosoftapps]

Learning Management System And How Its Shaping The Future Of Learning

Are you ready to take your learning experience to the next level? With the rise of technology, traditional classroom settings are no longer the only way to gain knowledge. Enter the Learning App Development Company Noida, a cutting-edge platform that is revolutionizing education as we know it. From virtual classrooms and interactive courses to personalized assessments and real-time feedback, LMS is shaping the future of learning like never before. In this blog post, we'll dive into what an LMS is, how it works, and why it's becoming increasingly popular among students and educators alike. Get ready to discover a whole new world of possibilities!

Introduction to Learning Management Systems

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses, training programs or learning and development programs. An LMS may deliver content from a single instructor to many students, or it may facilitate communication between multiple instructors and students.

An LMS allows instructors to upload course materials and create assignments and quizzes. It also provides tools for managing student progress and tracking outcomes. Many LMSs also include features such as discussion boards, chat rooms and video conferencing to facilitate collaboration between students and instructors.

The use of learning management systems is growing rapidly. A recent survey found that nearly 60% of organizations are using an LMS to deliver training. The popularity of LMSs is due in part to the increasing demand for online learning options. With an LMS, learners can access course materials at any time, from any location. This flexibility makes them an attractive option for busy adults who want to continue their education but cannot commit to attending traditional classes.

LMSs are also becoming more sophisticated, with new features being added all the time. Some newer systems even incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalized recommendations for each learner based on their individual needs and interests. As the technology continues to evolve, it is likely that learning management systems will play an even more important role in the future of education.

Benefits of Implementing a Learning Management System

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs. An LMS can be used to deliver content and track learner progress through an integrated platform.

There are many benefits of implementing an LMS within your organisation. Here are just a few:

1. Enhanced learning experiences - An LMS can provide a more immersive and engaging learning experience for learners. With features such as gamification, social learning and mobile learning, learners can stay engaged and motivated to complete their courses.

2. Increased access to courses - An LMS gives learners 24/7 access to courses and training materials. This is especially beneficial for organisations with employees working in different time zones or locations.

3.Improved course completion rates - By providing bite-sized chunks of content, flexible learning paths and automatic reminders, an LMS can help learners to stay on track and complete their courses.

4. Greater insight into learner progress - An LMS provides organisations with valuable data and insights into learner progress and engagement. This information can be used to improve the design of future courses and training programs.

Types of Learning Management Systems

There are numerous types of Learning Management Systems available today. The most popular type is the Web-based Learning Management System, which offers a central location for all learning content and tools. Other popular types of Learning Management Systems include:

1. Desktop-based Learning Management Systems: These systems are installed directly onto a user's computer and can be used offline.

2. Mobile-based Learning Management Systems: These systems are designed to be used on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

3. Enterprise Learning Management Systems: These systems are designed for use by large organizations and businesses. They offer a centralized location for employee training and development.

4. Open Source Learning Management Systems: These systems are free to use and modify, making them popular with educators and students alike.

Steps for Using and Setting Up a Learning Management System

There are many different types of Learning Management Systems (LMS) on the market today. Each LMS has its own specific features and functionalities. However, all LMSs share some commonalities in terms of how they are used and set up. Below are steps for using and setting up a Learning Management System:

1. Choose an LMS: There are many different LMSs available, so it is important to choose one that will best fit the needs of your organization. Consider factors such as cost, ease of use, features, and integrations when making your decision.

2. Set up your account: Once you have chosen an LMS, you will need to create an account and set up your profile. This usually involves providing some basic information about yourself and your organization.

3. Upload content: Once your account is set up, you can begin uploading content to the LMS. This can include text-based documents, images, videos, etc. Be sure to properly categorize your content so that it is easy for users to find what they are looking for.

4. Create learning modules: In most cases, you will want to group your content into learning modules or courses. This helps users follow a logical path through the material and makes it easier to track their progress.

5. Assign user roles: Depending on who will be using the LMS, you may need to assign different user roles with different levels of access

Tips for Improving Effectiveness with a Learning Management System

1. Make sure your LMS is mobile-friendly: A majority of learners now access learning content on their mobile devices, so it’s important that your LMS is designed for mobile screens.

2. Use social features: Social features can make learning more engaging and effective. Look for an LMS that offers social features like forums, groups, and blogs.

3. Incorporate gamification: Gamification can make learning more fun and engaging. Many LMSs now offer built-in game elements like badges, points, and leaderboards.

4. Use videos and other rich media: Videos and other rich media can make learning more engaging and effective. Look for an LMS that offers built-in support for videos and other rich media formats.

5. Personalize the learning experience: Personalized learning experiences are more effective than generic ones. Look for an LMS that offers features like user profiles, recommendations, and customizations.

Challenges of Implementing a Learning Management System

There are several challenges that can arise when implementing a Learning App Development Company Noida. One challenge is that of compatibility; a LMS must be compatible with the devices and software that learners and instructors use. Another challenge is finding a LMS that meets the specific needs of an organization; not all LMSs are created equal, and some may be better suited for certain types of learning than others. Additionally, cost can be a barrier to entry for some organizations, as LMSs can be expensive to purchase and maintain. User adoption is crucial for a successful implementation, but can sometimes be difficult to achieve if users are resistant to change.

Conclusion

Learning App Development Company Noida are revolutionizing the way we learn. The flexibility, scalability and convenience of LMSs make them an indispensable tool for any organization that wishes to provide effective digital learning experiences. With the right platform, businesses can improve employee performance, reduce training costs, and stay ahead of their competition in terms of innovation and knowledge acquisition. As technology advancements continue to shape our lives, Learning Management Systems will remain essential components of the modern learning environment.

[tongkolnyasar]

GistCoin

GistCoin — The Official Gamification and Monetization Token For The Social Media Industry

Gistcoin is a utility token for all influencers, streamers, musicians, artists, brands and content creators of all backgrounds creating content across social media communities. We believe that a decentralized token system allows all content creators — including content creators from underrepresented groups — to have direct access to their fans and monetization methods.

WHAT IS GISTCOIN?

Gistcoin is a utility token for all influencers, streamers, musicians, artists, brands and content creators of all backgrounds who create content in social media communities and on other Audio Networks.

We believe that a decentralized token system allows all content creators — including content creators from underrepresented groups — to have direct access to their fans and monetization methods.

Peer-to-Peer

Platform Drop-In Audio.

Digital Goods

GistCoin — The Official Gamification and Monetization Token For The Social Media Industry

GISTCOIN is a blockchain-enabled Peer-To-Peer decentralized ledger system for the gamification and monetization of the fast growing Social Media industry. The Gistcoin project is designed to provide a cutting-edge solution to the problem of compensation for content creators and users of social media applications

Some of the immediate and immediate ways the GISTCOIN Project will address specific issues in this industry include:

• Create an advanced Audio Conversation Social Media Platform with the built-in Creator and User Compensation program.

• Gisthouse will have several features that will address most of the issues associated with existing Audio based social media platforms in the rapidly exploding Audio Conversation industry.

• Gistcoin will Provide Peer-to-Peer gamification and monetization Platform which will enable Fair Compensation for content creators and active users of social media platforms

• Provide a Universal means of exchange for GistHouse social media users and other partner social media partners.

WHY CHOOSE OR USE GISTCOIN?

GISTCOIN is a type of electronic money that can be secretly exchanged for digital content, products and services, and then converted into fiat currency.

It is a Third-Party-Independent exchange tool. Payments from Content Consumers to Content Creators can be made without intermediaries.

Removing national boundaries and local currency issues for the free flow of creative works. One exchange currency for content works globally.

User Anonymity Guaranteed

Latest encrypted daily transactions

Easy payments for micro purchases and payments for creative works

Price fluctuations are purely based on the principle of supply and demand

Transactions without restrictions on fees, times and places

Use on all international social media platforms.Video Player00:0001:22

HOW DO CREATORS AND AUDIO PLATFORMS USE THE MONETIZE GISTCOIN?

Gistcoin's goal is to enable content creators to unlock the economy around their community and take advantage of new monetization methods that work across multiple platforms. Not only does it create an engaged community that can tip with Gist Coin and spend GistCoin to get exclusive access to content, special access, events and merchandise, but it also allows content creators to monetize their content any way they like. Gistcoin allows Creators to build a loyal fan base and get rewarded for creating value for members of its user community.

How do content creators make money from GistCoin?

GistCoin's goal is to enable content creators to unlock the economy around their community and take advantage of new monetization methods that work across multiple platforms. Not only does it create an engaged community who can tip with GistCoin and spend GistCoin to get exclusive access to content, special access, events and merchandise, but it also allows content creators to monetize without paying high platform fees.

Gistcoin's goal is to enable content creators to unlock the economy around their community and take advantage of new monetization methods that work across multiple platforms. Not only does it create an engaged community that can tip with Gist Coin and spend GistCoin to get exclusive access to content, special access, events and merchandise, but it also allows content creators to monetize their content any way they like. Gistcoin allows Creators to build a loyal fan base and get rewarded for creating value for members of its user community.

How does it work?

GISTCOIN is a type of electronic money that can be secretly exchanged for digital content, products and services, and then converted into fiat currency.

It is a Third-Party-Independent exchange tool. Payments from Content Consumers to Content Creators can be made without intermediaries.

Removing national boundaries and local currency issues for the free flow of creative works. One exchange currency for content works globally.

User Anonymity Guaranteed

Latest encrypted daily transactions

Easy payments for micro purchases and payments for creative works

Price fluctuations are purely based on the principle of supply and demand

Transactions without restrictions on fees, times and places

Use on all international social media platforms.

How do content creators make money from GistCoin?

GistCoin's goal is to enable content creators to unlock the economy around their community and take advantage of new monetization methods that work across multiple platforms. Not only does it create an engaged community who can tip with GistCoin and spend GistCoin to get exclusive access to content, special access, events and merchandise, but it also allows content creators to monetize without paying high platform fees.

GISTCOIN STRUCTURE

Token Pre-Sale: 1 September to 30 September 2021

Token Crowdsale: October 1 to October 31, 2021

Supply: 500,000,000 GIST

Price: 1 GIST = 0.00001562 ETH [Approx. $0.05 USD]

1 ETH = 64.000 GIST

MINIMUM PARTICIPATION IN CROWD SALES: 0.0031 ETH [Approx. $32/640 BOTTOM LINE]

Total Softcap: 1,500 ETH

Soft cap: $1,000,000

TOKEN ALLOCATION: 500,000,000

TOTAL GIST OFFERED IN INITIAL CROWSALE: 50,000,000 [10%]

TOTAL OFFERED FOR CROWSALE: 200,000,000 GIST [40%]

Accepted Currencies: ETH, BTC and Wire Transfer

Token Distribution Date: November 15, 2021

TOTAL USED FOR BOUNTIES/AIRDROPS: 27,750,000[5.5%]

TOTAL FOR PARTNERS AND AFFILIATES: 25,000,000 [5.0%]

TOTAL RESERD FOR AIRDROP FOR GITHOUSE BETA LAUNCH: 100,000,000 [20%]

TOTAL DONE FOR FOUNDERS: 85,000,000 [17.00%]

TOTAL RESERD FOR GISTHOUSE DEVELOPMENT: 12,500,000 [2.50%]

GISTCOIN ROADMAP TO SUCCESS

APRIL 2021

Generation Idea

The Origins of the GistCoin Idea Generation. Development of business concepts and plans.

MAY/JUNE 2021

Concept Development

GistCoin kickstart development. GistCoin pilot application development for the future ClubHouse platform.

SEP 1, 2021

White Paper Publications

Attract investors' investment. GistCoin registration. Team building.

September 15th, 2021

GISTCOIN Wallet

Development of GISTCOIN Wallet mock-up. Technical audit.

October 1, 2021

MVP Mockup Release

Release the MVP Mockup to the technical team for development.

1 — 31 October 2021

EARLY GENERAL SALE

Preparation for GISTCOIN and Development of smart contracts for GistCoin release. Continue platform development. Continuity of ecosystem formation (more than 10 partners).

October 15, 2021

Gisthouse Public Beta Testing

Gisthouse Public Beta Testing is done and feedback is collected from end users

December 1, 2021

GISTHOUSE CREATOR REWARD PROGRAM LAUNCH

1 OF 2022

List of GISTCOIN on General Trading Exchanges [At least 3]

January 1, 2022

Launch of the GISTCOIN Trading Platform [GISTtopia.Com):

Jan - From 2022

GISTCOIN Acceptance Partner Expansion Campaign

JUNE 1 2022

Official Launch of GITSHOUSE AUDIO DROP-IN Social Media Platform

GISTCOIN STRUCTURE

Token Pre-Sale: 1 September to 30 September 2021

Token Crowdsale: October 1 to October 31, 2021

supply

500.000.000 GIST

Price

1 GIST = 0.0001562 ETH [Approx. $0.05 USD]

1 ETH = ~ 64,000 GIST

MINIMUM PARTICIPATION IN CROWD SALES: 0.0031 ETH [Approx. $32/640 BOTTOM LINE]

Total Softcap ~ 1,500 ETH

Soft cap: $1,000,000

TOKEN ALLOCATION: 500,000,000

TOTAL GIST OFFERED IN INITIAL CROWSALE: 50,000,000 [10%]

TOTAL OFFERED FOR CROWSALE: 200,000,000 GIST [40%]

Accepted Currencies: ETH, BTC and Wire Transfer

Token Distribution Date: November 15, 2021

TOTAL USED FOR BOUNTIES/AIRDROPS: 27,750,000[5.5%]

TOTAL FOR PARTNERS AND AFFILIATES: 25,000,000 [5.0%]

TOTAL RESERD FOR AIRDROP FOR GITHOUSE BETA LAUNCH: 100,000,000 [20%]

TOTAL DONE FOR FOUNDERS: 85,000,000 [17.00%]

TOTAL RESERD FOR GISTHOUSE DEVELOPMENT: 12,500,000 [2.50%]

Participants: 4,510.+

CROWSALES: 200.000.000

GISTCOIN DREAM TEAM

The GistCoin team consists of an eclectic group of individuals who have excelled in their fields and have demonstrated consistent performance and success. Our team is experienced in software development, film production, cryptocurrency, and business administration.

The team includes but is not limited to the following individuals:

BUSINESS AND STRATEGY Advisory Board

DR OPE BANWO

Founder/ceo

Dr Ope Banwo holds several degrees in Law and has held top Executive Positions in the United States and his home country of Nigeria, for over 30 years. He was accepted into the New York Bar (1997); Fed District Court, Nebraska USA (1997) and Nigerian Bar (1986). He is a Founding Partner of Banwo & Igbokwe LLC USA; CEO, Netpreneur360 Inc.; Co-Creator of Mobimatic App Builder; Co-Author of Crypto Millionaires Manifesto and Host of Cryptomania Show. He is also the founding CEO of Dove Media PLC and Nollywood Blockbusters Ltd. He trained with Arthur Anderson and has started several businesses in the United States and Africa.

SEGUN AWOSANYA

Director of Business Development

Profile Summary: Segun Awosanya is a realtor (MSc), Futuristic Brand, Digital Media Marketing, Curator of digital space/community culture, Information Technology based business analyst, content writer, Business, perception management and innovation strategy consultant with more than experience a decade in delivering large-scale, innovative technology-driven projects. He is founder/CEO of Aliensmedia, President/Founder of SIAF (Social Intervention Advocacy Foundation) and founding Technical Director of DoveMedia Plc, Founding Technical Director of HiTV and Hypercable Trained Digital Broadcasting Engineer (Lyon, France). He has consulted for various businesses and Government agencies across sectors for two decades across continents.

AKIN OLAOYE

Founder/Chairman, House of Lunettes

Akin Olaoye is an Entrepreneur and former management staff at KPMG USA. He has a degree in Industrial Engineering and attended Portland State University Oregon for a Masters in Engineering Management. As the leader of Dynamic, he has more than 15 years of corporate experience leading 100 rich US companies. He has Strong Project Management, Client Engagement, Business and leadership acumen. His House of Lunnettes has grown to become Nigeria's largest Glasses Chain in a few years. Akin has had outstanding career achievements in IT Project Management, Government projects and Private Sector renowned in the Healthcare, IT, Government, E-Commerce, Insurance and Automotive industries.

JOHN OSEI-BONSU

Director of Finance & Due Diligence

John is a Chartered Management Accountant and holds an MBA in Finance & Business Policy from the University of Durham, MSc Information Systems — Kingston University and LLM-(European Union) Commercial Law-University of Leicester. Member of the Chartered Management Institute. John is an accomplished financial professional and one of the most prominent, is the Chief Executive Officer of Best Fertilizer Company Limited, Ghana. Prior to Best Fertilizer and Lands Dynasty, John was Financial Controller at Spotless Group SAS (part of Henkel), John held Finance Controller roles, Mayborn Group PLC and held senior finance roles at Dylon International Limited and Mirror Group Newspapers. John has an extensive record of transformational strategic and operational leadership, consistent delivery of performance, strong capital allocation discipline and by building a strong team; all of which lead to the creation of long-term shareholder value. John has significant due diligence experience including finance, legal, commercial, insurance, technology/intellectual property, operations, environment and tax and brings more than two decades of financial expertise to the team. He is a strong leader and has a history of driving strong financial performance in the UK.

TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENT TEAM

The technical team consists of highly skilled web developers with a combined experience of over 30 years of web development experience. This team includes:

GABRIEL NWANKWO

Software Engineer

Nwankwo, Gabriel is a renowned Software Engineer with over 7 years experience in designing and building Enterprise Systems. He is a Computer Science graduate and has extensive experience in Systems Analysis and Architectural Design, Database Architecture and Design, Devops and Programming. He has built a number of systems and applications for Government Agencies, Private Companies and Multinational Companies. Some of his web development and software engineering works include: BENUE MOEST: A fintech application for school tax collection. A project implemented for the Benue State Ministry of Education: SUBEB: Human Resource Management Application with Integrated Payroll and Pension System. A project implemented for the Benue State Universal Primary Education Agency; UAMASUUCOOPS: A fintech application for managing cooperative funds that is implemented in the Cooperative of the Academic Civitas of Makurdi Agricultural University; BIPPIIS: Human Resource Management Application with Integrated Verification, Payroll and Pension System. A project implemented for the Benue State Government of Nigeria; BSLGPENCOM: Fintech application for Pension management with integrated Payroll system; Churchio: Revolutionary Church Management App that helps churches manage all aspects of the church including, Membership, Worker, Finance and many more Fintech App for Retirement management with integrated Payroll system; Churchio: A Revolutionary Church Management App that helps the church manage all aspects of the church including, Membership, Workers, Finance, and many more fintech applications for managing Pensioners with an integrated Payroll system; Churchio: A Revolutionary Church Management App that helps the church manage all aspects of the church including, Membership, Workers, Finances and many more

DANIEL ADASHO

Software Engineer

Daniel Adasho is a Certified Software Engineer and Full-Stack Developer at Netpreneur360, CTO at Salamat Groups and Consultant at Ziva Media. He is a prolific and prolific web and mobile developer, who has worked on many projects and built a lot of software that includes software for state and federal governments. Daniel is not only proficient in many computer languages, but he is also a certified IT/Web Engineer, in several programming languages ​​such as JAVA SCRIPT PHP, MYSQL, SQL LITE, LARAVEL, AJAX, NOD.JS He has also developed several programs and has designed many websites. web and web portals for multinational companies including the American Internet Business School; Mobimatic Inc.; Daniel Adasho has also developed LOTS of mobile apps on Google play.

IFIOK NKEM

Web Developer & Software Builder

As one of the most sought after web consultants in Africa, Ifiok has been involved in more than 700 projects and has consulted for high-value individuals, businesses and companies including the governments of Nigeria and Angola. He has trained and mentored more than 10,000 people in web development through workshops, seminars, boot camps and in-house training tools. Ifiok Nk is a 'passionate Netpreneur', web consultant, author and digital product creator with many successful SaaS products including Mobimatic; PageNova, VantagePoint, Streamio, Videotours360 ; ViralLeadFunnels; Rape; PasarGee; Socicake Software; ADA Packages; Local Agent Box; Leadgrow360

For detailed information about Gistcoin, follow the link below:

Detailed Information: WEBSITE: https://gistcoinico.com/ TWITTER:https://twitter.com/gistcoin360 FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/groups/gistcoin/ TELEGRAM GROUP:https://t.me/gistcoin LINKEDIN:https://www.linkedin.com/company/gistcoin REDDIT:https://www.reddit.com/user/gistcoin YOUTUBE:https://www.youtube.com/c

trade / UCeimgEwf9bk5C5C7gtPjpFg

Username: cob Link: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1929500

[terabitweb]

Original Post from Microsoft Secure Author: Todd VanderArk

The Lessons learned from the Microsoft SOC blog series is designed to share our approach and experience with security operations center (SOC) operations. Our learnings in the series come primarily from Microsoft’s corporate IT security operation team, one of several specialized teams in the Microsoft Cyber Defense Operations Center (CDOC).

Over the course of the series, we’ve discussed how we operate our SOC at Microsoft. In the last two posts, Part 2a, Organizing people, and Part 2b: Career paths and readiness, we discussed how to support our most valuable resources—people—based on successful job performance.

We’ve also included lessons learned from the Microsoft Detection and Response Team (DART) to help our customers respond to major incidents, as well as insights from the other internal SOC teams.

For a visual depiction of our SOC philosophy, download our Minutes Matter poster. To learn more about our Security operations, watch CISO Spotlight Series: The people behind the cloud.

As part of Cybersecurity Awareness month, today’s installment focuses on the technology that enables our people to accomplish their mission by sharing our current approach to technology, how our tooling evolved over time, and what we learned along the way. We hope you can use what we learned to improve your own security operations.

Our strategic approach to technology

Ultimately, the role of technology in a SOC is to help empower people to better contain risk from adversary attacks. Our design for the modern enterprise SOC has moved away from the classic model of relying primarily on alerts generated by static queries in an on-premise security information and event management (SIEM) system. The volume and sophistication of today’s threats have outpaced the ability of this model to detect and respond to threats effectively.

We also found that augmenting this model with disconnected point-solutions lead to additional complexity and didn’t necessarily speed up analysis, prioritization, orchestration, and execution of response action.

Selecting the right technology

Every tool we use must enable the SOC to better achieve its mission and provide meaningful improvement before we invest in purchasing and integrating it. Each tool must also meet rigorous requirements for the sheer scale and global footprint of our environment and the top-shelf skill level of the adversaries we face, as well as efficiently enable our analysts to provide high quality outcomes. The tools we selected support a range of scenarios.

In addition to enabling firstline responders to rapidly remediate threats, we must also enable deep subject matter experts in security and data science to reason over immense volumes of data as they hunt for highly skilled and well-funded nation state level adversaries.

Making the unexpected choice

Even though many of the tools we currently use are made by Microsoft, they still must meet our stringent requirements. All SOC tools—no matter who makes them—are strictly vetted and we don’t hesitate to reject tools that don’t work for our purposes. For example, our SOC rejected Microsoft’s Advanced Threat Analytics tool because of the infrastructure required to scale it up (despite some promising detection results in a pilot). It’s successor, Azure Advanced Threat Protection (Azure ATP) solved this infrastructure challenge by shifting to a SaaS architecture and is now in active use daily.

Our SOC analysts work with Microsoft engineering and third-party tool providers to drive their requirements and provide feedback. As an example, our SOC team has a weekly meeting with the Windows Defender ATP team to review learnings, findings, request features or changes, share engineering progress on requested features, and share attacker research from both teams. Even today, as we roll out Azure Sentinel, our SOC is actively working with the engineering team to ensure key requirements are met, so we can fully retire our legacy SIEM (more details below). Additionally, we regularly invite engineers from our product groups to join us in the SOC to learn how the technology is applied by our experts.

History and evolution to broad and deep tooling

Microsoft’s Corporate IT SOC protects a cross platform environment with a significant population of Windows, Linux, and Macs running a variety of Microsoft and non-Microsoft software. This environment is approximately 95 percent hosted on the cloud today. The tooling used in this SOC has evolved significantly over the years starting from the classic model centered around an on-premises SIEM.

Phase 1—Classic on-premises SIEM-centric model

This is the common model where all event data is fed into an on-premises SIEM where analytics are performed on the data (primarily static queries that were refined over time).

We experienced a set of challenges that we now view as natural limitations of this model. These challenges included:

Overwhelming event volume—High volume and growth (on the scale of 20+ billion events a day currently) exceeded the capacity of the on-premises SIEM to handle it.

Analyst overload and fatigue—The static rulesets generated excessive amounts of false positive alerts that lead to alert fatigue.

Poor investigation workflow—Investigation of events using the SIEM was clunky and required manual queries and manual steps when switching between tools.

Phase 2—Bolster on-premises SIEM weaknesses with cloud analytics and deep tools

We introduced several changes designed to address shortcomings of the classic model.

Three strategic shifts were introduced and included:

1. Cloud based log analytics—To address the SIEM scalability challenges discussed previously, we introduced cloud data lake and machine learning technology to more efficiently store and analyze events. This took pressure off our legacy SIEM and allowed our hunters to embrace the scale of cloud computing to apply advanced techniques like machine learning to reason over the data. We were early adopters of this technology before many current commercial offerings had matured, so we ended up with several “generations” of custom technology that we had to later reconcile and consolidate (into the Log Analytics technology that now powers Azure Sentinel).

Lesson learned: “Good enough” and “supported” is better than “custom.”

Adopt commercial products if they meet at least the “Pareto 80 percent” of your needs because the support of these custom implementations (and later rationalization effort) takes resources and effort away from hunting and other core mission priorities.

2. Specialized high-quality tooling—To address analyst overload and poor workflow challenges, we tested and adopted specialized tooling designed to:

Produce high quality alerts (versus high quantity of detailed data).

Enable analysts to rapidly investigate and remediate compromised assets.

It is hard to overstate the benefits of this incredibly successful integration of technology. These tools had a powerful positive impact on our analyst morale and productivity, driving significant improvements of our SOC’s mean time to acknowledge (MTTA) and remediate (MTTR).

We attribute a significant amount of this success of these tools to the direct real-world input that was used to design them.

SOC—The engineering group spent approximately 18-24 months with our SOC team focused on learning about SOC analyst needs, thought processes, pain points, and more while designing and building the first release of Windows Defender ATP. These teams still stay in touch weekly.

DART team—The engineering group directly integrated analysis and hunting techniques that DART developed to rapidly find and evict advanced adversaries from customers.

Here’s a quick summary of the key tools. We’ll share more details on how we use them in our next blog:

Endpoint—Microsoft Defender ATP is the default starting point for analysts for almost any investigation (regardless of the source of the alert) because of its powerful visibility and investigation capabilities.

Email—Office 365 ATP’s integration with Office 365 Exchange Online helps analysts rapidly find and remove phishing emails from mailboxes. The integration with Microsoft Defender ATP and Azure ATP enables analysts to handle common cases extremely quickly, which lead to growth in our analyst caseload (in a good way ).

Identity—Integrating Azure ATP helped complete the triad of the most attacked/utilized resources (Endpoint-Email-Identity) and enabled analysts to smoothly pivot across them (and added some useful detections too).

We also added Microsoft Cloud App Security and Azure Security Center to provide high quality detections and improve investigation experience as well.

Even before adding the Automated investigations technology (originally acquired from Hexadite), we found that Microsoft Defender ATP’s Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solution increased SOC’s efficiency to the point where Investigation teams analysts can start doing more proactive hunting part-time (often by sifting through lower priority alerts from Microsoft Defender ATP).

Lesson learned: Enable rapid end-to-end workflow for common Email-Endpoint identity attacks.

Ensure your technology investments optimize the analyst workflow to detect, investigate, and remediate common attacks. The Microsoft Defender ATP and connected tools (Office 365 ATP, Azure ATP) was a game changer in our SOC and enabled us to consistently remediate these attacks within minutes. This is our number one recommendation to SOCs as it helped with:

Commodity attacks—Efficiently dispatch (a high volume of) commodity attacks in the environment.

Targeted attacks—Mitigate impact advanced attacks by severely limiting attack operator time to laterally traverse and explore, hide, set up command/control (C2), etc.

3. Mature case management—To further improve analyst workflow challenges, we transitioned the analyst’s primary queue to our case management service hosted by a commercial SaaS provider. This further reduced our dependency on our legacy SIEM (primarily hosting legacy static analytics that had been refined over time).

Lesson learned: Single queue

Regardless of the size and tooling of your SOC, it’s important to have a single queue and govern quality of it.

This can be implemented as a case management solution, the alert queue in a SIEM, or as simple as the alert list in the Microsoft Threat Protection tool for smaller organizations. Having a single place to go for reactive analysis and ensuring that place produces high quality alerts are key enablers of SOC effectiveness and responsiveness. As a complement to the quality piece, you should also have a proactive hunting activity to ensure that attacker activities are not lost in high noise detection.

Phase 3—Modernize SIEM to cloud native

Our current focus is the transition of the remaining SIEM functions from our legacy capability to Azure Sentinel.

We’re now focused on refining our tool strategy and architecture into a model designed to optimize both breadth (unified view of all events) and depth capabilities. The specialized high-quality tooling (depth tooling) works great for monitoring the “front door” and some hunting but isn’t the only tooling we need.

We’re now in the early stages of operating Microsoft’s Azure Sentinel technology in our SOC to completely replace our legacy on-premises SIEM. This task is a bit simpler for us than most, as we have years of experience using the underlying event log analysis technology that powers Azure Sentinel (Azure Monitor technology, which was previously known as Azure Log Analytics and Operations Management Suite (OMS)).

Our SOC analysts have also been contributing heavily to Azure Sentinel and its community (queries, dashboards, etc.) to share what we have learned about adversaries with our customers.

Learn more details about this SOC and download slides from the CISO Workshop:

Video—Part 3: Learnings from Microsoft Corporate IT SOC (22:07)

Slides—CISO Workshop Module 4b

Lesson learned: Side-by-side transition state

Based on our experience and conversations with customers, we expect transitioning to cloud analytics like Azure Sentinel will often include a side-by-side configuration with an existing legacy SIEM. This could include a:

Short-term transition state—For organizations that are committed to rapidly retiring a legacy SIEM in favor of Azure Sentinel (often to reduce cost/complexity) and need operational continuity during this short bridge period.

Medium-term coexistence—For organizations with significant investment into an on-premises SIEM and/or a longer-term plan for cloud migration. These organization recognize the power of Data Gravity—placing analytics closer to the cloud data will avoid costs and challenges of transferring logs to/from the cloud.

Managing the SOC investigations across the SIEM platforms can be accomplished with reasonable efficiency using either a case management tool or the Microsoft Graph Security API (synchronizing Alerts between the two SIEM platforms).

Microsoft is continuing to invest in building more detailed guidance and capabilities to document learnings on this process and continue to refine technology to support it.

Learn more

To learn more, read previous posts in the “Lessons learned from the Microsoft SOC” series, including:

Part 1: Organization

Part 2a: Organizing people

Part 2b: Career paths and readiness

Also, see our full CISO series.

Watch the CISO Spotlight Series: The people behind the cloud.

For a visual depiction of our SOC philosophy, download our Minutes Matter poster.

Stayed tuned for the next segment in “Lessons learned from the Microsoft SOC” where we dive into more of the analyst experience of using these tools to rapidly investigate and remediate attacks. In the meantime, bookmark the Security blog to keep up with our expert coverage on security matters. Also, follow us at @MSFTSecurity for the latest news and updates on cybersecurity.

The post CISO series: Lessons learned from the Microsoft SOC—Part 3a: Choosing SOC tools appeared first on Microsoft Security.

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Go to Source Author: Todd VanderArk CISO series: Lessons learned from the Microsoft SOC—Part 3a: Choosing SOC tools Original Post from Microsoft Secure Author: Todd VanderArk The Lessons learned from the Microsoft SOC blog series is designed to share our approach and experience with security operations center (SOC) operations.