#from an automated or stock phone number

[nordfjording]

police, banks, legal actors: never ever ever pay demands sent to you by text or phone. signed invoices only. get receipts.

collection companies: if we send a text with a sum and a bank number but no other information, people will surely pay

[misfitwashere]

Strong winds

ROBERT REICH

DEC 12

Friends,

I’m sitting in the United Airlines terminal at the San Francisco airport. The plane I was scheduled to travel to Newark, New Jersey, has already been delayed three times. It was scheduled to depart at 1 pm. It’s now departing at 4:40 pm. 

They’re blaming strong winds in the Northeast. But another United scheduled to depart at 2:30 pm just took off on time. I asked the service attendant why the 2:30 pm to Newark had departed despite strong winds. He explained that the real problem wasn’t strong winds; it was a lack of air traffic controllers in Newark. My suspicion is United is trying to minimize the number of late flights; rather than risk two, it sacrificed my 1 pm. 

I asked the attendant if he thought my flight will actually depart at 4:40, because I have to get to a Hilton Hotel in Elizabeth, New Jersey by early enough to get a few hours sleep before attending meetings tomorrow morning. The attendant said “there are no guarantees. This flight could depart anytime, or it could be cancelled.” 

When I phoned the Hilton Hotel in Elizabeth, New Jersey, to tell them I’d be checking in very late tonight, I got a menu that told me to “press 2” to change or modify a reservation. When I pressed 2, an automated voice said I could not change my current reservation but could make a new reservation. The automated voice also said if I was experiencing any difficulty I should go to the Hilton website. 

I found the Hilton website, which asked me to fill in reservation number. But I didn[t have a reservation number. When I reserved a room, Hilton had given me a confirmation number but not a reservation number. I typed in the confirmation number but the website said the confirmation number was incorrect. 

I spent the next half hour trying to find a human being at the Hilton Hotel to ask them to keep the room for me despite my lateness. Finally, I connected with someone who didn’t understand what I was asking. I asked them where they were located. They said they were not permitted to say. 

It’s now 3:35 pm and I’m still sitting here in the United terminal in San Francisco. The customer service person I just spoke with told me the plane “may or may not take off.” I’m about to phone the people I was to meet with tomorrow to tell them I won’t be there. 

I relate this to you because I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the frustrations that might drive people to vote for a strongman who promises to “shake things up” even if he’s intent on destroying our democracy, or might cause people to cheer for someone who murders the CEO of a giant health insurers. 

United Airlines is one of four remaining national carriers (there were ten in 2000). In the third quarter of 2024, had pre-tax earnings of $1.3 billion, with a pre-tax margin of 8.7%. In other words, it’s doing fabulously well. 

Hilton Hotels is almost as profitable. In fact, its net operating profits have shot up from what they were a year ago. It’s also doing fabulously well. 

Big American corporations are doing better than ever. The stock market has hit record highs. CEO pay is hitting new highs. 

But American workers and consumers are being shafted with lousy service at ever more expensive prices. 

Something’s got to give. Right?

[odinsblog]

Andrew was entering his third month of unemployment when he sat down at his computer and opened the inbox of his LinkedIn account. He’d received a response to a query he’d sent off four days after his friend-turned-manager walked him into a conference room swimming with sunlight, smelling of cologne and the faintest hint of perfume left behind by a group of attorneys who’d recently vacated the space after a five-hour meeting.

“I’m sorry, man,” Colin Perkins had said. Andrew’s eyes glided to the glass conference table, landing on the silver tray holding a molehill of bagels. He imagined they must be stale by now, having been left there uncovered in the icy office air.

Someone had planted the pointed end of a white plastic knife in an open container of chive-and-jalapeño cream cheese. It brought to mind the moon landing; all that was missing was a tiny American flag. A laugh trudged up his throat, but he disguised it as a cough.

“I told you,” Colin continued, raking his hands over his manicured Afro, “that the last to hire would be the first to go.”

A month earlier, seventeen women and two men had accused the CEO of the company of sexual misconduct. That news had plummeted the stock. The layoffs followed. Andrew had witnessed dozens of employees being escorted by security from the building like criminals. Now it was his turn.

Andrew nodded, placed a comforting hand on Daniel’s shoulder, and squeezed. The crisp cotton of Daniel’s shirt felt cool beneath his palm. “It’s okay, man, I understand. Don’t sweat it.”

He’d spent that first week revamping his résumé, calling friends and old colleagues, people who might know of a job opportunity at their own place of employment or elsewhere. He’d never had a LinkedIn account, but took the time to set one up. To conserve the little bit of savings he had, Andrew dropped his gym membership and went back to drinking tap water instead of the bottled Evian he loved. He gave up Starbucks coffee and the expensive cabernet sauvignon he purchased by the case.

By week three, he was spending his days on the couch, dressed in boxer shorts and sweat socks. He’d stopped opening the blinds and only went outside to empty the garbage. He whiled away the hours playing video games, and watching Netflix and Pornhub. Oftentimes, he went days without brushing his teeth.

When his mother called to check on him, Andrew lied, claiming he had several interviews lined up. When his father took the phone into another room to ask if he needed money, Andrew assured him that he was fine on the financial front, even though he wasn’t. He’d made up his mind to sell his Shelby Mustang before he took a dime from his parents. That was a big decision because he loved that car more than he’d ever loved any woman.

The day he opened the e-mail, the panic had just started to set in. He could feel it creeping along the back of his neck, like the soft scuttle of caterpillar legs.

From: OBF, INC.

To: Andrew Jamison

Dear Mr. Jamison,

We found your resume to be very interesting and believe that you would be the perfect addition to our dynamic team of Client Liaisons.

PAID TRAINING!

Affordable benefits for you, your spouse, and/or children after 90 days!

Opportunities to advance within!

Hourly, overtime, and tremendous bonus opportunities!

If you love helping others, then you will love working for OBF, INC.

OBF, INC. wants to talk to you now! To set up an interview TEXT OBF51893.

Liaison was just a fancy French word for customer service agent. Well, that was his skill set. Andrew was an expert at assisting people.

He texted the number and received an instant response that directed him to call a telephone number and enter his personal code: 1032.

An automated voice offered him two available interview dates. He was instructed to press 1 for the first date and 2 for the second. The mechanical voice told him that he would receive a call advising him where the interview would take place.

It all seemed very clandestine. Andrew was cynical, but his desperation outweighed his skepticism.

A day later, he received a call from a woman with a Southern drawl . . . Georgia, Alabama, Texas? He couldn’t quite pinpoint where she hailed from, but listening to her speak conjured visions of sweet tea and fireflies. She asked for his full government name and the code he’d received via text message. There was a pause, two clicks, and then the syrupy voice asked if he had a pen available. He did. After she’d rattled off the address, she wished him good luck. There were a few more clicks and then the line went dead.

He walked into the lobby of the forty-story office building and was struck by the contemporary opulence of the space. Marble floors, potted palms that towered eight feet into the air, white leather sofas, and a slick-looking Louboutin-red reception desk.

Andrew presented his license to the security guard and was given a name tag, which he clipped to the lapel of his ash-gray jacket. He was told to go to the eighteenth floor.

While waiting for the elevator, he perused the list of companies listed on a plaque mounted to the wall. OBF, Inc. was nowhere to be found.

He smirked, shrugged his shoulders, and stepped into the elevator. On the eighteenth floor, smack outside of the elevator door, was a sheet of lined legal paper taped haphazardly to the wall. Scrawled on its face in black marker was: This Way to OBF, INC. Below that was an arrow.

He started down the hall. A man the color of cedar and as tall as an NBA player speed-walked past him, mumbling to himself. Andrew thought he looked dazed, as if he’d just received news that a loved one had passed away.

“Good morning,” Andrew murmured.

The man turned eyes as wide as saucers on Andrew. He opened his mouth and muttered something that Andrew wasn’t sure he’d heard correctly. The elevator doors slid open just as Andrew leaned in and asked, “Uhm, sorry, brother, but did you say run?”

The man leaped into the elevator, pressed his spine against the back wall, and fixed his eyes on the glass numbers above the closing doors.

Andrew stood blinking at his reflection in the chrome elevator doors. After a moment, he shrugged and continued down the hallway where he came upon a second handwritten sign directing him to turn left at the women’s bathroom. He rounded a corner and found himself staring at eleven men seated in folding chairs. They all looked up from their iPhones and Androids. Andrew nodded and headed toward the pretty blonde seated behind a metal desk.

“Good morning,” she smiled. “Name?”

“Andrew Jamison.”

“Okay, Mr. Jamison, please take a seat. Mrs. Americus will be with you shortly.”

He scrutinized his fellow applicants. They were all black men save for the one white guy with a man-bun who was called in as soon as Andrew sat down. Man-bun wasn’t in there long. In less than five minutes, cheeks flushed and cursing under his breath, he stormed across the reception area and out of sight.

Andrew clenched his jaw and made eye contact with another man across the room from him. He imagined the unease in the man’s eyes mirrored his own uncertainty.

“Andrew Jamison, Mrs. Americus will see you now. Just through that door.”

The door opened to a large office filled with cubicles and desks, manned by women tapping away on typewriters or murmuring into the handsets of—

Andrew slowed his gait.

Are those rotary telephones and, wait, Royal typewriters?

As Andrew gawked, a large man with a mustache as thick has a shoe brush appeared before him. Andrew glanced up and then quickly shifted his gaze away from the brawny man’s left eyelid, which was weighed down with a sty the size of a dime.

“In there,” the man huffed, aiming a chubby finger at a closed door not more than five feet from where they stood.

The office was as small as a janitor’s closet. And dark.

The lone window on the far left wall faced the shadowy back of a department store. Metal file cabinets lined the walls; some of the drawers were open, revealing manila folders bulging with papers. He could see, even in the muddy darkness of the room, a layer of dust atop the cabinets. Hanging on the walls were at least twenty framed photographs of people, all of whom were black.

The air was rife with the scent of cigarette smoke.

Andrew remembered people smoking at their desks when he went to visit his mother at her office job when he was young. Once, on a flight to Detroit with his grandmother, he stood at the back of the plane waiting to use the bathroom, and found himself engulfed in a cloud of smoke billowing from the cigarettes of three passengers.

He couldn’t recall the exact year cities around the country began banning smoking in bars and restaurants, but he was supremely aware that smokers had to be at least four hundred feet away from the entrance of any building if they wanted to light up.

Yet here was this woman, puffing away like it was 1975. Andrew eyed the near-empty box of Winstons and then the woman. She was robust—a meat-and-potatoes sort of gal, with doughy cheeks and large blue eyes. Her sun-bleached blond hair fanned back from her face—a style made famous by the eighties icon Farrah Fawcett. Her lips were slathered in tangerine-colored lipstick. The same color rung the filters of a dozen long-dead Winston butts heaped in the black ceramic ashtray. Andrew thought, If she’s going for clown instead of glamour, well, bull’s-eye!

Ornate rings twinkled on seven of her ten fingers, the rose-gold chain she wore around her neck dribbled down her chest and disappeared into her cleavage. She looked to be in her midfifties.

“Good morning, Mr. Jamison. Please have a seat.” Her eyes remained glued to the sheet of paper clutched in her hands. Andrew assumed it was his résumé.

He sat down.

“You graduated from Brown University?”

“Y-yes, I did. I graduated summa cum laude in 1990.”

Her desk was cluttered with newspaper clippings; stacks of aging yellowed papers, and dated fashion magazines. Andrew’s eyebrows climbed. Was that Marcia from the seventies sitcom The Brady Bunch on the cover of that Glamour magazine?

Andrew chuckled to himself. This had to be an elaborate joke. Someone was putting him on. His eyes ranged around the office in search of a concealed camera.

“Impressive,” she said finally, looking him directly in the eye. “Do you have a wife?”

“S-sorry?”

“Are you married, Mr. Jamison?”

“No, I’m not.”

She searched his face. “Are you gay?”

Andrew bristled. “Mrs. Americus, I don’t think you’re legally allowed to ask me that question.”

She smirked.

“It’s a yes-or-no question, Mr. Jamison. I know it’s unusual, but believe me, for this position I would need to know.”

His rent was due tomorrow and then again in thirty more days. His savings were dwindling. “No, I’m not gay.”

“Do you have children?”

“One daughter, she’s twenty-two years old.”

“Do you have a good relationship with your daughter? With the mother?”

“Yes.”

Mrs. Americus glanced at his résumé. “Perfect.” She reached for the dying cigarette and brought it to her lips. “And according to your application, you’ve never been arrested. Is that true?”

“Yes.”

“Well, we will be doing a background check.”

“Understood.”

“Do you have any bad habits? Do you use narcotics?”

“No ma’am.”

“Any . . . um . . . undesirable recreational activities?”

“Undesirable?”

“Porn? Well, not just porn. Kiddie porn.”

Andrew’s mouth fell open.

“No judgment, Mr. Jamison. Again, I just need to know.”

“No, I do not watch kiddie porn,” Andrew spat.

“Good!” she exclaimed, drumming her fingers on the desk. “Let me tell you the specifics of the job . . .”

Some of the faces behind the glass frames looked familiar. Again Andrew found himself squinting. Was that Omarosa? He pitched forward in his chair.

Mrs. Americus stopped talking and followed his gaze. “Um, yes,” she spouted. “That is who you think it is. She’s been one of our best recruits.”

Andrew swallowed.

Mrs. Americus stubbed out her cigarette and laced her fingers under her chin. “Some of our liaisons work directly with government agencies. That’s a promotion of sorts. Of course, before you can be assigned to the big house—I mean the White House—you’d first have to prove yourself out in the field.” She giggled. “In the field. You get it? It’s a double entendre.”

Andrew’s mouth went dry.

She twisted around in the chair and pointed to a photograph of a pair of middle-aged women standing shoulder to shoulder, each holding a red MAGA baseball cap. “Those ladies are Diamond and Silk. Do you know them?”

Andrew shot out up from the chair. For a moment, he thought his knees would buckle. “What does OBF stand for?”

Mrs. Americus reached for the pack of cigarettes. “OBF stands for One Black Friend.”

“One Black Friend?”

“Yes. You see, in these troubling times, times where so many people are labeling white people as racist, we need black people to stand up for us—to have our backs, as your people are fond of saying. Sometimes, Mr. Jamison, a God-fearing, good white person may be accused of a crime or some other offense perpetrated against a person of color, and when the accused does not have a person of color in his circle, it looks bad. The public may see him . . . or her, as a racist simply because their circle is . . . white. Lily.

“And that’s wrong. Not having black friends does not make a white person racist by default. Anyway,” she waved her hand, “that’s where OBF comes in. We provide that one black friend. That one black friend introduces doubt, and more often than not, that doubt diminishes a large percentage of the negative impact our clients might face.”

Andrew just stared.

“Oh, Mr. Jamison, don’t look so shocked. This practice has been around for centuries.” She pointed to the far wall near the window. “You see that guy there? He was actually the inspiration for this company.”

Andrew peered at the photograph. “Who is he?”

“Joe Oliver.”

“Joe Oliver?”

“Yeah, Joe Oliver. You don’t remember him? Joe Oliver, George Zimmerman’s one black friend.” Mrs. Americus raised a black ceramic coffee mug to her lips and sipped. The red decal on the side of the mug read: Black Tears.

Andrew’s stomach lurched, perspiration beading across his forehead. “This is some kind of joke, right?”

“Oh, I assure you this is not a joke and I am very serious. As serious as a heart attack. Is that how the saying goes? As serious as a heart attack?”

Andrew started toward the door.

“Wait, Mr. Jamison. Look here.” She pointed at a photograph hanging above the row of filing cabinets. “This is another one of our liaisons. Since he’s been working for us, he’s paid off his student loans and I understand that he’s just recently purchased a Cadillac.”

Andrew followed her index finger to the photo of a grinning black man holding a Blacks for Trump sign above his head like a trophy.

“Shall we talk about salary?”

The lights flickered.

He thought, Maybe I’m still asleep. Maybe this is a nightmare.

“Andrew? I can see you’re having a hard time processing all of this. But really, it’s not as uncommon as you might think. We live in America, this is a capitalist country, and we monetize everything. Everything.”

Andrew couldn’t remember reaching for the doorknob, but suddenly he was stumbling through the reception area.

He fled down the corridor, rounded the first corner and then the next. A slight man the color of honeyed milk stepped from the elevator. He wore a yellow dress shirt with a red bow tie. His dark-blue khakis were flooded just enough to offer a wink of his orange-and-navy argyle socks.

Upon Andrew’s frantic approach, the startled stranger stepped swiftly out of his path. Andrew didn’t make eye contact. He jabbed at the elevator button until the doors slid open.

Weeks later, Andrew was seated in a truck-stop diner with his fork poised over a plate of scrambled eggs and corned beef hash.

The mounted television was tuned to Fox News. The anchor reported that yet another young black man had been gunned down by a vigilante, another Good Samaritan, named Christopher Parks.

Christopher Parks was heading home from his job as a sanitation man when he spotted young Daniel Latham sitting in Starbucks, dozing over his law textbooks. Parks entered the establishment, woke Latham with a tap to his shoulder, and asked if he lived in the area. According to eyewitnesses, Latham replied that he did in fact live in the neighborhood. Parks demanded to see Latham’s ID and was met with laughter. The law student gathered his belongings and stood to leave—rather menacingly, one eyewitness reported.

That was when Christopher Parks pulled his weapon and fired. The stunned Latham, still laughing, crumpled into his chair and pressed his hand over the whole in his heart. It wasn’t until he saw the blood that the smile slipped from his lips and he began to cry.

The cops were called, but not an ambulance. Well, not immediately.

The police shackled Latham to the chair and took Parks to the police station for questioning. The woman behind the counter gave Parks a high five and a tall Caffè Mocha to go.

By the time an ambulance arrived, Daniel Latham was dead, having bled out all over his take-home final exam.

In the days that followed, it was revealed that Daniel Latham had several unpaid parking tickets and was thrice fined for not scooping his dog’s poop. Not only that—he was also a practicing Buddhist who supported a woman’s right to choose.

A search of Latham’s apartment unearthed a well-worn copy of Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X, which was on his nightstand alongside Jay-Z’s Decoded. This discovery was further evidence that Latham was no angel.

Laura Ingraham looked directly into the camera and told her viewers that Christopher Parks was a hero, a polite and well-spoken man who had been raised by his father after his mother died from breast cancer when he was just three years old. Yes, as a youth, Christopher had been suspended from school for fighting, and as a young man he’d beaten a girlfriend with a pipe. Later, when he was in his early thirties, he’d threatened to castrate his boss—a black man old enough to be his grandfather. All of that behavior, Laura Ingraham said, was directly connected to the trauma of losing a mother at such a tender age.

She paused, and in that moment her entire face pulsed with empathy. “That said,” she continued, “Al Sharpton, along with the Black Lives Matter terrorist organization, have labeled Christopher Parks a racist and are calling for his arrest.” She shook her head and chuckled. “Earlier today, I had the pleasure of speaking with Christopher’s longtime best friend, Andrew Jamison . . .”

Andrew lowered his fork, reached for his shades, and slipped them onto his face.

—OBF, Inc., a short story by Bernice L. McFadden

[eris-anansi]

Dreamwood 1999

Episode 4: When They Hatch

Dreamwood is plagued by pigeon overpopulation and the police department is tasked with decreasing their numbers. What begins as a clever attempt at population control involving fake pigeon eggs takes a disastrous turn.

CW: Implied murder, graphic depictions of murder, depictions of violence, character death, body horror

Associated Song: underscores - trustfall!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, September 13th, 1999.

Dreamwood was no big city, but it shared some common problems with big cities. Among them being pigeons. Winged rats, as the townsfolk called them. The flying vermin had plagued Dreamwood for years, and the people were starting to look to the town’s leadership to do something about their feathered adversaries. Responsibility inevitability fell to the Dreamwood Police Department. 

Chief Bowers sat in his office on the phone with a rather important man. “Yes, Mayor Rogers. I’m well aware of the gravity of this situation.” 

“You say that, but I still feel the need to remind you,” the voice on the other line began, “I am receiving urgent letters every day about birds invading homes. Just yesterday Farmer Dale reported having his kitchen raided by a gang of the damn things! It’s a war zone out there!” 

“I don’t know what you want me to do, Mr. Mayor.”

“Make them disappear! Whatever it takes!” 

The voice of a secretary in the Mayor’s background could be faintly heard informing him of another pigeon-related report, before Rogers hung up suddenly. Chief Bowers sat quietly in his chair for several seconds processing the situation. “Pigeons,” he mumbled to himself as he set the phone down.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the forensics lab, Jeffrey Woods was examining the body of the shapeshifter Randy had shot. He was perplexed at the fact that its DNA tested to be almost perfectly identical to Thomas Wheeler’s– but moreover he was fascinated. He wondered if it had died in the form of the Zodiac Killer, would the real killer’s identity have been revealed through the DNA test? It was ideas like these, cases like these– those which dwelled in the land of the esoteric and the macabre– that fueled Jeffrey’s passion for his profession. He lived for exactly what this was. in the background, an old television atop a desk played Dracula’s Daughter, an old black and white horror film from the 1930s. A reclusive yet undeniably talented investigator, Jeffrey’s life seemed to revolve around the darkness. 

When he heard the beep of a notification from his desktop, he switched gears and made a beeline for his computer chair. He sat down and checked the source of the automated noise- a message he had received in a private chat room conversation between himself and an anonymous salesman. A salesman whom he believed had something that Chief Bowers would find incredibly valuable given the current situation. The salesman had confirmed that he in fact still had more of his product in stock- enough for Jeffrey’s elaborate scheme. Pleased with the results, Jeffrey smiled and typed his response.  

There was a knock at the door, then a low creak as it opened. Parker Caldwell entered the room. He took a look at the television screen then the metal slab on which the shapeshifter’s body laid. He took a breath before asking his question.

“Who is he, Jeff?”

Jeffrey nearly jumped in his seat. He spun around in the office chair and met Parker’s gaze. “Jesus christ– good morning to you, too, Parker… I honestly can’t give you a definite answer. His DNA is interacting with our database in a very strange way.”

Parker paused for a second. “...What does that mean?”

“As far as we know his name is Thomas Wheeler and he’s a detective working for the Dreamwood Police Department. His parents are David and Margaret Wheeler, he’s thirty-six years old, and he was born and raised in Dreamwood, Massachusetts. He has no criminal record. Do you see the problem here?”

“Yeah. I see the problem. The Thomas we know is outside cracking jokes with Officer Harrison and Officer Darcy. This is… frustrating. All of our leads seem to stop at a dead end.”

“That tends to happen when we try to apply logic to the illogical,” Jeffrey observed. “Some things are beyond our limited human comprehension, and meant to stay that way.”

Parker blinked. “What are you saying, Jeffrey?” It always got on his nerves when Jeffrey got like this.

“I’m saying that we’ve exited the realm where cases are solved with clues and evidence. The nature of the thing on that table is completely detached from our world.”

Parker glanced once more at the TV screen playing the old vampire movie. He chuckled a bit, slowly wrapping his head around what Jeffrey was saying. “What, you mean like vampires and ghosts?”

“Something like that. I mean, how else would you explain what you and the other guys encountered on that hill? What about in the woods? Or in the interrogation room? Dreamwood does have a history.”

Parker scoffed, choosing to brush him off and get back to work. “Come back to me when you’ve found me some solid, tangible evidence, yeah? This is a serious case, Jeff.” 

With that, he walked out of the room. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, September 16th, 1999.

It was business as usual at the Dreamwood police station. Secretaries typed away at their computers and officers answered phone calls. Parker, Thomas and Officer Darcy stood on a platform overlooking the offices, watching their coworkers go about their duties as they themselves engaged in casual small talk.

Two officers carried boxes into the Dreamwood police station, passing by desks and officers. Parker Caldwell watched them pass by, and gently nudged the shoulder of Thomas who stood beside him. 

“What do you figure is in those boxes?”

“Heck if I know, but I’m certainly gon’ make it my business,” Thomas said with a smirk. 

The officers carried the boxes up to Chief Bowers’ office, setting them on the chief’s desk. “Your delivery, sir.”

“Ah, there it is! It was supposed to arrive today.” He observed that the boxes were marked ‘FRAGILE’ in red ink. He raised an eyebrow at the two officers, “You handled the boxes with care, yeah?”

The officers nodded. “The contents should be fine.”

“And what might the contents be?” Thomas’ voice appeared behind the officers. A smug and curious Wheeler made his entrance with Parker and Darcy in tow. 

“A little idea of Jeffrey’s– imposter eggs we can plant in pigeon nests across town to trick the pigeons into reproducing less. Jeff thinks this could be the key to slowing the growth of our pigeon population,” Bowers explained.

Thomas chuckled. “I’ll give Jeffy Woods one thing: he is a diabolical genius. This might just work.”

Darcy frowned. “Tricking pigeons? That feels a little cruel.”

“Part of our job description is literally shooting things,” Thomas reminded him. “This is a lot less cruel than just shooting the birds, don’cha think?”

“Where did you get the eggs from?” Parker inquired. 

“Jeff ordered them off of some website on the internet. Personally I don’t really understand computers but I hear you’re able to shop on them now,” Bowers said.

Thomas nodded. “This technology thing seems to be the future.”

The other two officers started to open the boxes, unveiling several dozen artificial eggs in each box. One officer lightly tapped the eggs and hummed. “Huh. It’s hollow.”

“That’s weird,” Bowers commented, but he didn’t think much after that. He simply shrugged it off. “The pigeons oughtn’t notice.”

Thomas sucked his teeth and said, “Hopefully we aren’t underestimating these birds…”

“In a few weeks time we should have our answer,” Parker said. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monday, September 27th, 1999.

Over the weekend, the police department launched a campaign against Dreamwood’s pigeon population. Fake eggs were planted in nests all across the small city and kept under careful surveillance. Even a few pigeons were tagged with cameras. 

The whole affair felt like a waste of time to Parker; a hindrance to his greatest concern, which was getting back on the Jackson case. But alas, no leads had turned up since the shapeshifter. Damn that Randy, he would find himself thinking. That Skinner bastard. Because of Randy, he thought, he and Thomas had been put on pigeon-camera duty. Yes, it was all Randy’s fault. Parker should be out there being a goddamn American hero right now.

“I swear I already done seen that same leaf get blown by twice now,” Thomas observed, taking a long drag from his cigarette. He leaned back against his chair staring at the monitor with an expression that only began to convey the heavy boredom that Parker felt right now.

“I still can’t believe they’ve got us doing this,” Parker sighed.

“Hey, don’t take it personal– if it makes you feel any better I bet Randy and Keith are in our same spot right now.”

“That doesn’t make me feel better, no.”

On the monitor the two men watched a pigeon circle a nest of eggs tucked away in a tree not far from Devil’s Lake, two out of the three were fakes planted by the DWPD. The bird appeared to be none the wiser. It had been a couple of hours now, and the pigeon hadn’t seemed to notice. Parker and Thomas carried on with their conversation.

“I swear Randy has it out for me,” Parker continued. “He glares at me whenever I enter a room.”

“Well he is a Skinner,” Thomas hummed. “Last I heard your family and his family have quite the history.” He purposefully understated said history.

“The Skinners have been trying to steal this town up from under the noses of people like my father and my grandfather for generations. They’d run Dreamwood into the ground if they ever did.”

“And I don’t doubt that,” Thomas chuckled lightly. He tapped his cigarette into a nearby ashtray. 

“That’s part of the reason why Jackson wanted me to run for mayor. Follow in his footsteps. The whole reason why I ran away in the first place.”

“I remember, brother. I remember. And look at you now– fulfilled his dying wish of returning home, and now you’re leading the effort to solve his murder. Fate is certainly a cruel mistress. You think Randy thinks he has a shot at the mayoral campaign this season? He is a fairly popular detective.”

Parker snorted. “The idea is laughable. He would be crazy to go along with it.”

“I got a feelin’ we have yet to see just how crazy that man really is. But I got a question I been meanin’ to ask you, Parks.”

“Yeah?”

“Back in the interrogation room with that demon lady, she implied that you were hidin’ somethin’ from the rest of us. She said, ‘Tell him what you stole’.”

Parker felt a small chill run down his spine. He was afraid of being put in this position– one in which he would have lie to his best friend. 

“Now, I figured that she was just tryna screw with our heads so I tried not to think much about it,” Thomas said. “But lately I can’t take my mind off it. It was almost like she knew you.”

“I never met her before in my life,” Parker said. 

“Well do you know anything about her whole thing with your apparent theft?” Thomas asked again more directly. 

“Thomas, look.” Parker pointed to the monitor. The pigeon had landed in the nest and seemed to be inspecting the eggs. It prodded at one of the fake eggs with its peak with an uncharacteristic roughness.

“Ah, hell,” Thomas cursed. “They’re figuring us out.”

Abruptly, the pigeon pulled its head back and cocked it in apparent confusion. 

“What’s it doing now?” Parker mumbled.

Thomas shrugged audibly. “Heck if I know. Do I look like a birdologist?” 

The two men soon realized that the egg had cracked. 

Wait- it cracked?

“Parker, what the fuck.”

“Thomas– is it supposed to do that?”

“I was gon’ ask you that! But we really should be askin’ Jeff, he was the one who ordered ‘em.”

“Wait, maybe we just lost track of the eggs. Maybe that one isn’t one of ours- maybe it’s real.”

The pigeon continued to watch the egg intently, as if waiting for something to happen. The crack spread until both the bird and the two detectives were able to peer inside of the egg which seemed to contain nothing but a black void.

“Officer Sterling said the eggs were hollow…” Parker recalled aloud. He had a bad feeling all of a sudden as he continued to observe the live footage, the feeling was similar to that of watching the series of events leading up to a highway accident. From the hole in the egg emerged a thin ribbon of smoke, quite like the smoke from Thomas’ cigarette. The only difference is that it was completely black. It rose into the air and seemed to frighten the pigeon. The sentiment was shared among Parker and Thomas.

“That’s definitely not one of its eggs,” Parker confirmed. 

Upon contact with the smoke, the pigeon promptly fell on its side and violently convulsed. Red foam bubbled at the edges of the bird’s mouth and spilled from its open beak. Parker and Thomas watched the brutal display in horror, unsure what to make of it. The pigeon continued to twitch for dear life as its body appeared to shrink-- no, flatten-- no, deflate like a balloon. It was as if the air was sucked out of the bird’s tiny body, leaving nothing but a hollow husk of a thing. 

Thomas’ jaw was at the floor at this point. He repeated, “Parker… what the fuck.”

Parker’s eyes were glued to the monitor. He might not’ve even heard Thomas at that moment. His bad feeling was indeed validated, but nothing in the world could have prepared him for this.

Then, somehow, it managed to get worse. The pigeon… inflated again. It seemed to be recovering from its previous condition, but it was soon clear that its proportions were all wrong– it looked like an amateur artist’s interpretation of a pigeon given high definition life and color. It was horribly uncanny. It scurried on its wings as if they were front legs, and darted down the tree out of the camera’s sight. 

Parker and Thomas both looked at eachother.

“Remind me, Thomas, how many eggs did we plant out there?” Parker asked.

“At… at least twenty of ‘em,” Thomas answered. The gravity of Parker’s question was sinking in fast.

“We need to alert Bowers. Quickly.” Parker got up out of his chair and rushed to the office. Thomas followed quickly.

Chief Bowers had just gotten off the phone with Mayor Rogers again and appeared to be in a great mood. He wore a rare but not unusual smile that Parker had learned indicated good news- otherwise the chief was most often a stoic and serious man much like himself. 

“Great timing, Caldwell! Mayor Rogers just informed me that the pigeon population has started to drop in the last week and is expected to continue. Our efforts seem to be having the desired effect!”

“Yeah, about that–” Thomas started,

“One of the eggs hatched.” Parker blurted before Thomas could finish.

Chief Bowers blinked slowly, processing what Parker told him. “One of our eggs hatched?”

“Yes! One of ours!”

“Caldwell, how is that possible?”

“We’ve got footage, chief. Parks ain’t lyin’.”

Once they got through showing Chief Bowers the footage, his face had turned noticeably pale. He now understood why Parker and Thomas were acting so urgent. The images of the pigeon deflating and emerging a shapeless monstrosity danced fresh across his psyche.

 “We’re still holding some of these eggs in the forensic lab,” he realized aloud.

Without a second thought, Parker bolted out of the office and made a beeline for the lab. Thomas ran after him and so did Bowers. 

Jeffrey and Officer Darcy were standing over a table with the eggs still in their box when Parker came charging in. He stopped in the doorway to catch his breath, then looked at Jeff. “Woods, you’ve got some explaining to do.” Thomas and Bowers weren’t far behind.

Jeff paused and looked at Parker. “Huh? Explaining?”

Darcy blinked like a confused dog. “Is something going on?” He was holding one of the eggs in his hand. 

“Did you know the eggs would hatch? Did you know they’re hatching??”

“Hatching??” Jeffrey’s voice bent in disbelief.

“So you’re right where we are,” Parker sighed. “Where did you get those eggs?”

“A website for pest control services,” Jeff explained. “I spoke to the seller one-on-one through a chatroom or something. Are they really hatching?” He sounded more interested than concerned.

“Yes, damnit!” Thomas said. “Can you contact the seller now? Maybe he can tell us how to fix it.”

Jeffrey turned on his computer and typed the website’s URL into the address bar. He clicked on the link, only to turn up a screen that said ‘Page Not Found’. It seemed the website did not exist. He blinked. “That’s weird– I could’ve sworn that was the address…”

“Jeff- what did we order in those boxes?” Chief Bowers asked, trying his best to keep his composure.

“I don’t know! I thought they were regular fake eggs!” Jeffrey was growing frantic as well.

Darcy glanced between his colleagues. “Guys– I don’t understand, why is everybody yelling?” 

“Darcy- put the egg down,” Parker spoke calmly. 

Darcy didn’t ask any questions. He put the egg down gently- just before it started to crack. He gasped, “Did- did I break it?”

“Darcy!” Parker shouted in a panic. “Get away from it!” Parker, Thomas, and Bowers clamored for Darcy to get the hell away from the egg.

But it was too late. He had already inhaled the black ribbon of smoke that escaped the hollow shell. He recoiled, his face going pale and his eyes widening. His body let forth a violent retch as he leaned over the table, before he rushed to the nearest bathroom at the end of the room and slammed the door. From the other side, Parker, Thomas, Jeff, and Bowers could hear violent heaving. 

Then, the sounds came to an abrupt end. The silence somehow felt worse.

Jeff, who was closest to the door, slowly got up from his chair and backed towards the detectives and the chief. Parker watched the door carefully, and Chief Bowers had begun mumbling a silent prayer. 

Then the door creaked open.

Parker, prepared for the worst, reached for the gun on his hip. Thomas did the same. Bowers was the last to react. 

“D..Darcy?...” Thomas called out weakly. He wasn’t sure if Darcy was still Darcy anymore, and he sensed that he and Parker were on the same page. Parker’s gun was already aimed at the door, something Thomas still couldn’t bring himself to do. 

Officer Darcy emerged from the bathroom and collapsed on his knees in the doorway, breathing heavily. He coughed. “Jesus christ– what was in that egg?? It smelled awful-”

Parker slowly lowered his weapon and rushed to Darcy’s side. Thomas let out a sigh of relief, “Oh, thank god.” Parker inspected Darcy for any signs of adverse effects– and found none. He seemed perfectly fine aside from puking his guts. “I guess it only affects birds,” Parker thought aloud.

“What only affects birds??” Darcy asked.

Parker was hesitant about showing Darcy the footage after what had just happened. He disregarded the question and turned his attention back to Thomas and Chief Bowers. “We need to track down those other eggs.”

Bowers nodded affirmatively. “Right. Before more start hatching.”

That was when Keith made his entrance. “Chief– we’ve got a situation.”

The chief turned to Keith and said, “If you tell me one of the eggs hatched…”

“How did you know?”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Parties were dispatched to the two locations were hatching eggs were reported. Parker and Thomas led a party- including Officer Darcy and three other officers- to investigate an area closer to town where another egg had hatched. The nest was located in a tree near a road leading out of town, and Officer Sterling was currently climbing the tree to reach the nest. When he reached the branch where the nest was situated, he shined his flashlight down on the nest. 

“Parker, Tommy– this isn’t good!” He shouted back down to the squad.

“What is it, Sterling?” Parker called back.

“There used to be four eggs- one of ‘em was ours. But now there’s only two. One of them is the one we planted, and the other one ain’t. But it don’t look like a regular pigeon egg either, it’s more the size of a goose egg- it’s way bigger.”

“Those things have already started laying eggs…” Thomas murmured. 

There was a surprised shout from the tree. Parker and Thomas saw black smoke rising from the tree branch, but they could not see the nest nor Officer Sterling. Soon, they heard Sterling begin to cough violently. 

“Oh, fuck…” Parker whispered to himself.

Up in the distance, Sterling violently heaved- much like Darcy– only Darcy had sounded mild in comparison. From what they could hear, Sterling was fighting for his life. What they heard was confirmed when a heap of blood rained down from the tree– Sterling’s vomit.

Parker, Thomas, and the other officers quickly backed away from the tree. A guttural shriek rang out and carried across the forest. It was at that point Parker reached for his gun and aimed at the tree, prepared to shoot the first thing he saw rear its head from within the leaves. He was certain of one thing- that shriek wasn’t human.

“Sterling?” Parker called out.

The leaves rustled. Something traveled quickly across the treetops, and was soon out of earshot. 

Once they felt safe enough to investigate the nest, they found that Officer Sterling– and the egg– were both gone.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“That’s all of them?”

“The ones that didn’t hatch, yeah.”

Randall and Keith’s squad had managed to recover a sizable number of the eggs, and brought them somewhere isolated at the outskirts of town. Parker and Thomas’ group joined up with them along the way. They stood in front of a crude pile of eggs, Randy holding a container of gasoline in one hand and a box of matches in the other. He fully intended to set fire to it all. 

“And what about the ones that did?” Randy asked, his eyes narrowing.

“There are more that didn’t. We’ll cross that other bridge when we get there,” the officer responded.

“I like that answer. That’s a good answer. You’ve got good answers.”

Randy turned his attention back to the pile of eggs. He began to pour gasoline over them. “I’m gonna send you abominations back to hell,” he grumbled as he shook the container over the egg pile. 

“You do realize that we’ll have to hunt down the hatched pigeons after this, right?” Parker pointed out. “They’re going to lay more eggs, and they seem to reproduce faster than the real pigeons do.”

“Nobody said you can’t be out there doin’ that right now, ‘stead of tellin’ me what to do,” Randy replied. He pulled a matches stick out of the box. “Swear to Jesus I’m gonna kick Jeff’s ass when I get back to the station. None of this would have even happened if it wasn’t for that freak.”

While Randy wasn’t paying attention, a squirrel scurried to his feet and began scratching harmlessly at his leg. “What the-” he looked down, and saw an oddly shaped animal prodding at his pants. Upon further inspection, he found that it wasn’t a rodent at all. Parker identified it before Randy did- it was a pigeon. And not one of the native pigeons, either. 

Randy stumbled back, while at the same time Parker fired his pistol at the pigeon. The impact of the bullet spun the malshapen bird around and it dropped sideways, it chuffed out a cloud of smoke and flattened like a balloon losing air. More pigeons emerged from the forest, some with uneven wingspans- some wings larger than the others, some wings bloated and outsizing the rest of their bodies. They were cheap, gruesome imitations of birds. Parker and the rest of the DWPD wasted no time mowing them down.

“Good God!” Randy exclaimed. 

Parker wasn’t finished, though. He nudged Thomas and alerted the others to approaching rustling in the nearby leaves. Something was headed towards them- something bigger than a pigeon. 

The air fell silent. The men waited as the rustling drew closer. 

And closer. 

And closer still. 

Until they caught the glimpse of something that their brains struggled to make sense of.

What emerged from the trees was a mass of flesh more than seven feet tall, constructed in ways that barely made sense. Parker couldn’t tell if he was looking at the creature’s front or its back. Its elbows were folded inwards. It dragged itself across the ground like a slug. Strands of hair hung freely from a large pulsing bulb which appeared to be its head, though no distinguishable facial features were visible. Still, Parker had a feeling he knew what he stood facing- or rather who. The creature’s half-torn clothes- the remnants of a police officer’s uniform- gave away its identity. 

“...Officer Sterling?” Parker’s eyes widened in horror at the realization.

At this point Officer Darcy was holding back tears. “Oh… oh God…”

The creature froze at the mention of its name, as though some part of him still clung onto his old identity. It was quickly overridden, though, as it let out a gurgling growl at the armed men and began to charge. It dragged itself towards them to the best of its ability, its arms unfolding and reaching forth with sharpened, elongated nails. The men opened fire on the monstrosity wearing Sterling’s skin, but bullets did little to deter the abomination. 

Randy lit his match stick and hurled it into the pile of a dozen or so eggs. Thanks to the gasoline, the fire ignited quickly and soon spread to Officer Sterling. Both he and the unhatched eggs went up in a storm of flames.

A shocked Darcy gazed at the spectacle, the dancing flames reflecting in his eyes. He didn’t hear Parker, Thomas, and Randy shouting at him that it was time to run. Thomas had to tug on Darcy in order to get his feet moving, he was barely even aware that he was moving until the fire almost wasn’t in sight anymore.

Then he saw something else.

Beyond the fire, from within the dense forest, Darcy saw two pairs of green eyes staring back at the detectives. They were attached to a figure shrouded in a long trenchcoat and a wide brimmed hat. Darcy was sure the eyes would linger in his memory for years to come. He felt them clawing at his very consciousness.

More importantly, he swore he had seen those eyes somewhere before. Somewhere recent.

“Darcy! Snap out of it!”

He snapped back to reality and was now focused on Parker- the voice that had pulled him out of his stupor. 

The men retreated into the woods as the fire roared on in the distance. Sterling’s agonized screams carried for miles in the frigid autumn air.    

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Back at the police station, Parker, Thomas, Randy, Keith, and Officer Darcy sat in silence. They had been doing so since the hour after they escaped the forest. 

They were stuck in a daze as they sat around processing the events of the day. It was hard to believe that it had all began with something as simple as pest control.

A voice spoke up suddenly. It was Officer Darcy’s.

“That… could have been me.”

Darcy had thought back to the time he inhaled the smoke. He thought he was going to die in that room, but through some miracle he turned out fine. After he saw what had become of Sterling, who suffered a similar fate, it had caused his life to flash before his eyes.

“...Why wasn’t it me?” He mumbled seemingly in a trance.

“Life works in mysterious ways, Henry,” Thomas exhaled. He had gone through three glasses of bourbon already, and the bottle was still close by.

“We were just lucky those things seemed to be in some kinda early stage of development,” Randy said. “I don’ think they had fully learned how to mimic nature yet. But they coulda learned if we let ‘em live a bit longer. I know they could.”

“Then let’s hope we destroyed them all,” Keith audibly thought. “I would hate to think what could happen if one of those things learned how to perfectly mimic a pigeon– much less a human being.”

Henry Darcy looked back at his friends, and with the most sincere expression he’s ever had, he said, “There is something truly, deeply wrong with this town. I’ve felt it before, but I know it now. There was something else watching us back there...”

Parker nodded slowly. “Yeah, I saw it, too.”

“The green eyes?” Thomas questioned.

“The eyes, yeah,” Parker confirmed. Judging by the look in his eyes, he was deeply troubled. 

“I couldn’t look away from them at first,” Darcy admitted. “I felt like a deer in headlights. It was a strange feeling, something I’d never felt before. Something… primal. It was like-”

“Standing face to face with your natural predator?” Parker guessed. 

“Yes- yes, exactly,” Darcy nodded.

Parker hummed. “Up until today, I didn’t think it was something possible for humans to feel. I thought it was only exclusive to animals.” His gaze turned to a nearby window and he gazed out into the cloudy distance of Dreamwood, Massachusetts. He wondered if he’d be able to see the sun in Manhattan.

“I thought we were at the top of the food chain.”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author’s Note 

The storyline of this episode is heavily based on the r/nosleep story “The Pigeons Around Here Aren’t Real” by Manen Lyset.

If you enjoyed this episode especially, you will surely love their work!

[ejointech]

What is GSM modem and how it works?

A GSM modem is a device that allows electronic devices to communicate with each other over the GSM network. GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications, and it is the most widely used cellular network standard in the world.

GSM modem work by connecting to the GSM network using a SIM card. A SIM card is a small, removable card that contains your mobile phone number and other subscriber information. Once the SIM card is inserted, the GSM modem can start sending and receiving SMS messages and data.

GSM modem use a variety of protocols to communicate with the GSM network, including:

SMS (Short Message Service): SMS is used to send and receive text messages.

GPRS (General Packet Radio Service): GPRS is used to send and receive data packets.

EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution): EDGE is a faster version of GPRS that can be used to send and receive data at speeds of up to 384 kbps.

GSM modem can be used in a variety of applications, including:

Home automation: GSM modems can be used to control home automation devices, such as thermostats, lights, and security systems, using SMS messages.

Machine-to-machine (M2M) communication: GSM modems can be used to send and receive SMS messages between machines. For example, an SMS modem could be used to send an SMS message from a vending machine to its owner to alert them that it is running low on stock.

Business messaging: GSM modems can be used to send and receive bulk SMS messages to customers. For example, a business could use an SMS modem to send SMS messages to customers about sales and promotions.

Emergency alerts: GSM modems can be used to send emergency alerts to people in a specific area. For example, a government agency could use an SMS modem to send SMS messages to people in a hurricane evacuation zone to warn them about the storm.

GSM modem are a versatile and affordable way to communicate. They are used in a variety of applications, from home automation to business messaging to emergency alerts.

Here is a simplified explanation of how a GSM modem works:

The GSM modem connects to the GSM network using a SIM card.

The GSM modem sends and receives data and SMS messages using a variety of protocols, including SMS, GPRS, and EDGE.

The GSM modem communicates with other electronic devices using a variety of interfaces, such as USB and serial.

To use a GSM modem, you will need to:

Insert a SIM card from a mobile phone carrier.

Connect the GSM modem to your computer or other electronic device.

Install and configure the necessary software.

Once the GSM modem is set up, you can start sending and receiving SMS messages and data.

[cyberoceans]

Why Choosing the Best VoIP for Small Business UK and MRP Software Matters for Growth

Running a successful small business in the UK requires staying ahead of the competition, embracing modern tools, and finding smart ways to cut unnecessary costs. For many entrepreneurs, investing in the best VoIP for small business UK is no longer just an option — it’s an essential step to keep teams connected and customers satisfied. At the same time, using the right MRP software for manufacturing business can completely transform production efficiency and open the door to scalable growth.

Small businesses, especially in the UK’s competitive landscape, need reliable communication tools to maintain professionalism and ensure smooth collaboration. The best VoIP for small business UK offers cost-effective calling, flexibility to work from anywhere, and advanced features like call forwarding, virtual receptionists, and detailed call analytics. Unlike traditional phone systems, VoIP solutions give businesses the freedom to expand without paying huge amounts for extra lines or hardware upgrades.

When a small business pairs modern communication with smart production management, it creates a solid foundation for growth. That’s where MRP software for manufacturing business comes in. Many manufacturers struggle with challenges like inventory control, production scheduling, and managing raw materials. Good MRP software automates these complex tasks, helping business owners monitor stock levels, plan production runs, and meet delivery deadlines with confidence.

Choosing the right MRP software for manufacturing business is not just about tracking parts and pieces — it’s about gaining visibility over the entire production cycle. This means managers can spot bottlenecks early, adjust resources as needed, and reduce waste. By integrating this with financial data and order management, manufacturers can make smarter decisions that boost profit margins and customer satisfaction.

One reason businesses across the UK look for the best VoIP for small business UK is the need for flexibility in a fast-changing work environment. Many companies now offer remote or hybrid work, and traditional phone lines simply don’t cut it anymore. VoIP systems allow employees to take calls on their laptops or mobiles, keep the same business number, and stay available to clients even when they’re not at their desks. This level of mobility can help even a small team operate like a larger organisation — without paying the price of a corporate phone system.

When considering MRP software for manufacturing business, it’s important to look for features that match the scale of your operations. Some solutions are designed for large factories, but there are plenty of user-friendly options ideal for small and mid-sized manufacturers who want to automate repetitive tasks and eliminate manual errors. The right system can also help with compliance and quality control, so that every product meets customer expectations and industry standards.

For a business to grow sustainably, efficiency is just as crucial as good communication. That’s why combining the best VoIP for small business UK with effective MRP software for manufacturing business can be a game changer. These tools work together to streamline everyday operations — from handling customer calls to managing production lines — freeing up valuable time and resources that can be reinvested into product development, marketing, or hiring new talent.

Adopting these technologies does not have to be complicated or expensive. Many providers offer cloud-based solutions that don’t require heavy upfront investment in hardware. Businesses can often pay a simple monthly fee and scale up as they grow. This means even the smallest companies can access the same advanced features that larger competitors rely on.

cyberocean.co.uk understands the challenges small businesses face when trying to balance quality and cost. By choosing tools like the best VoIP for small business UK and MRP software for manufacturing business, owners can focus on what they do best — delivering great products and services to their customers. In the long run, these smart investments can help businesses of all sizes work more efficiently, respond faster to market demands, and build a loyal customer base that keeps coming back.

In today’s economy, no business can afford to ignore modern solutions that drive efficiency and cut costs. From crystal-clear calls to automated production processes, the combination of top VoIP services and robust MRP software makes a powerful toolkit for ambitious small businesses. By staying connected, organised, and ready to adapt, any company can strengthen its position in the market and grow with confidence.

[daniel1456789]

Transform Your Barbershop in 2025: Work Less, Earn More!

Introduction

South Africa’s barbershops are changing fast. Styles evolve, clients are more demanding, and competition is tougher than ever. But owners still struggle with messy paper schedules, last-minute staff changes, and piles of cash slips at the till.

What if you could fix all these headaches with just a few clicks? Thanks to modern barbershop software, you can. The right salon management system and barber shop pos (point of sale) can help you manage your team, please your clients, and boost your profits, all through automation and smart technology.

Ready to see how? Let’s dive into how modern solutions like barber software and digital systems can give your barbershop the edge.

Table of Contents

Industry Insights: The Modern South African Barbershop

Smart Money Moves: Managing Finances in the Digital Age

How Barbershop Operations Have Evolved

The Software Revolution: Why Digital Tools Are a Game-Changer

The Power of Automation for Barbershops

Essential Features to Look for in Barbershop Software

The Real-World Impact of Software Adoption

MioSalon: The All-in-One Solution for South African Barbershops

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions from Barbershop Owners

Next Steps: Grow Your Barbershop with Confidence

Industry Insights: The Modern South African Barbershop

Today’s barbershops in South Africa look nothing like your grandfather’s. Funky décor, digital menus, and trendy barbers are everywhere. People expect more than a cut; they want something unique, like free Wi-Fi, coffee, loyalty rewards, and to be remembered. 

The most successful shops use barbershop management software or a salon management system to handle daily tasks.

With so many options, standing out means going above and beyond:

Personalized service

Quick, online booking with a barber booking system

Staff who always know each client’s favourite style

Businesses using old notebooks or relying on memory lose clients to those that embrace barbershop software with features like a staff rota and a digital client database.

Smart Money Moves: Managing Finances in the Digital Age

Smart owners watch every cent. You budget for staff, new clippers, chairs, and, now more than ever, barbershop software. Using a barber shop pos system automates sales and manages your cash, cards, and even mobile payments. You can split tips, pay barbers, and keep track of your expenses. No more mistakes from manual counting!

A digital salon management system or barbershop management software will:

Track payroll (including payroll automation for staff)

Help you plan for upgrades

Show profits and spot problems with built-in service analytics

Need a loan? With accurate, digital records, banks trust you more. Plus, some systems offer multi-location support so all your business numbers are easy to see, even if you have more than one shop.

How Barbershop Operations Have Evolved

From dusty appointment books to a cloud-based management system on your phone, running a shop has become high-tech!

Old methods meant confusion, lost appointments, grumpy staff, and even lost cash. Today, barber scheduling software organizes everything for you, updating schedules in real-time and delivering digital queue management so clients always know their spot.

You can:

Assign staff with a few clicks using salon software for staff management

Manage stock, sales, and bookings, all in your barbershop management software

Let clients book from home, on the road, or after hours with a mobile booking option

If you have two or fifty locations, a cloud-based management system keeps you in control everywhere.

The Software Revolution: Why Digital Tools Are a Game-Changer

Why are more shops switching to digital tools? With the right barber software and barbershop appointment software, you can:

Let clients pick their barber, book slots, and get reminders from a barbers booking system

Send automatic texts and emails (no more calling everyone yourself!)

See your team’s best performers and set goals using staff management apps

The best barbershop software offers loyalty integration, so you can reward regulars and send them deals. A barber shop pos connects with your client database and handles every sale, refund, and discount, all automatically.

In a crowded market, convenience and speed win. Shops with barbershop appointment software fill up seats fast because bookings and reminders are just a click away.

The Power of Automation for Barbershops

Automation means less work and more accuracy. With salon management system tools, you can:

Create a custom staff rota for your team

Collect payments and split commissions with payroll automation

Let the software send appointment reminders so fewer clients forget

A digital queue management system tells clients exactly when it’s their turn, even sending updates straight to their phone. Your barbers spend less time on paperwork and more on fresh fades. Automatic reports and service analytics show what days are busiest and which services clients love best , powerful knowledge!

If you want to work smarter, not harder, using barbershop management software is the way forward.

Essential Features to Look for in Barbershop Software

Digital queue

Payroll automation

Loyalty integration

Mobile booking

Secure cloud-based management

Detailed service analytics

Client database

Multi-location support, so you can grow big!

The Real-World Impact of Software Adoption

Digital transformation isn’t just talk, it’s making real barbershops more successful!

Higher profits: Automated reminders fill more seats, loyalty integration brings back clients, and easy payment with the barber shop pos means no lost sales

Team happiness: Staff get clear schedules and quick pay thanks to payroll automation in your salon software for staff management

Faster service: A digital queue means no more line-jumping or shouting from the waiting area!

Actionable insights: With service analytics from your barbershop management software, you can spot top performers, popular services, and slow days fast

If you run more than one shop, multi-location support in your system lets you grow worry-free, no more juggling papers or endless WhatsApp messages.

MioSalon: The All-in-One Solution for South African Barbershops

Ready to meet a tool that does everything? MioSalon is the leading choice for barbershops across South Africa, rolling all your needs into a single, cloud-based dashboard.

Here’s how MioSalon’s barbershop software stands out:

Salon software for staff management: Assign shifts, track staff, run payroll, and celebrate your team’s achievements—all in one smart system.

Barbers booking system & barber scheduling software: Say goodbye to phone tag and double-bookings. Clients book online, get reminders, and even choose their favorite barber, whether you have one location or a dozen.

Barber shop pos: Sell products, process every payment, manage inventory, and print receipts fast.

Barbershop appointment software: Automated reminders, confirmations, and digital queue management keep your calendar full.

Client database & loyalty integration: See each client’s history, send birthday rewards, and keep people coming back.

Mobile booking: Let clients book and pay on their phones, any time, anywhere.

Cloud-based management, service analytics, multi-location support: Manage it all on the go, view every number in real-time, and scale up without losing control.

Safe, flexible, and perfect for growing brands, MioSalon means more bookings, happier teams, and more time for you.

Also Read: Supercharge Your Salon Revenue in 2025: The Secret to Boosting Earnings by 30% with Existing Clients

Key Takeaways

Let’s sum up:

Embracing barbershop software and a salon management system is a must if you want to stay ahead.

The right solutions , like MioSalon’s barber software, help to automate staff rotas, payroll, appointments, and marketing.

Cloud-based management, loyalty integration, and digital queue systems put you miles ahead of the competition.

Go digital, future-proof your barbershop, and watch your business and team soar.

FAQ’s

Q: Which barbershop management software is best for South African barbershops?A: MioSalon is a proven choice for staff management, bookings, loyalty, and more—all tailored for SA businesses.

Q: How does a barbers booking system help retain clients? A: Easy, mobile booking and timely reminders mean more repeat clients and fewer no-shows.

Q: Can I manage payroll and staff shifts with salon software for staff management? A: Yep! Payroll automation saves you hours, so staff are paid right and on time.

Q: Is investing in a barber shop pos worthwhile for small shops? A: Definitely! It automatically tracks every rand, no mistakes or cash shortages.

Q: How do I transition from manual to automated barber scheduling software? A: Bring in your schedules and client list, set up with MioSalon support, and go step by step. Staff will thank you!

Q: What features should I prioritize in a barber booking system?A: 24/7 booking, auto-reminders, loyalty, and cloud-based management. The more, the better for growth.

Next Steps: Grow Your Barbershop with Confidence

Time to make your next move. South Africa’s best barbers are already switching to barbershop software, robust salon management system tools, and smart barber shop pos equipment. Don’t get left behind.

Ready to shine? Book a Free Demo with MioSalon, a complete barbershop management software packed with payroll automation, staff rota tools, cloud-based control, and much more. View our Pricing Plans to see how easy it is to save time, earn more, and finally focus on what you love: great service and epic styles.

[bhagyashri123]

Live Tracking, Real-Time Orders: What Today’s Sales Managers Need

In today’s hyper-competitive sales environment, staying ahead means having complete visibility over your field force and the agility to respond to orders the moment they happen. Gone are the days when sales managers could afford to wait until the end of the day to know how many orders were booked or where their sales team was working.

Real-time insights are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity.

Why Sales Management Needs a Tech Upgrade

Sales managers today face intense pressure to:

Achieve aggressive targets

Ensure optimal field team productivity

Maintain transparency in reporting

Improve order-to-dispatch turnaround time

Enhance customer experience

And all of this needs to be done without increasing headcount or creating bottlenecks.

That’s where Sales Force Automation (SFA) Software with Live Tracking and Real-Time Order Management comes in.

Live Tracking: See Your Team in Action

Live tracking transforms the way sales managers monitor field operations:

 Benefits:

Know who is where: Get a map view of your team’s live locations and routes.

Validate client visits: Ensure field executives are visiting outlets as per the planned beat.

Measure productivity: Track number of visits, time spent per outlet, and travel time.

Reduce false reporting: GPS and check-in data eliminate manual errors and fake entries.

Imagine being able to see which territories are being covered, how frequently outlets are being visited, and which employees are underperforming—all in real-time.

 Real-Time Order Management: Say Goodbye to Delays

Real-time secondary order capture means the moment a salesperson books an order at a retailer, the data is instantly available to the back office. No more waiting till end-of-day reports or reconciling WhatsApp orders.

 Benefits:

Instant data sync between field app and central system

Faster order processing and dispatch

Visibility into daily sales trends

Scheme and discount automation

Real-time stock checks and credit limit validation

For businesses relying on secondary distribution, this is game-changing. You can plan production, dispatch, and stock replenishment faster and more accurately.

Real-Time Dashboards: From Information to Insight

Combining live tracking and real-time orders results in one powerful tool: Live Dashboards. These dashboards help sales managers:

Track live order value by region

Compare daily performance vs. targets

Identify top performers instantly

Spot inactive beats and cold zones

View sales funnels and conversion rates

Now, decision-makers don’t need to wait for end-of-week MIS. Everything is visible live, enabling proactive leadership.

 Who Should Use This System?

Sales Managers & Zonal Heads – for daily monitoring and performance tracking

Business Owners – for visibility and accountability

Supply Chain & Dispatch Teams – for faster order fulfillment

Marketing Teams – for on-the-ground scheme validation

The Power of a Mobile App Ecosystem

Modern SFA platforms are mobile-first. That means:

Sales reps can check-in, take orders, view schemes, and update visits directly from the app

Managers can view dashboards and maps from their phone

Everything is synced to a central cloud system

No manual data entry. No end-of-day syncing. Just live, reliable data—accessible anywhere, anytime.

 Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead or Fall Behind

Sales managers who still rely on outdated tools and manual reporting are not just slowing down—they’re falling behind. In a world where customers demand faster service and competitors are getting smarter, you need tools that give you an edge.

Live Tracking gives you control. Real-Time Orders give you speed. Sales Automation gives you scale.

Upgrade your sales operations. Empower your managers. Win the market.

Need a Sales Force Automation system with Live Tracking and Real-Time Order Management? Talk to our team today and see a demo of how BETs SFA can transform your field sales operations.

To know more,

Visit Us : https://www.byteelephants.com/

[harrypotter371021]

How the Best U.S. Salons Are Picking Software That Doubles Revenue

Introduction 

Success in the U.S. salon and spa scene calls for more than creative styling or calming massages. Owners must manipulate staff, bookings, retail sales, local regulations, and ever-rising client expectations. A single loose end, double-booked chairs, missed payments, or stock shortages can erode profit and reputation fast. 

Table of Contents

What Is Salon and Spa Software and Why Is It a Business Essential Today?

The Role of Scheduling Features in Boosting Repeat Bookings

Why Organized Client Profiles Help Retain More Guests

The Benefits of Prepaid Packages, Memberships, and Service Bundles

Understanding POS and Inventory Tracking for Smarter Daily Operations

How Feedback Collection Helps Elevate Salon & Spa Reputation

Common Mistakes U.S. Owners Make When Choosing Software

Boosting Bookings with Gift Cards and Referral Features

Streamlining Front Desk Experience with Centralized Calendar Management

A Realistic Look at Software Options: Where MioSalon Fits for U.S. Salons

 Conclusion

What Is Salon and Spa Software and Why Is It a Business Essential Today? 

Salon Spa Software and Spa Management Software have evolved far beyond simple calendar tools. They now combine

Booking engines that accept appointments 24/7 on your website or social pages.

Secure Point‑of‑Sale (Spa POS) systems that handle retail, service sales, tips, discounts, and U.S. tax.

Client-profile vaults holding history, formulas, allergies, and gift-card balances.

Reporting dashboards that reveal revenue by stylist, service, or location.

Built-in compliance helpers for local labour, privacy, and sales tax rules.

In today’s on-demand culture, clients expect immediate confirmations, digital receipts, and friction-free rebooking. Without software for spa and salon operations, owners waste hours on manual scheduling, handwritten notes, and stock counts—tasks that invite errors and shrink margins. The right platform frees your team to focus on guest delight, opens doors to online reviews, and enables data-driven decisions that keep you ahead of local competitors.

The Role of Scheduling Features in Boosting Repeat Bookings

Reliable scheduling sits at the heart of spa booking software and salon appointment scheduling software. Key benefits include

Real‑time availability: Clients see only open slots, eliminating back-and-forth calls.

Automated confirmations and reminders: Reduce no-shows, free up staff time, and keep chairs occupied.

Wait‑list management: Fill cancellations fast with eager clients, raising daily revenue.

Stylist‑service mapping: Ensure only certified pros appear for chemical peels or color corrections.

When guests experience smooth booking and zero confusion at check‑in, they’re more likely to rebook on the spot—often aided by a gentle prompt the software can schedule during checkout. Owners who optimize schedules regularly report higher utilization, steady cash flow, and happier teams.

Also Read: 2025’s Best Salon and Spa Software for Growth and Efficiency 

Why Organized Client Profiles Help Retain More Guests 

Salon Management Software does not simply store names and phone numbers. Robust client modules capture:

Service history and retail purchases

Preferred products and scent sensitivities

Before‑and‑after photos to guide future services

Loyalty points earned through each visit

When stylists greet guests with knowledge of past preferences, trust grows. Personalized upsells like a keratin add‑on or aromatherapy upgrade feel thoughtful rather than pushy. Equally, unified profiles speed front‑desk tasks and keep errors (wrong color formula, missed membership perks) from creeping in. Retention rates climb because guests feel recognized, valued, and well served every time.

The Benefits of Prepaid Packages, Memberships, and Service Bundles 

Packages and memberships turn occasional visitors into predictable revenue. The best salon booking software lets you:

Sell bundles of facials at a slight discount and track redemptions automatically.

Offer monthly blow‑dry or massage memberships with auto‑billing.

Combine services and products (e.g., mani‑pedi plus take‑home scrub) under one price.

Such options lock in future appointments, smooth cash flow across slow months, and build loyalty. They also simplify marketing: targeted emails to “facial package” clients, for instance, need only one click to rebook their next visit.

Understanding POS and Inventory Tracking for Smarter Daily Operations

Integrating your Spa POS with stock management cuts shrinkage and headache. Look for features like

Barcode scanning for quick checkout and accurate quantity counts.

Automatic reorder triggers when stock falls below a chosen level.

Real‑time cost‑of‑goods reports that highlight best‑selling brands.

Tip and commission tracking that meets U.S. wage and tax guidelines.

Accurate inventory prevents awkward “out of stock” moments that drive clients to other salons. Simultaneously, precise sales data informs smarter retail displays and seasonal promos.

How Feedback Collection Helps Elevate Salon & Spa Reputation 

Positive reviews fuel search ranking and first‑time bookings. The best salon and spa software gathers feedback effortlessly by:

Emailing or texting a survey link moments after checkout.

Flagging unhappy responses internally for quick recovery calls.

Encouraging satisfied clients to post public ratings on well‑known platforms.

Consistent feedback loops show you which services shine, which need training, and where new add‑ons could thrive fueling a continuous improvement cycle that resonates in a competitive U.S. market.

Common Mistakes U.S. Owners Make When Choosing Software

Even experienced owners sometimes:

Skip feature priority lists and end up paying for tools they will never use.

Ignore hidden fees (setup, upgrades, add‑on modules).

Assume every platform handles U.S. tax the same way—some do not.

Overlook data‑migration support, trapping years of history in old systems.

Neglect staff training needs, delaying adoption and ROI.

Avoid these pitfalls by testing demos with real data, comparing service terms carefully, and planning an onboarding calendar that involves key team members.

Boosting Bookings with Gift Cards and Referral Features 

Gift cards remain a major revenue driver, especially around U.S. holidays. Look for spa appointment software that lets you:

Sell digital or physical cards in custom amounts.

Track balances automatically at checkout.

Send low‑balance reminders that nudge return visits.

Referral rewards multiply this effect: Offer existing clients points or discounts when their friends book. A referral‑tracking module counts credits instantly, easing front‑desk workload and sparking word‑of‑mouth growth.

Streamlining Front Desk Experience with Centralized Calendar Management 

Front desks juggle calls, walk‑ins, and staff queries nonstop. Scheduling software for salons with a universal calendar:

Shows all locations or rooms at a glance—ideal for multi‑chair or multi‑room businesses.

Allows color‑coding by service type (hair, nails, skin), making clashes obvious.

Supports quick drag‑and‑drop rescheduling when a client runs late.

Updates staff rosters so stylists always know where to be.

Less chaos means faster check‑ins, happier teams, and fewer lost appointments.

A Realistic Look at Software Options: Where MioSalon Fits for U.S. Salons 

The U.S. market offers dozens of platforms claiming to be the best salon software or best spa software. Each differs on pricing, support hours, and feature depth. When assessing any provider, scrutinize:

Core scheduling and POS reliability

U.S. tax rules and local compliance tools

Data‑migration help and ongoing support

Transparent pricing with no surprise add‑ons

Use trial periods to test workflows, run fake transactions, and measure speed. Choose the product that aligns with your size, budget, and growth roadmap—whether that ends up being a new entrant or an established name. Keep your decision objective, checklist‑driven, and focused on long‑term gains.

Conclusion 

Choosing the right salon spa software is a strategic move that shapes daily flow, guest satisfaction, and profit for years. By focusing on must‑have features—scheduling, POS, client care, stock control, feedback, and referral tools—you can replace guesswork with simple, data‑backed decisions. Avoiding common purchase mistakes and prioritizing clear onboarding ensure your team embraces change quickly.

Whether you run a boutique facial studio or a multi‑chair beauty hub, the platform you select should fit your size, meet U.S. compliance, and grow alongside new service trends. Take time to test, compare, and question each option against the needs outlined in this guide. 

Book a Free Demo, With the correct solution in place, you can enjoy smoother operations, steadier bookings, and more time to focus on what matters most delivering unforgettable experiences to every client who walks through your doors.

To learn more about the pricing plan, visit the Pricing Page.

FAQs 

1. What features should U.S. salon and spa owners look for in business software? Seek strong scheduling, Spa POS, client profiles, inventory tracking, marketing tools (email/SMS), and real‑time reporting. Verify U.S. tax handling and secure payment processing.

2. How can salon software help reduce no‑shows and increase revenue? Automated reminders, deposit requirements, and easy rescheduling lower missed visits. Wait‑lists and prepaid packages fill gaps, while clear data reveals top‑earning services to promote.

3. What is the best way to manage appointments for a busy U.S. salon? Use centralized calendars with color codes, staff‑service mapping, and online booking links. Sync updates instantly across all front‑desk screens to avoid double‑booking.

4. How does software help salons manage gift cards and promotions? It tracks balances, expiry dates, and redeemers in one place. Built‑in promo engines apply discounts automatically at checkout, ensuring accuracy and speeding service.

5. Are there salon and spa software options suited for U.S. compliance and taxes? Yes. Review providers that offer adjustable state tax rates, tip reporting, and end‑of‑year export files. Always confirm features match local regulations before signing up.

[goaweb]

Advantages of E-commerce Website

What are e-commerce websites?

Ecommerce websites are an online platform that allows customers to buy and sell physical goods, services and digital products rather than at a physical location. Having an online store, your business can process orders, accept payments, ship products and manage logistics. It’s no secret that e-commerce is the future – but it’s becoming more apparent at this moment than ever before. The COVID-19 pandemic rendered the outside world into more uncertain, social distancing and caution.

What are the benefits of an E-commerce website?

Lower Startup and Operating Costs Online selling offers a number of tangible benefits, including lower costs for everything from launching your e-commerce site to maintaining it. Creating an Internet store usually involves costing a few hundred dollars for domain and hosting, website design, logo design, and relatively low signup fees.

Since you don’t need a physical location, you’ll save on rent and utilities because the checkout and payment options are automated. You can even avoid the upfront investment of stocking up on products if you run a drop shipping business.

Go Global A global marketplace can be opened up for your business; it doesn’t matter where you are. By operating globally, you can reach and engage a much wider audience. Growing your customer base, running your business from anywhere in the world, growing your brand, and seeing profits well before local competitors is possible.

No Time Restrictions Your website won’t have any time restrictions, in contrast to physical stores, which typically have set operating hours. You can keep the sales system running 24/7. Therefore, as an e-Commerce company, you can increase sales and profits as access to your goods and services is no longer constrained by store hours.

Rise in visitors A physical retail store would need to continue its marketing efforts to attract more customers and ensure that the location is in a busy area to draw more walk-in customers. However, an e-commerce site gives you access to a ton of potential search engine traffic. Best SEO practices for e-commerce websites will ensure that your online store appears among the top results in SERPs. As a result, you should concentrate more on transactional keywords that will increase sales and make sure that all of your product content, including product descriptions are optimized and unique.

Focus on Niche products It can be challenging for buyers and sellers of niche products to find one another in the real world. It is practically impossible to find a specific item without visiting multiple stores. However, finding your e-Commerce store online doesn’t take long. When people enter a specific keyword into a search engine, e-commerce websites, including yours, will appear. An e-commerce website presents a unique opportunity to focus on a niche market. This is because the Internet has made it easy to find very specific products and services.

Customer Data Compared to physical retailers, consumers are more likely to share their email addresses, phone numbers, and other personal information with an e-commerce website. By using this data, you can get in touch with your customers, improve their shopping experience, retarget customers with shopping ads, and recommend personalized products.

Brand Awareness The best digital marketing tool you will ever own is an e-commerce website that tells your brand’s story, builds your reputation, and increases your brand awareness. Most people use the Internet to read reviews and research products before making a purchase. Word-of-mouth marketing on a digital level.

Understanding Business Trends The final step in improving your business’ performance and results is to discuss analytics and insightful metrics. Learn about your best-selling products, your customers’ buying habits, revenue by traffic source, and much more about your website’s performance.

[aidc-india]

Understanding Barcode Definitions: A Quick Guide 2025

1. What Is a Barcode? Simple Barcode Definitions Explained

In 2025, barcodes continue to play a vital role in modern business operations. To begin, let’s explore the Barcode Definitions in the simplest terms. A barcode is a visual representation of data using parallel lines (in 1D barcodes) or squares and patterns (in 2D barcodes like QR codes). This code is scanned using machines to retrieve the encoded information instantly.

The purpose of Barcode Definitions is to explain what barcodes are and how they enable businesses to streamline tracking, inventory, and point-of-sale systems. Barcodes are now used in retail, healthcare, logistics, catering, and countless other sectors.

2. How Barcodes Work: A Quick Technical Breakdown

Understanding how barcodes function helps bring clarity to Barcode Definitions. Each barcode is designed to hold specific data such as a product ID, location, batch number, or price. A scanner uses light sensors to read the code and instantly translate it into readable data for a computer system.

The scanner decodes the reflected light from the barcode and converts it into digital signals. These signals are matched with backend systems to identify the item or data linked to the code. This makes barcodes a fast and efficient solution for real-time tracking and management.

3. Common Types of Barcodes Used in 2025

When looking at Barcode Definitions, it’s important to know the various types available today:

1D Barcodes (like UPC or EAN): These are linear and used mainly in retail.

2D Barcodes (like QR Codes and Data Matrix): These carry more data in less space.

PDF417: Used in official documents like driving licenses or airline boarding passes.

GS1 Barcodes: Global standards for supply chains and retail.

Each of these fits under the umbrella of modern Barcode Definitions and helps businesses choose the best format for their needs.

4. Importance of Barcodes in Retail, Logistics, and Healthcare

Barcodes play a huge role in various industries. The Barcode Definitions used in retail involve product labeling, price management, and automated checkout systems. In logistics, barcodes help in tracking goods from warehouse to delivery. In healthcare, patient IDs, medication labels, and equipment tags rely on barcodes for accuracy and safety.

These definitions reflect the growing demand for error-free, data-driven systems that barcodes continue to fulfill in 2025.

5. Barcode Definitions in Inventory Management Systems

One of the key applications of Barcode Definitions is in inventory control. Businesses use barcodes to keep accurate track of stock levels, shipments, and usage trends. Barcode systems eliminate manual entry and reduce errors significantly.

For example, catering businesses like Jaffer Bhai’s use barcodes to track ingredient usage, kitchen supplies, and packaging materials. Each item can be tagged, scanned, and updated in real-time, helping with order accuracy and planning.

6. Advantages of Using Barcodes in Modern Business Operations

There are many advantages associated with Barcode Definitions in daily business use:

Speed: Scan hundreds of items in minutes.

Accuracy: Reduce human errors in data entry.

Cost-effective: Affordable to print and implement.

Scalability: Suitable for businesses of all sizes.

These benefits show why Barcode Definitions are essential for businesses that value efficiency and precision in 2025.

7. Barcode vs QR Code: What's the Difference in 2025?

Many people confuse barcodes with QR codes, so understanding their differences is part of clear Barcode Definitions. A barcode (1D) holds limited information and requires line-of-sight scanning. A QR code (2D) can hold more data and can be scanned from any angle, even with mobile phones.

In catering, barcodes might be used to label utensils, while QR codes can direct customers to digital menus or feedback forms. Knowing when to use each format helps businesses make the most of their barcoding systems.

8. Smart Packaging and Barcode Innovation Trends for 2025

Barcode Definitions have evolved with the rise of smart packaging. In 2025, businesses use barcodes combined with cloud systems and mobile apps to manage inventory automatically. Products can be tracked from production to customer delivery using advanced barcode systems.

Smart labels also include features like temperature tracking, expiry alerts, and tamper evidence, making barcode solutions smarter and more secure than ever.

9. How to Implement a Barcode System for Your Business

Implementing barcode systems starts with understanding Barcode Definitions and identifying your tracking needs. Here are basic steps:

Choose the right barcode type for your industry.

Invest in barcode software and printers.

Label all inventory or equipment clearly.

Train staff on how to scan and manage barcoded items.

Connect scanning data to your inventory or POS software.

Once set up, barcodes will begin improving accuracy and accountability immediately.

10. The Future of Barcode Technology: What's Next Beyond 2025?

The Barcode Definitions of the future include integration with AI, IoT (Internet of Things), and blockchain. These technologies will help verify the origin of goods, automate reordering, and improve transparency in the supply chain.

Barcodes will also evolve in design, using invisible ink or nano printing for added security. Mobile apps will continue making barcode scanning easier for businesses and consumers alike.

Call to Action:

Want to implement barcode tracking in your business? Contact AIDC Technologies India today to discover cutting-edge solutions built on reliable Barcode Definitions and smart automation.

[bscoachingcentre]

Top Computer Coaching in Nangloi for Basic to Advanced Courses

1. A Friendly Greeting from Your Future Trainers

Welcome to BS Coaching Centre—where Computer Coaching in Nangloi feels less like a lecture hall and more like a creative studio. We’re the people who hand you the keyboard, guide your first lines of code, and cheer when you finally get that “Hello, World!” to display without an error.

2. Why We Insist on Real‑World Learning

Most institutes walk you through bullet‑point slides; we walk you through actual business scenarios. Picture this: you’ve just finished a module on spreadsheets, and we throw you a mock retail dataset to crunch. By the end of the week, your dashboard reveals which product line deserves the next marketing push. That’s Computer Coaching in Nangloi that matters.

3. From Mouse Basics to Machine Learning

Our curriculum stretches from foundational keyboard shortcuts to advanced Python automation. Beginners start with digital literacy—file management, online safety, typing speed drills—while ambitious coders dive into data science projects that predict stock trends. This breadth is exactly why professionals and school‑leavers alike choose our Computer Coaching in Nangloi every term.

4. Learning by Building, Not Just Watching

Watching a PowerPoint on HTML is like learning cycling from a podcast—you never feel the balance. So we bundle every theory chunk with a mini‑project: design a responsive portfolio site, automate an invoice in Excel VBA, or spin up a Flask API on Heroku. Employers spot the difference instantly, and that’s another win for our Computer Institute in Nangloi approach.

5. Timetables That Bend Around Your Life

Weekday mornings, late‑evening slots, weekend marathons—pick what suits your schedule. We also run hybrid batches, letting you attend big‑concept lectures online and drop into the lab for hands‑on mentoring. Flexible doesn’t mean flimsy; every batch follows the same rigorous roadmap that makes our Computer Coaching in Nangloi the neighbourhood benchmark.

6. Mentors Who Code, Consult, and Care

Our instructors spend half their week in industry gigs—deploying cloud stacks, securing databases, optimising front‑end performance—then bring those war stories straight to class. That mix of professional chops and teacher patience defines Computer Coaching in Nangloi at BS Coaching Centre and keeps alumni coming back for upskilling sessions.

7. Ready to Get Started?

Hit the “Apply” button on our website, pop in for a free counselling session, or just walk through our doors to witness laptops humming, whiteboards buzzing, and students solving real client briefs. Within minutes you’ll feel why employers scout talent directly from our Computer Coaching in Nangloi batches.

8. Your Future, Our Commitment

Tech will only get faster; your skill set should too. Let BS Coaching Centre be the launchpad that turns curiosity into competence. When you graduate from our Computer Coaching in Nangloi, you won’t just hold a certificate—you’ll hold proof that you can think, build, and adapt in any digital arena.

A Last Word Before You Log Off

Whether you dream of cracking government IT exams or creating the next viral app, Computer Coaching in Nangloi at BS Coaching Centre is engineered to make that leap possible. Come code with us, grow with us, and let’s turn challenges into checkmarks on your résumé.

Get For More Information:

Name : BS Coaching Centre

Phone No.: 9910920358

Address: 1st Floor, Plot number 2, Rohtak Rd, Ashok Mohalla, Nangloi Jat, Nangloi, Delhi, 110041

Direction: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8gNuao7r6jXMp3FdA

Website: https://bscoachingcentre.com

[b2bdistributionsoftware]

Why B2B E-Commerce Platform: Essential for Athleisure Wear Industry

The athleisure wear industry continues to thrive, blending performance, comfort, and fashion in a way that appeals to both consumers and retailers. As this global market expands rapidly, wholesalers and manufacturers face increasing pressure to streamline their operations and connect more efficiently with retail partners. This is where a B2B wholesale e-commerce platform for the athleisure wear industry becomes essential.

If you're a brand or wholesaler looking to improve your order management, simplify distribution, and scale efficiently, Brandscope provides the perfect solution. As a trusted online wholesaling platform for global and local fashion brands, Brandscope offers an intuitive, intelligent, and easy-to-use B2B ordering system that takes wholesaling to the next level.

The Rise of Athleisure: A High-Growth Market

Athleisure is no longer just a trend—it’s a lifestyle. As more consumers prioritise health, comfort, and casual workwear, the demand for versatile athletic wear has surged. Brands in this sector must now deal with:

A growing number of SKUs across seasons and collections

Multiple retail channels (boutiques, online stores, chains)

Fast-moving inventory and tight distribution windows

Retailers demanding digital convenience

To meet these demands, brands need a digital-first, scalable infrastructure. That’s where a B2B wholesale e-commerce platform for the athleisure wear industry becomes a game-changer.

Why Traditional Wholesale Methods Are No Longer Enough

Traditional wholesale methods—like printed catalogues, email orders, spreadsheets, and phone calls—are inefficient in today’s fast-paced, data-driven environment. These outdated systems often result in:

Miscommunication between brand and retailer

Delayed order processing and fulfilment

Inventory mismanagement

Limited data insights and forecasting ability

For athleisure wear brands juggling large product ranges, seasonal drops, and trend-driven designs, this kind of disorganisation can result in missed sales opportunities and decreased customer satisfaction.

Enter Brandscope: The Smart Wholesale Solution

Brandscope is a leading B2B wholesale e-commerce platform that empowers athleisure wear brands to modernise their wholesale operations. With a simple, user-friendly interface and powerful backend capabilities, Brandscope streamlines everything from product display to order processing, making selling and buying easy for wholesalers and retailers alike.

Key Benefits for the Athleisure Industry:

1. Centralised Product Management

Upload and showcase your collections with rich imagery, specifications, and stock availability in one location.

2. Real-Time Ordering

Retailers can log in 24/7, browse the latest styles, and place orders at their convenience—improving turnaround time and customer satisfaction.

3. Inventory Sync

Keep your available stock accurate and updated in real-time, avoiding over-selling or stockouts.

4. Custom Branding

Reflect your brand’s identity through customisable digital catalogues and branded B2B portals.

5. Analytics & Insights

Gain valuable data on what’s selling, when, and to whom. Forecast more effectively and make informed decisions.

6. Scalable & Secure

Whether you're a startup label or an established global brand, Brandscope supports growth with a secure and scalable infrastructure.

Supporting Buyers & Sellers: A Win-Win Platform

One of the standout features of Brandscope is that it isn’t just a tool for wholesalers—it’s also designed with retailers in mind. The platform helps streamline the buying process by providing:

Clean, visual navigation for browsing products

Live updates on stock and promotions

Automated order confirmations and tracking

Faster order approvals and repeat purchasing

In a competitive industry like athleisure wear, retailer experience is just as important as product quality. When retailers enjoy a seamless buying process, they're more likely to continue purchasing from your brand and promoting it to their customers.

Athleisure Brands That Want to Scale Need Smart Tech

Whether you're designing eco-conscious leggings, functional sports bras, or stylish joggers, your brand deserves a modern digital solution that helps you scale, reduce friction, and increase efficiency. A powerful B2B wholesale e-commerce platform for the athleisure wear industry like Brandscope allows you to focus on what matters: building your brand, innovating your products, and growing your retail relationships.

Take Wholesaling to the Next Level with Brandscope

At Brandscope, we’ve helped hundreds of leading global and local fashion brands transform how they do business. We make B2B wholesaling smarter, faster, and more efficient—tailored to the unique needs of the athleisure wear market.

Whether you’re launching your first collection or managing a multi-region retail network, Brandscope is here to help you take control of your sales pipeline, gain visibility, and connect with more retailers—effortlessly.

Explore Brandscope today and discover how we can help your athleisure brand thrive in a competitive market.

[b2benterprisesoftware]

Why B2B E-Commerce Platform: Essential for Athleisure Wear Industry

The athleisure wear industry continues to thrive, blending performance, comfort, and fashion in a way that appeals to both consumers and retailers. As this global market expands rapidly, wholesalers and manufacturers face increasing pressure to streamline their operations and connect more efficiently with retail partners. This is where a B2B wholesale e-commerce platform for the athleisure wear industry becomes essential.

If you're a brand or wholesaler looking to improve your order management, simplify distribution, and scale efficiently, Brandscope provides the perfect solution. As a trusted online wholesaling platform for global and local fashion brands, Brandscope offers an intuitive, intelligent, and easy-to-use B2B ordering system that takes wholesaling to the next level.

The Rise of Athleisure: A High-Growth Market

Athleisure is no longer just a trend—it’s a lifestyle. As more consumers prioritise health, comfort, and casual workwear, the demand for versatile athletic wear has surged. Brands in this sector must now deal with:

A growing number of SKUs across seasons and collections

Multiple retail channels (boutiques, online stores, chains)

Fast-moving inventory and tight distribution windows

Retailers demanding digital convenience

To meet these demands, brands need a digital-first, scalable infrastructure. That’s where a B2B wholesale e-commerce platform for the athleisure wear industry becomes a game-changer.

Why Traditional Wholesale Methods Are No Longer Enough

Traditional wholesale methods—like printed catalogues, email orders, spreadsheets, and phone calls—are inefficient in today’s fast-paced, data-driven environment. These outdated systems often result in:

Miscommunication between brand and retailer

Delayed order processing and fulfilment

Inventory mismanagement

Limited data insights and forecasting ability

For athleisure wear brands juggling large product ranges, seasonal drops, and trend-driven designs, this kind of disorganisation can result in missed sales opportunities and decreased customer satisfaction.

Enter Brandscope: The Smart Wholesale Solution

Brandscope is a leading B2B wholesale e-commerce platform that empowers athleisure wear brands to modernise their wholesale operations. With a simple, user-friendly interface and powerful backend capabilities, Brandscope streamlines everything from product display to order processing, making selling and buying easy for wholesalers and retailers alike.

Key Benefits for the Athleisure Industry:

1. Centralised Product Management

Upload and showcase your collections with rich imagery, specifications, and stock availability in one location.

2. Real-Time Ordering

Retailers can log in 24/7, browse the latest styles, and place orders at their convenience—improving turnaround time and customer satisfaction.

3. Inventory Sync

Keep your available stock accurate and updated in real-time, avoiding over-selling or stockouts.

4. Custom Branding

Reflect your brand’s identity through customisable digital catalogues and branded B2B portals.

5. Analytics & Insights

Gain valuable data on what’s selling, when, and to whom. Forecast more effectively and make informed decisions.

6. Scalable & Secure

Whether you're a startup label or an established global brand, Brandscope supports growth with a secure and scalable infrastructure.

Supporting Buyers & Sellers: A Win-Win Platform

One of the standout features of Brandscope is that it isn’t just a tool for wholesalers—it’s also designed with retailers in mind. The platform helps streamline the buying process by providing:

Clean, visual navigation for browsing products

Live updates on stock and promotions

Automated order confirmations and tracking

Faster order approvals and repeat purchasing

In a competitive industry like athleisure wear, retailer experience is just as important as product quality. When retailers enjoy a seamless buying process, they're more likely to continue purchasing from your brand and promoting it to their customers.

Athleisure Brands That Want to Scale Need Smart Tech

Whether you're designing eco-conscious leggings, functional sports bras, or stylish joggers, your brand deserves a modern digital solution that helps you scale, reduce friction, and increase efficiency. A powerful B2B wholesale e-commerce platform for the athleisure wear industry like Brandscope allows you to focus on what matters: building your brand, innovating your products, and growing your retail relationships.

Take Wholesaling to the Next Level with Brandscope

At Brandscope, we’ve helped hundreds of leading global and local fashion brands transform how they do business. We make B2B wholesaling smarter, faster, and more efficient—tailored to the unique needs of the athleisure wear market.

Whether you’re launching your first collection or managing a multi-region retail network, Brandscope is here to help you take control of your sales pipeline, gain visibility, and connect with more retailers—effortlessly.

Explore Brandscope today and discover how we can help your athleisure brand thrive in a competitive market.

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UPB Bank: Redefining the Future of Finance, One Digital Step at a Time

Once upon a time, banking meant queues, paperwork, and rigid schedules. But today, one name stands tall in the financial revolution — UPB Bank, a digital-first banking solution that’s turning the conventional banking experience into a seamless, smart, and secure ecosystem.

So, what is UPB Bank? And why is it making waves in the world of finance?

The Birth of a Digital Financial Powerhouse

UPB Bank, short for Universal Payment Bank, is not your traditional bank. It’s a modern financial institution built on the foundations of technology, transparency, and trust. Designed to meet the evolving needs of digital citizens, UPB is a bold leap into the future of banking where speed, simplicity, and security are paramount.

While traditional banks continue to digitize, UPB started digitally. There are no long lines, no unnecessary paperwork, and certainly no limited working hours. It's a bank that lives in your pocket, accessible 24/7 — whether you're at home, at work, or halfway across the globe.

The Core Philosophy: Empowering the User

What sets UPB Bank apart isn’t just its digital architecture. It’s the user-centric philosophy. At UPB, the customer isn’t just a number — they are a stakeholder in innovation. From real-time payment systems to seamless integration with cryptocurrency wallets, UPB is geared toward giving users more control, more options, and more security.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Instant Account Opening: No forms, no delays — just sign up through the app and start banking.

AI-Powered Insights: Get personalized financial advice, alerts on spending patterns, and investment suggestions.

Crypto-Compatible: UPB Bank embraces the future by integrating Crypto UPI solutions, allowing users to transact using cryptocurrencies just like fiat.

24/7 Support: Have a query at midnight? No problem. UPB’s virtual assistance is available round the clock.

Tech at Its Core, Humanity in Its Vision

UPB Bank runs on cutting-edge technology — but it’s designed with human convenience in mind. Using blockchain for security, artificial intelligence for insights, and biometric authentication for access, UPB ensures that each transaction is fast, transparent, and tamper-proof.

But what’s even more impressive is how UPB uses this technology ethically. The bank is deeply committed to privacy, data security, and compliance with financial regulations, ensuring users get the benefits of innovation without compromising on safety.

Beyond Banking: A Lifestyle Partner

Where UPB truly shines is in its understanding that modern finance isn't just about storing money — it's about empowering lifestyles.

Want to invest in stocks or crypto? UPB has you covered.

Need to send money internationally? It’s just a tap away.

Want to manage bills, recharge your phone, or even donate to a cause? UPB makes it easy.

It's no longer just a "bank" — it's your financial dashboard for life.

The Road Ahead

UPB Bank isn’t slowing down. With plans to expand into global markets, integrate more cryptocurrencies, and introduce AI-driven investment tools, the future looks promising. The bank is also exploring the use of decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and smart contracts to automate more financial functions for users.

In a world where financial freedom is becoming synonymous with digital access, UPB Bank is leading the charge. It’s not just about managing money anymore — it’s about enabling dreams, securely and smartly.

Conclusion: Is UPB Bank Right for You?

If you value speed, security, and seamless control over your money, then yes — UPB Bank could be your ideal partner. Whether you're a student managing your first income, a business owner streamlining payments, or a crypto investor looking for integration, UPB offers a platform that grows with you.

Welcome to the new era of finance. Welcome to UPB Bank.