The purpose of the performance appraisal system is to ensure that every employee gets their due when it comes to being rewarded for their efforts and good performance. In the absence of a systematic performance appraisal system, there would be a lot of chaos and confusion regarding the appraisal given to the employees. This would in turn adversely affect the employee morale of the organisation.

98% businesses believe performance assessment is important, only 64% say they have an effective approach to it. -Forbes

With the advent of automated HR software like digital HRMS, wallet HRMS, beehive HRMS and the likes, Enterprises across the globe are investing in software to automate every HR process, including the performance appraisal system. With automation introduced, there have been several positive changes, with the entire process becoming easier and error free.

However, in order to understand the role played by performance appraisal system, one must be aware of the components.

1] More Power to The Employee

More power to the employee implies that the employees have the power to apply for appraisal through a simple and transparent process. Digital HRMS, for example, allows the employees to fill the appraisal forms based on certain criteria and then submit the forms for further approval.

2] Correct Set of Parameters

Appraisals can be successful only if there are the right set of parameters in the picture. Hence, the most important step in performance appraisal is defining the parameters that would be used to define the performance employee. Goal setting, employee ratings, progress tracking, etc., are all part of this step.

3] 360 Degree Appraisal Method

The 360 degree appraisal method is a method of performance assessment that involves taking feedback on the employees performance, not just from the reporting managers alone, but also from different stakeholders who have interacted or worked with the employee over the particular time period. The biggest advantage of this approach is that it often brings unbiased viewpoint about the employees performance and general behaviour in the office.

4] Motivation with Rewards and recognitions

It’s normal human psychology to be motivated with awards and recognitions, irrespective of the age. Employees all human beings after all and they are motivated by awards and recognitions, which help them find a good reason to give their best and achieve the best in life.

5] Planning to Boost Performance

Continuous improvement is the biggest motivator in life and this holds true for employees working in the modern corporate sector as well. The purpose of performance appraisal system should not just be assessing the performance, but also the focusing on ways to bring improvement in the employee in different aspects. Easiest way to achieve this is to conduct skill-based training programmes that can help the employees acquire the knowledge or skill they need in order to become successful.

The performance appraisal system does have a great role to play in the modern corporate world. If implemented correctly, it can go a long way in boosting employee morale and keeping the employees motivated to achieve more and to give the best in their day to day tasks.

The world of software development and software testing has changed a lot in the last decade or so. One of the major changes has been the significant increase in the number of devices the people are using today. Gone are the days when people used to be happy with the desktop computer running the Windows operating system. Today, the scenario is entirely different because there are a plethora of devices, right from laptops, mobiles, tablets, desktops, and so on. What makes it all the more complex is that these devices have a huge range of screen sizes, and they run on different versions of the operating systems that we have today.

This has made the task of the QA professional more Complex than ever, when it comes to testing a software or an app. The solution lies in a test automation tool that supports testing across multiple Browsers and platforms. What we refer to as cross platform testing tool and a few examples are QARA Enterprise, Ranorex, TestStudio and so on.

Top 5 cross platform testing tools

Given below are the top 5 testing tools that support seamless testing across multiple Browsers and platforms.

1] QARA Enterprise

QARA Enterprise is an advanced cross platform testing tool that comes with multiple features for every requirement of a QA project. This tool is designed to check the responsiveness of the application across a wide range of devices and platforms.

Learn more:www.qaratest.com

2] Ranorex

Ranorex studio is an Automation Testing tool primarily used for GUI testing. It’s a cross platform testing tool that supports mobile, web as well as desktop applications. It supports testing on all major platforms.

Learn more:www.ranorex.com

3] TestStudio

TestStudio is a cross platform testing tool that supports testing of web, desktop and mobile applications seamlessly. It’s a tool that performs all the major types of testing, including performance testing and load testing, to ensure the application is compatible with all devices.

Learn more:www.teststudio.com

4] LambdaTest

This one is a free cross platform testing tool that supports all major Browsers and platforms that exist today. The software allows QA professionals to capture and share screenshots with their team members, which makes it easy to collaborate on the QA job.

Learn more:www.lambdatest.com

5] Testize

This is another cross-platform testing tool that supports multiple Browsers and platforms for seamless testing of an application’s performance across the many devices that exist today. It allows QA professionals to visualise the UI application on multiple devices.

Learn more:www.testize.com

Tips to choose the right cross platform testing tool

One should look for all the options available before they choose one. Every tool is different and what’s the right told depends on the specific requirements of a project.

One should research well to gather as much information as possible about a tool, including reviews of people who have already used the tool.

One should consider the specific requirements of the QA project and then shortlist a few tools that meet the requirements.

Once the shortlisted tools are in place, it’s key to prepare a comparison matrix of all the cross platform testing tools in order to compare their features and functionalities with one another.

Before choosing that one tool, it’s recommended that at least two tools are tried and tested in order to find out which one is the better choice for the requirements of the project.

In this era of the Internet, businesses are looking for effective ways to promote their products, services and their brand online. Web apps have come up as one of the most powerful tools for business promotion and many other applications. Selling products and services online, establishing contacts with local and global clients, advertising the business or providing customer support! A web app plays a significant role here and contributes to business growth in several ways. It also contributes to targeting the potential audience, converting them to customers and reach existing customers quickly and easily.

What is a web app for business?

Web apps are software programs that uses web technology and web browsers to perform tasks on the internet. These programs are stored on a server. They run on the internet with the use of browsers like Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc. Web app development for these software programs are done with the use of technologies like Java, HTML, CSS, Rails, Grails, PHP, Dot Net, etc.

The web apps are developed for various purposes by individuals or by industries depending on their requirements. Common examples of web applications are promotional websites for the companies, online forms, email programs, e-commerce shops, Google docs, etc.

Here are a few tasks that can be performed using web applications:

Provide information about products and services
Collecting and analysing important business data
Publishing different types of news
Educating the workforce of an organization and providing them tasks
Online sharing of calendars and artifacts
Why Web Apps are necessary for Businesses today?

Branding and Advertising:

Without a web app, it is quite difficult to grow and succeed in the market. Web apps can help businesses to reach their potential customers across the globe and advertise their products and services. It is possible to communicate effectively with the customers through a web app which makes branding and advertising easier. This leads to brand recognition and also helps in generating leads.

Competitive edge

In this era of digitalization, having a web app for your business provides a competitive advantage over your peers. It builds trust and credibility amongst your customers and also the target audience.

Ease in expansion

Businesses keep enhancing their services, increasing their products and bringing-in interesting deals and offers. In web apps, it is quite easier to update this information and expand the business. Web apps are easily scalable as one needs to simply upgrade the infrastructure to accommodate the growing needs.

Flexibility and convenience of access:

Today, the customers browse on various devices like smartphones, laptops, desktops, etc. for any information. They are not limited to using a single medium. A web app is responsive and offers a smooth and seamless experience to users, irrespective of the device. Usually, the traditional software apps are built for particular operating systems; but, this is not the case in web apps. Web apps are developed to be accessed from different operating systems like Windows, Mac, etc.

Business utility and usability:

User-experience is the most important factor in a business transaction. It determines the success of the business. Navigating through the web apps is much easier and they are quite user-friendly. Also, a web app is available 24/7 to its users. They are always up-to-date. The latest information can be accessed easily by the users.

While using a mobile app, users need to download an app from the play stores. On the other hand, the users can directly jump on the URL and access the web app. These don’t even block-up any space on the devices, unlike mobile apps. This is a big plus for the businesses.

Easy setup and maintenance:

Web-based applications need just a few minutes for setting up a new user. A URL, username and password and the setup is done! Also, their maintenance is quite easier. There is no need for regular updating of the apps on the users’ devices. Updating and maintenance are directly done on the server and then deployed efficiently on the user’s device.

Wrap-up:

Businesses can benefits in numerous ways from web app development. Businesses can increase their online presence and promote their products using the promotional websites. Several business activities and transactions can be accomplished using web apps. They can achieve their objectives, improve the overall performance and enhance their business profits. They lead to cost-savings as well.

So, are you ready to build a new-age web for your business? Hire talented and experiences web app developers now! Biz4Solutions is a leading web app development company based in Texas providing cutting-edge development services to diverse clients. Our team is updated with the latest technologies to deliver nothing but the best services to our clients. Contact us to know more!

WhatsApp the uncontested leader of the messaging app category. With over 1.5 billion people using WhatsApp messaging app every day, it is a smart business decision to leverage the app for customer engagement. You have to be where your customers are.

But even if you have in your plans to use WhatsApp to help in customer engagement but still not able to proceed as you are still confused about how to advance or have other questions in mind regarding WhatsApp Business API. This blog is the right place to start!

What is WhatsApp Business API?

In August 2018, Facebook launched WhatsApp Business API for medium and large enterprises. Why did Facebook decide to launch WhatsApp for Business? Because around 2017-18 All around Africa, Latin America & South East Asia, small businesses started skipping email altogether and instead started using their personal WhatsApp accounts as their primary method of communicating with customers. These businesses aren’t WhatsApp-first, they’re WhatsApp-only.

WhatsApp Business gives businesses the opportunity to interact with their customers in a private, secure environment, allowing businesses to interact with their customers in a more informal and friendlier way.

WhatsApp Business API is an application program interface. Being an API, there is no front end interface provided and no app. The idea is businesses take the WhatsApp API endpoint and integrate it into their business software and be able to interact with their customers seamlessly.

The main 3 use cases WhatsApp Business API is:

To be able to respond to customers within 24 hours
To create a business branded presence on WhatsApp
Create a Chatbot for sending out automated notifications/FAQs
Getting Started
Let us start by defining a few WhatsApp jargon like WhatsApp Business App, WhatsApp Business API, WhatsApp API Provider, etc..

WhatsApp Business App: WhatsApp Business is a free download application designed for small business owners. You can create a catalog to showcase products and services and connect easily with your customers with automation, sorting, and instant-messaging tools.

WhatsApp Business API: If the number of chats is getting overwhelming, it is time for a paid service- WhatsApp Business API. WhatsApp Business API will help small and medium-sized businesses communicate with customers around the world so that they can connect with WhatsApp in a simple, secure, and reliable way. To get WhatsApp Business API, you can contact any of the WhatsApp Business API providers like Yellow Messenger. Yellow Messenger is also a WhatsApp partner.

WhatsApp API Provider: To help you achieve your business aims, there are many official WhatsApp business API providers, who will help you out with API as well as the verification process. It takes 3-4 weeks for verification and an active WhatsApp Business API. Yellow Messenger is the official WhatsApp Business API provider as well as WhatsApp partner.

WhatsApp Business API Key: To establish your business presence on WhatsApp environment, you need an API key. Integration of the WhatsApp API in website or software helps you to get almost unlimited access to customer care or other messaging services.

WhatsApp Business API Profile: The WhatsApp Business profile allows businesses to establish a presence on WhatsApp using WhatsApp Business API. Unlike other messaging apps, the profile will not be searchable in WhatsApp itself so it is up to the business to promote their presence. The WhatsApp Business profile includes a cover photo, description, address, email, website and business hours for your WhatsApp Business account.

Official WhatsApp business account: These accounts appear with a WhatsApp verified green tick next to their name. A business account on WhatsApp can either be listed as an “Official business account” or a regular “Business account”. A business can’t request or pay to turn a “Business account” into an “Official business account”.

As of now, only certain business accounts are listed as “Official business accounts”. Listing a business as an “Official business account” is based on a variety of factors, such as whether the brand is notable or not. There is no official process for this process, but if you want to get it done, you can contact your WhatsApp Partner to help get you started.

Contact Opt-In & Verification: Before you start sending messages on WhatsApp Business API, WhatsApp needs users to give active consent. Enterprise can take user opt-in on their website during account creation for their customers, or paper form, or SMS or on Phone Calls (IVR, etc). Once a customer opts-in, you can import them to a CRM. WhatsApp Business API has a function that allows you to verify that the customer’s phone number is a valid WhatsApp account before you send a message. Template Messaging: Sending a message to your WhatsApp contact, requires an approved messaging template. WhatsApp charges per template message, with prices varying depending on the region you send these messages from and to. So what is a WhatsApp template message exactly? Template messages are strings of text, with placeholders, pre-approved by WhatsApp. Pre-approval ensures that sales-related or bulk marketing messages cannot be sent easily after 24 hours. WhatsApp Business API has 15 messages per second template messaging rate limit as an additional safeguard from sending out promotional content, so don’t think for a second that you can get away with sending promotional content on WhatsApp Business.

Applying for a WhatsApp Business API Account

To apply for a WhatsApp Business API account you need a WhatsApp Business Account, verified by WhatsApp. Let me tell you how you can apply for WhatsApp Business account and get verified from WhatsApp:

WhatsApp Business Account
A WhatsApp business account in WhatsApp Manager lets your business use the WhatsApp Business API to communicate directly with your customers. Your customers can use a WhatsApp thread to make purchases, ask about orders, or find information.

For getting the Business API, can be broken down into 3 steps:

Choose a WhatsApp Partner
Give Company Information
Activate your number

Getting the WhatsApp app is easy but the verification process might be confusing for some of us, let me break down the steps for you. The first 3 steps are for creating an account:

Sign up for Facebook Business Manager by logging into Facebook Business Manager and clicking on Business Settings
Opt for WhatsApp account in the Accounts section.
Fill in your details like Name, Time Zone, Currency you deal in, payment method, P.O number, Website URL, Industry, Use case, Operating region, Country of company headquarters, Facebook Business Manager ID, the number for verification.
Confirm your business details
You will be presented with a verification code on your business number
Enter the verification code and voila you are done

You will need to verify your legal business name by providing certain documents.

Business license and permits from local authorities, state or central government or federal government.
Certificate of formation or incorporation
Business Tax or VAT registration certificate
EIN confirmation letter from the IRS (US Only)
Official tax notices from the IRS (US Only)
Business Bank Account Statements
Business credit report from one of the reporting agencies

Document Which is not Accepted

Utility bill, like phone or electricity bill (not acceptable for the legal name; acceptable for address or phone number)
Invoices
Purchase Orders
Self-filled applications for the company
Tax Returns filed by you or your company
Personal bank statements
Website Print
Other documents like company flyers, letterheads, etc.
Similarly, you will need to provide certain verification documents for verifying your business address and Phone number.

Activating A Business Number

Once your documents are approved, it is time to add a phone number for your account. Choose the number you want carefully as you won’t be able to change it later. For existing numbers, your WhatsApp Partner may be able to port the number for you. For new numbers, some WhatsApp Partners like Yellow Messenger will be able to sell you a number.

As Yellow Messenger is an authorized partner for WhatsApp Business accounts, Schedule demo with WhatsApp automation experts to get started with WhatsApp or write to us at [email protected].