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Designing Digital Products in 2023: UX Trends in the Spotlight

Community by NASSCOM Insights recently released a guide on digital products, complete with projected trends in 2023. 

The article talks about the importance of user experience (UX) in digital product design and why creating an effective digital product design strategy is essential. Then, it lays out a design process.

Finally, it talks about digital product design trends for the year.

But, if you don’t know what digital products are, this report won’t make any sense to you. So…

What Is a Digital Product?

A digital product is an intangible item that is delivered and consumed electronically. An example of a digital product might be a music file or video, a PDF, or an ebook. It could also be an app, a software program, a template, or a plug-in.

If you have the right resources, you can create digital products on your computer. Of course, some products require more technical knowledge than others. But, yeah, they don’t need a workshop, where they are made piece by piece.

Since the product is digital, you don’t need physical inventory. And, delivery is quite literally as fast as the consumer’s download speed.

So, if you’re planning to start a business, selling digital products could be a good idea, especially if you’re looking to keep your overhead costs down. App development, for example, is a great way to get started if you have an innovative idea.

But, as I said earlier, you need to spend time on the UX of your product.

Why Is UX Important for Digital Products?

In case you were wondering why UX is so important for digital products, here are some reasons:

It Enhances Usability

Users tend to like digital products designed with UX in mind. That’s because UX enhances the… ummm…user’s experience. 

It takes into consideration how the consumer will interact with the product and removes any potential pain points. The result is a product that is a pleasure to use.

It Can Improve Engagement

A well-designed digital product can encourage users to engage and interact with it more and more. And, it can give them a push in the right direction—encouraging them to take the action you want them to take.

It Makes Your Spending More Effective

Constant improvement can help keep your product relevant and in demand. However, if you spend time—and money—at the beginning of the design process, you can ensure that your future improvements are less expensive. 

You can invest in more features instead of trying to get people to like what you’ve already created.

It Improves Conversion Rates and Retention

An important part of UX design is identifying what your customers need and want. By giving them a product designed for them, you can get them to convert quickly. More importantly, you will retain them.

It Helps Your Brand’s Reputation

So, you create products that are easy to use, efficiently designed, and meet customer requirements. That’s a good reputation to have. Keep doing that consistently and you will find people buying your products because they were built by you.

Now that you know why you need UX, here are some of the UX trends for digital product design in 2023:

UX Trends For Digital Product Design in 2023

According to the report, here are the top UX trends you need to keep in mind when designing your digital product.

UX Copywriting

Quick, snappy copy. Don’t bore users with long, wordy essays.

Inclusivity in Design

Design products so everyone can use them. Bear in mind cultural differences as well as physical disabilities.

AR/VR

It’s a lot more ubiquitous now, so use the power of augmented reality and virtual reality to make your digital product more interesting, exciting, and relevant.

3D Graphics

3D graphics give depth and detail to your product design. Make use of it—especially since modern technology can handle it without lagging or getting overloaded.

Innovative Landing Pages

Hook your audience with impressive landing pages. At the same time, remember that too much detail can be distracting. 

So, now that you know why you need UX in your digital product design, stop and plan your idea in a bit more detail. And, if you need professional help, you have companies like Luminos Software to help you.

Good luck!

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Media & Communications Technology Telecom U.K U.S

How Will Artificial Intelligence Change the Way Businesses Optimise Their Websites?

A short while ago, there was a news story about how Google was panicking about ChatGPT, OpenAI’s “chatty” chatbot. 

ChatGPT is an AI-powered tool which has access to information on the internet—all the way up till 2021.

Ask a question, get the answer.

Of course, the answer might not be completely accurate or original. It does rely on potentially old information and only what’s available online, after all.

However, what worried Google is the fact that it gives an answer and not a list of pages. A complete, coherent answer. 

The Google “Code Red”

Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, declared a “code red” over the threat. And, the company’s founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, who had not been involved in the running of the company, were now attending meetings with executives.

The goal was to push out the company’s own AI capabilities to combat the threat of the chatbot.

So, on the 7th of February 2023, Google launched Bard, an AI-powered chatbot that would compete against ChatGPT.

What’s more, Bard has a slight edge over ChatGPT. It can draw information from the internet whilst ChatGPT currently only has the information it was “fed”.

End of story, right?

Nope.

The launch of Bard (and the ever-growing popularity of ChatGPT) leads to the question: Will AI kill SEO?

AI Chatbots and Digital Marketing

Digital marketing, currently, has been focused on search engine optimisation (SEO). This term encompasses all the activities a company undertakes to make its website and web pages rank high on search engines.

Whether by oneself (with the right technical knowledge) or with the help of companies like Geeky Tech, businesses try to make their online presence attractive to both Google and users.

Businesses need to appeal to search engines because they determine if—and where—their web page shows up when users search for a relevant query. 

However, chatbots that look up questions and distil an answer from various sources might change the way people search online.

The New Way of Searching 

Instead of typing out their search queries and then looking for the answer in the hundreds and thousands of pages that show up, users would be able to use chatbots to give them the answer right off the bat, in natural language.

Suddenly, Google SERPs—Search Engine Result Pages—would no longer be relevant. 

Why go through thousands of results when someone can use AI to get a complete answer, which takes a fraction of the time? 

Google’s competitor, Bing, is already in the process of integrating ChatGPT into its search page, complete with the chat feature. So, a person can have a conversation with the bot, complete with follow-up questions. 

With these AI-powered entities answering user queries like a person would, traditional SERPs might be on their way to becoming obsolete.

So, with no more SEO, what will digital marketers do?

No, they won’t lose their jobs. They’ll simply have to move from SEO to AEO.

What Is AEO?

AEO, or Answer Engine Optimisation, is actually a part of SEO which focuses on providing answers to search queries instead of just making the page optimised for search robots.

It’s not a new concept, either. 

AEO became a part of SEO jargon when mobile voice search started gaining traction. People would verbally ask the search engine on their phones a question. And, instead of giving a written answer, which one would need to read, the helpful Google lady would read out the answer.

Since voice search was growing rapidly, and was expected to be the primary way people would search in the near future, AEO became a hot topic.

At the same time, there was also position 0 on the SERPs—the much-coveted featured snippet. Ask a question and find the answer on the search page directly, right at the top.

Trying to “win” that spot required AEO.

Again, it is still a component of SEO, but AEO has a different focus. Instead of appealing to search robots, it aims to answer questions real people are asking. 

SEO is all about taking a keyword and optimising a page for it. AEO looks at the whats and whys of the question—the search intent. Then, it tries to answer with that intent in mind, succinctly and knowledgeably.

People-Friendly Content for AEO

So, how does this come back to chatbots and search engines?

If people start using search differently, then, in order to keep up, marketers would need to make sure they are answering people’s questions. It will no longer be enough to satisfy crawlers—they would need to be people-friendly as well.

In conclusion, AI-powered chatbots will change the landscape of search and search engine optimisation. 

Categories
Computers & Software Technology U.K U.S

Review Your Cybersecurity Stack to Stop API Breaches

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Earlier this month (January 2023, if you’re reading this in the future), T-Mobile revealed that it had been hacked and had the information of 37,000,000 customers stolen. 

The company filed an 8-K form with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which is a document that companies must file if there is a development that shareholders should be aware of.

The form stated that the company had “…identified that a bad actor was obtaining data through a single Application Programming Interface (“API”) without authorization.”

Data breaches that exploit API security flaws are not new. Last year, a leading cybersecurity journal, SC Media, reported that API security incidents affected 95% of the surveyed organisations in 2021-22.

In a more recent article, the magazine discusses how re-evaluating the cybersecurity stack of the company might be essential for stopping API breaches.

If you aren’t sure what an API is, this article might be difficult to follow. So, to answer your question (and feel free to skip to the next section if you already know)…

What’s an API?

An API is a bit of software that helps two different applications “talk” to each other. APIs can be very useful in application and software development because they save you the time and effort of building a tool when something already exists. 

Simply use an API to get that tool to show up within your application and you’re done.

It’s like when you want to show your location on the map on your website. Why code your own map when you can use Google Maps and have it show up on your website using an API?

Why Are APIs Vulnerable to Attacks?

The problem is, with so many applications being built, the use of APIs has increased exponentially.

Since APIs are programs that transfer information between two entities, they are prime targets for those who want access to that information.

As a result, cyberattacks that exploit APIs are on the rise.

According to the SC Media article, the rate at which APIs are being developed makes them difficult to secure.

On top of that, most companies don’t even know how many APIs they have, let alone a complete list. So, they have no idea how many of their APIs can access sensitive information.

Finally, the biggest problem APIs are facing is attacks using bots. Malicious automation is used to find vulnerabilities in the APIs as well as to exploit these vulnerabilities to gain access.

That means bots can quickly—at a much, much faster rate than a human—get access to a company’s database and grab information that can then be used for nefarious purposes.

Now, don’t get me wrong. It’s not like developers aren’t doing anything to secure their APIs. API management best practices include a discussion about security. However, regular security tools, like WAFs and API gateways, can be inadequate for bot attacks.

Is Re-Evaluating Your Cybersecurity Stack the Answer?

In the article, SC Media cites a report by Forrester (Planning Guide 2023: Security and Risk) which says companies must evolve their defences to keep up with the evolving threats. 

That might mean reviewing your current cybersecurity stacks and removing tactics and solutions that don’t work. CISOs should also be focusing on API security and bot management in 2023, the article advises.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the bot defence should be “proactive and dynamic”. Companies should be aware of the potential vulnerabilities of their products and plan their defences accordingly, and not rely on a one-size-fits-all approach.

As the bots evolve and change their attack methods, your API security should be smart enough to block them from every direction. If it’s not, then it might be time to take a look at it with a critical eye.

Categories
Technology U.K Website & Blog

Geeky Tech, an SEO Agency for Tech Companies, Recently Made a Case for Going Niche

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Leading SEO agency for tech companies, Geeky Tech, has decided to work exclusively with tech companies. 

The business started out as a marketing agency for all. However, over the years, the decision to focus on a single industry has led to faster results for its customers.

By focusing on B2B technology clients, the agency has honed its craft and has acquired specialised industry knowledge that has translated to better outcomes for clients, the agency says.

Currently, its client list includes IT security experts, SaaS providers, MedTech companies, and software developers, among others. 

The Geeky Tech team is composed of self-professed “Geeks” who “speak tech”, the business elaborates. That has been the leading reason why the agency decided to focus on the software and technology sector.

This knowledge of all things tech is also useful when it comes to client content as well as communication, the agency claims. The team is able to speak to clients in their “language”, which also makes it easier and quicker to understand exactly what the client offers. 

Simultaneously, because clients are comfortable with technology, the agency also finds it easier to explain the technical side of SEO to them. This, according to the agency, leads to better collaboration, where Geeky Tech becomes a partner rather than a service provider.

The business is quite well-versed in the SEO requirements for B2B businesses. 

A B2B business is very different from a B2C company, the agency explains. B2C customers interact with websites differently and have a relatively shorter buying cycle. A marketing agency that works with B2B clients should be aware of this difference as this affects their marketing strategy. 

Similarly, software and technology companies within the B2B group have specialised needs as well. A strategy that works well for another sector might not work well for them, the agency states.

Since SEO is a part of any B2B digital marketing strategy, that aspect also needs to be customised to the client’s needs.

SEO, says the agency, requires competing with millions of pages for ranking. B2B clients not only have to compete against existing businesses but also any that are yet to be created. 

As a result, simply getting to the first page of Google is not enough, explains the agency. The SEO strategy needs to evolve and keep up with the current best practices.

Focusing on the B2B software and technology niche allows Geeky Tech to have a better understanding of how to plan an SEO strategy for B2B technology clients, keeping them ranking well.

Geeky Tech is a digital marketing agency that helps B2B technology companies get seen by their customers. The agency offers organic SEO and paid advertising services to clients. For more information on the business, team, and services offered, please visit https://www.geekytech.co.uk/

Categories
Computers & Software Technology U.K U.S

Luminos Software to Offer App Development Services to Start-Up Companies

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Leading app development company, Luminos Software, now offers app development to start-ups. 

The business is known for building digital products on fully flexible terms for its clients. Now, it offers a complete lifecycle app development service to visionaries who have a new idea and want to take it to market.

The services include helping clients develop their concept, designing the user journey and experience, building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), and scaling up with an off-shore development team, the business claims.

Luminos Software explains that it only hires experienced teams and talent. That is the reason why it can offer clients any tech stack they require. As such, the company offers expertise in Ruby on Rails, Python, Django, Node.js, React, React Native, Ember, and Flutter.

The company also promises unlimited scalability, which allows clients to rest assured that as their user base grows, their app will be able to handle the load.

Scalability can be very important, the business explains, as start-ups should ideally launch an MVP before they bring out the full-scale product.

That, the business claims, is its main focus for start-up clients.

An MVP is an app that has the minimum feature set required to make it viable, the company explains. Since it doesn’t have non-essential features, it’s quick and affordable to build, which allows enterprises to quickly get their apps out onto the market.

Since the MVP encapsulates the business’ core idea, it helps them identify any issues with their product and get feedback from real users. Luminos points out that it also allows them to determine if the idea is viable or not.

In short, an MVP can help clients manage their funding and budget better. By releasing a stripped-down version of their product, a company can release a low-cost version, which can be used both for marketing the product to both users and potential investors.

The funding from this version can then be used to fund further iterations of the product. In each iteration, more features can be added based on the product roadmap and the feedback received from users.

Luminos also emphasises that since an MVP is a minimalist product, clients often need help in identifying the essential feature set they would need in the first draft. They would also need to prioritise the remaining features and decide when to add them.

The Product Consulting service is designed to help in such situations, the company claims. Using its expertise and experience, Luminos provides clients with a roadmap that will maximise their investment and help them get the most out of their idea.

Luminos Software allows businesses to develop smart solutions. The company offers complete lifecycle app development, starting from developing the concept to scaling up. To learn more about what the business offers, please visit https://www.luminos.software/ 

Categories
Automotive Living Technology U.K U.S

Parking Management Software Market Size Forecast to Reach a Revenue of $8.60B in 2030

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Having innovative technologies such as payment digitalisation, enforcement processes, access control, and reporting at the core, parking management software is fast gaining currency among local authorities and private parking companies.

Global smart parking management market size was valued at $4.38B in 2022. It is forecasted to hit a staggering $8.60B, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.50% between 2022 and 2030, according to an article by Market Research Future (MRFR) published in Digital Journal.

What is a parking management system?

A parking management solution helps optimise parking spaces, better manage the influx of vehicles, and ensure the safety of both people and vehicles.  

It aids in managing vehicles efficiently by offering full control of the entire lifecycle of parking enforcement information—from issue to recovery and the stages in between.

Driving forces behind the increasing demand for parking management software

The parking management market is gaining traction as more and more companies look to optimise their parking spaces. 

In addition, the rising number of vehicles, growing global demand for smooth traffic flow, and rapid development of smart cities are the pivotal factors promoting the adoption of automated parking management solutions, particularly across some regions of the world.

According to MRFR, due to developers creating additional spaces instead of not making the most of the existing ones, many parking slots remain unutilised.

The solution: leveraging state-of-the-art parking management software.

By notifying keepers of empty parking spaces, a class-leading parking management system with improved signage and real-time parking indicators helps minimise parking space waste. The result: fortified customer experience and a substantial saving on time and fuel.

On top of that, a high-end parking management system helps differentiate between under-pricing and overpricing parking spaces, enabling improved revenue management that leads to effective resource utilisation.

An integrated, cost-effective parking management solution can often address parking requirements by 20-40%, offering many social, economic, and environmental benefits.. 

How the Covid-19 pandemic affected the global parking management software market

Along with vehicle manufacturing activities, parking management software production remained halted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Many countries enforced stringent regulations declaring lockdowns and discouraged crowding on public vehicles and in transport stations. With declining need for parking management, the growth of the parking management software market witnessed a modest decrease for a short period. 

However, with more and more countries now easing travel and quarantine restrictions, the need for parking management is getting a substantial push. As a consequence, the demand for end-to-end cloud-based parking management software, such as ZatPark, is expected to increase.

North America to reign the global market

Accounting for more than 35% of the market share, North America reigned in the parking management software market last year. 

Countries with robust economies, such as the US and Canada, are the leaders in driving the growth of the parking management system industry across the region.

That said, with the demand for parking management systems on the rise, it’s critical for businesses to ensure enhanced user experience while also saving time and money. A high-end parking management system helps streamline enforcement and management for private enforcement companies and local authorities. 

Categories
Computers & Software Society & Culture Technology U.K

How Ava Is Encouraging Young Girls into STEM Studies

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We’ve not even completed the first month of the year 2023 and we’ve been hit by tech companies laying off employees by the thousands. In the first three weeks of January, there have been 56,500 people laid off.

And, the news trickling in is that it is women and people of colour who are most affected.

This has come in spite of efforts to encourage more women to enter the world of technology. It might come as a surprise but apparently, we don’t have enough women in tech! (That was sarcasm. It’s not news at all. It’s been a fact for a while now.)

As a result, there have been several efforts to encourage more women to take on tech roles and get promoted.

Tech She Can: Encouraging Women in STEM Studies

According to a report by McKinsey, most women tend to drop out of STEM studies either during the transition from primary and secondary to university or in the transition from university to the workforce.

Therefore, most efforts focus on encouraging girls in school to take up STEM. One such effort is by a charity called Tech She Can. Among the many resources it offers, there’s one called Animated Lessons. 

These short animations discuss various technology topics and how they play a role in our lives. They encourage primary school students to think and talk about these subjects.

Some of the stories in these lessons include talking about cashless payment, drones, robotics and AI, and virtual reality.

Whilst the effort is commendable in itself, the charity recently came into the news for the latest video in the series. 

The earlier videos featured Katie (a young research scientist) and Tex (a robotic dog created by Katie). The latest video—which talks about the cloud and how it is useful for storing and accessing information— introduces a new character, Ava (Katie’s research assistant), who was the focus of this ITV News article.

Ava, the character, is being “played” (voiceover and character inspiration) by 10-year-old Ava Roberts. This young lady is a resident of Salford and has Cerebral Palsy. 

Ava was reported to have been delighted to be able to choose the name and what the character would look like.

How Ava Made Ava Come to Life

Hannah Collins is the animation and post-production producer at Bold Content—the company that created the animation—and the creator of the character. 

Ms Collins says she worked closely with Ava and her mother, Lyndsey Bennett, to ensure the character was as close to her namesake as possible. 

Making the character as similar to Ava as possible included incorporating her mannerisms, and the way she moves and speaks in the animated Ava. That included the nose tube that the girl wears, but only after it was established that she was happy for the character to be shown with it.

The idea was to ensure that Ava was completely happy with the character. And, according to the article, she was!

She is quoted as saying, “I helped choose her outfit and got to pick my favourite one the animators sent over.

“We had a showing in my class with popcorn and drinks. I loved it!”

Now, if you thought this heartwarming tale ends here, you’d be wrong.

The character design and animation were just the first part of the process. The next step was recording the voiceover. The script—written by Tech She Can and Bold Content—had to be recorded.

So, they asked The University of Salford if they could use its available recording studio. Not only did the University acquiesce but it also offered the facility free of charge.

It seems like everyone involved in this project wanted to do their part to encourage girls in STEM studies. Including Ava. Who says she wants to be a teacher and “use tech to support pupils like me.”

If that doesn’t inspire you, what will?

(The video might. You can watch it here: The Cloud)

Categories
Personal Finance Real Estate Stock Market News U.K

UK House Prices Will Continue to Plunge in 2023

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The real estate market in the UK started on a high last year, continuing a period of fast expansion that began early in the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to low-interest, “race for space” rates and stamp duty land tax cuts throughout lockdowns. 

But the mood changed drastically in the second half of 2022, making buyers reevaluate their moving plans. 

What a difference a year has made! 

According to a report published in City Monitor, UK house prices are forecasted to continue plunging this year after a record-high fall of 2.3% in November 2022. Analysts unanimously agreed that 2023 is set to face the biggest slump in property prices since the onset of the financial crisis in 2008. 

“Although a housing market downturn was widely expected by economists (including us), the monthly drop in the December survey far exceeds our and consensus’ expectation,” said Kallum Pickering, the chief UK economist at Berenberg.

Reasons behind the recent drop in house price in the UK

The increasing cost of living and the rising inflation rate looming over the UK are two key factors contributing to the rapid cooling in buyer demand and sales activities.

City Monitor marks the recent hike in mortgage rates as another leading player that caused sales to slip to a 12-year low.

The result: the UK property market is anticipated to fall staggeringly in 2023.

Research is frequently being conducted on the extent and impact of this decline in house prices. Case in point: The Nationwide Building Society projects a 5% fall in price that can be as high as 30% in the worst case scenario. Oxford Economics and Capital Economics forecast this drop to be around 12%. On the other hand, Halifax predicts a decline of 8% in house prices in 2023. 

Impact of drop in house price in the UK

The recent decline in house prices will affect people planning to relocate. The reason: sellers may not put their properties on to the market for sale, finding it less profitable.

In addition, if the current hike in interest rate shows no signs of dropping, a huge percentage of people will have to shift from fixed-rate mortgages to new higher rates. More and more property owners will end up selling their houses if they fail to afford the inflated mortgage rates.

That said, the current housing market downturn has benefits and drawbacks as well. While first-time buyers will find and purchase property at a more reasonable price, homeowners will face substantial losses or even negative equity while selling their properties.

The role of high interest rate in the house price drop

In an effort to check the current inflation, the Bank of England increased the UK base rate by 0.5 percentage points to 3.5% in December 2022—the highest in the past 14 years.

However, an increase in the interest rate doesn’t necessarily result in decreased house prices. But if the rate stays high for a long time, it can make property prices fall sharply. 

The reason: persistently high interest rate makes people less interested in borrowing which negatively impacts the property market. 

London’s luxury houses are defying UK’s home sales slowdown

Even though the UK’s property market is witnessing abrupt changes this year, it’s still not playing out in London’s luxury property market.

“In 2022, sales of £5 million plus homes, which account for just 8 percent of the prime London housing market, were 63 percent higher than their pre-pandemic average,” said Anthony Payne, managing director at LonRes. “It’s not surprising, therefore, that it tempted would-be sellers to put their homes onto the market.”

With London’s expensive and luxury homes defying the current slowdown in the UK’s property market, real estate agents are expecting a ‘burst of activity’ this year in London.

In addition, the weakness in the pound against the dollar is luring more international customers to London’s luxury properties.

For example, being superbly connected to Central London, Blackfriars and Marylebone have become two of the most sought-after places to settle down. 

In such a case, a high-end luxury real estate company can help buyers, sellers, tenants, and landlords make the most profitable deal. 

A top-tier real estate agent has extensive market knowledge, professional networks, and excellent negotiating skills. They can efficiently find the property worth selling, purchasing, or even renting for their potential clients. For example, while a real estate agent ensures efficient property valuation on behalf of a seller, they help buyers figure out the best-asking price. 

Regardless of the transaction taking place, a high-end real estate service always considers their clients’ interest and offers the best services, locations and connections when it comes to selling luxury properties in the neighbourhood areas of London.

Wrapping up

The hike in mortgage and interest rates had a knock-on effect on home sales and demand. Even worse, the UK base rate is projected to increase further and peak at 4.25% as the BoE looks to bring back down inflation. It will be the tenth time in a row for the bank to hike the interest rate since December 2022. However, as part of an effort to repair the damage, lenders have started lowering the mortgage rate even though the base rate is going up.

Categories
Home & Garden Professional Services Real Estate U.K World

Accouter Announces Residential Interior Design Services in Dubai

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Leading luxury interior design studio, Accouter, has brought its bespoke residential interior design services to clients in Dubai.

“Accouter strives to achieve the impossible, to exceed the expectations of luxury design for all those who appreciate it,” explains a spokesperson from Accouter. “We sit aside those who have created a benchmark for luxury living, including trendsetters, tastemakers, and industry leaders.”

Renowned in the luxury interior design industry for offering second-to-none design services, Accouter is committed to helping its clients bring their dream homes to life.

Accouter is a team of hand-picked interior designers, architects, and artisans who take pride in ensuring each project they take on is personable and seamless.

As part of its effort to set a higher standard in the world of interior design, the experts at Accouter are always on hand to turn exclusive spaces into exquisite residences.

Accouter’s residential interior design service in Dubai is a five-stage process that includes a) concept creation, b) interior architecture, c) interior design, d) art acquisition, and e) project management.

The experts at the studio start each project with a conversation with the client to ensure the final outcome closely meets their expectations. 

When it comes to interior architecture, the expert architects at Accouter ensure no constraints can hold their customers back. Through creative exploration, the designers can artistically manipulate an existing residence and turn it into a bespoke and timeless environment. 

Accouter’s team of global designers is always on-hand to find the right pieces for a client’s space that can uphold the uniqueness of their luxury lifestyles. 

Collaborating with its network of global artisans, the experts at Accouter curate a client’s residential space carefully to ensure their functional and stylistic needs are best met.

In addition, by working closely with international galleries, the studio’s team of art connoisseurs procures the most suitable art pieces for a client’s Dubai residence. On top of that, they offer expert recommendations on major art commissions and investments. 

Taking a fully customisable and holistic approach to project management, this multi-award-winning interior design studio allows customers to focus on the things that matter the most.

As a member of Walpole and part of the Accouter Group of Companies (ACG) designs collective, Accouter is committed to creating bespoke interiors and FF&E with sustained excellence. 

The company aims to help the British luxury industry lower its carbon footprint for a more sustainable future.

Founded in 2012, Accouter is a British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) registered interior design company and closely follows the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) stages of practice.

Interested parties can learn more about Accouter’s luxury residential interior design in Dubai by visiting https://accouterdesign.com/.

Categories
Computers & Software Technology U.K

DigitalXRAID Highlights the Benefits of a Virtual SOC in Recent Article

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Leading cyber security solutions provider, DigitalXRAID, recently released an article discussing the benefits of a Virtual Security Operations Centre (vSOC). In this article, the CREST-accredited cyber security expert discusses how a vSOC can help businesses protect themselves against cyber threats.

A Security Operations Centre (SOC) is used to “collect and collate data from across the organisation” and the information collected is used for detecting, analysing, and responding to cyberattacks and threats.

Since this is a highly technical department, building an in-house SOC is not viable for most businesses. It requires specialised tooling, technology, and security professionals, which can be expensive.

Also, in the case of specialised cybersecurity professionals, a lack of talent in this sector has led to a worldwide crisis.

These are the reasons why businesses are turning to managed SOC providers of vSOC.

However, the vSOC model can have two different meanings, which can cause confusion. The first meaning is a SOC that’s hosted in a cloud without a physical location. The second is when the service is outsourced, which has been referred to as SOC-as-a-service, but which is now also known as vSOC. 

As the name suggests, an outsourced vSOC is run entirely by a managed security service provider. However, the service acts like an extension of the client’s in-house IT team.

With an outsourced SOC, clients can take advantage of the sophisticated tooling and technology that they might not be able to afford themselves.

In short, this service provides businesses with the latest technology and talent for “24/7/365 monitoring of all network infrastructure, systems, and applications.”

DigitalXRAID then goes on to talk about the benefits offered by vSOCs. The first is that the responsibility for providing cyber security expertise falls to the experienced service provider—a significant advantage considering the lack of available cyber security talent.

The second benefit is continuous monitoring. According to the cyber security expert, cyber-attacks are a matter of “when” rather than “if” for businesses. 

For a business with no in-house SOC function, fighting back against ransomware and other attack vectors is challenging. 

The proactive protection provided by 24/7 monitoring can be especially helpful, considering more and more attacks are happening outside of working hours.

Since a SOC assures real-time breach detection, clients can expect a quicker response which enables better data protection.

At the same time, the in-house IT team can focus on tasks that help the business grow.

In addition to continuous monitoring and threat detection, a vSOC also provides the following services:

  • Proactive threat protection and incident response
  • Deep analysis of security log data
  • Identification and mitigation of the root cause of security breaches
  • Security policy and procedure implementation

DigitalXRAID provides comprehensive cyber security services, including penetration testing, cyber awareness training, and ISO 27001 certification. To learn more about its services, please visit https://www.digitalxraid.com/