Tag Archives: reports and dashboards

Is iCloud any Different than MobileMe?

iCloud Vs. MobileMe, is there any difference?

With hype surrounding cloud-based services at an all-time high, Apple has officially announced the release of the highly-anticipated iCloud. While many were thrilled to hear about the new development, Apple’s decision to shutter its MobileMe service, in favor of a more efficient and capable cloud platform, left some Mac users concerned about the future of their data and mobile services. Nevertheless, the technology company has stated that the transition should be seamless, as the new service includes many of the great benefits previously provided by MobileMe. All of which begs the question: Is Apple’s newest system any different than MobileMe?

MobileMe first became available to Mac users in January of 2000, as a subscription service that provided, among other things, an email address @mac.com. Following the release of the iPhone 3G in 2008, the service was rebranded as MobileMe, and became available to users across the operating system spectrum. One of the many features MobileMe provides includes the popular “Find My iPhone” function, that allows users to locate their mobile device via the internal GPS tracking dot. The service also offers remote storage options, and the ability to publish websites through iLife.

Apple’s announcement of its new cloud-based services means that MobileMe will be shelved, as the company’s focus shifts towards providing storage options and contact management to a larger swath of tech consumers. Though the service will no longer be available, many of the great functions MobileMe provided will be available through the new cloud platform. In fact, the new service even offers features that MobileMe users were previously unable to access.

Mail synchronisation, contact management, and Find My iPhone will all be available to MobileMe users who choose to migrate their data to the new service. Documents in the Cloud, iTunes in the Cloud, and Photo Stream are further benefits that will be available to all iCloud users. In spite of all of these great features, however, MobileMe users will lose some features previously available to them. Individuals who previously synced system preferences and applications with MobileMe will no longer be able to do so. Furthermore, iCloud does not offer an email address, nor the ability to publish web sites.

As Apple’s cloud offering gains clout in the technology world, many other companies that already provide cloud-based service have been catapulted to the spotlight. Many of these companies provide similar functionalities as those provided by Apple. Furthermore, their immediate availability is of particular interest to those who’d like to begin utilizing such services immediately.

Amazon CloudDrive vs. iCloud

One of the biggest companies to announce cloud-based services is Amazon. Better known for its massive online shopping destination, Amazon has begun expanding itself into the technology market in recent years, with such developments as the Kindle eReader. The Amazon CloudDrive is a major competitor of the Apple cloud platform, and is already available to consumers.

Just like the Apple’s new system, the Amazon CloudDrive offers 5 GB of free storage to all users, with additional storage available at the cost of $1 per GB, per year. Pricing for additional storage on the iCloud is not yet available. The iCloud offers a music-streaming application that allows users to play the audio files in their digital database, and is available on any device that supports Adobe Flash. While the Apple cloud system is available to both Mac, iOS5 and Windows users, however, functionality is limited for those using Windows.

  • Both provide 5 GB of free storage and the option to upgrade for additional storage.
  • Amazon CloudDrive is available for all devices that support Adobe Flash; iCloud offers fully functionality only for iOS 5 devices and Mac users
  • Amazon CloudDrive is managed through a browser-based protocol, whereas the iCloud syncs with applications in the background.

Google vs. iCloud

Google has also released its own offering in the world of cloud-based services. Unlike the Amazon CloudDrive and the iCloud, Google offers different storage quotas for each area of storage available. For example, users can store up to 1 GB each of Google Documents and Picasa files. 7 GB of general storage are offered free of charge, and additional storage up to 16 TB can be purchased. The Google Music Beta allows users to upload up to 20,000 songs from their personal libraries.

  • Offers 7 GB of general storage, and 1 GB each for Google Documents and Picasa files; iCloud offers 5 GB of free storage.
  • The Google cloud can be accessed by any device with a web browser; Full-functionality for the iCloud is only offered to iOS 5 and Mac users.
  • The Google Music Beta allows up to 20,000 songs to be uploaded; Apple iCloud offers immediate storage of all iTunes purchases, and the ability to match existing music in the cloud for a fee.

Dropbox vs. iCloud

Finally, Dropbox is another popular cloud service that has gained popularity in the past year. Dropbox offers a desktop client that can sync files with the server, or it can be managed through a web browser. Dropbox offers 2 GB of free storage, and also has a music player for audio files uploaded to the cloud. Further storage space can be purchased, for a fee.

  • Dropbox offers 2 GB of free storage; iCloud offers 5 GB of free storage.
  • Dropbox operates through a desktop client or a web browser; iCloud acts invisibly in the background.
  • Dropbox offers a music player for uploaded audio files; iCloud automatically syncs purchased music to the cloud.

Web users have many different storage options available to them. Whether they prefer options like Amazon CloudDrive and Dropbox that act as digital storage lockers, or are looking for a service like the iCloud that invisibly syncs content as it is created or purchased is a matter of personal preference. One thing important to remember is that it can be difficult to keep all of your files organized and keep contact management under control.

One great service that allows such management is the critically acclaimed Scrubly service. This service removes duplicate files from your many different contacts and address books, allowing freelancers to be more productive and organized. Another great feature Scrubly offers is the ability to fix formating errors in contact information.

Regardless of your specific cloud needs, the plethora of options means finding something that works for you should be a piece of cake. Armed with a contact management service like Scrubly, and a cloud service that keeps your files safe and sound, you’re ready to conquer productivity in one fell swoop. Cloud services help keep you better organized and more productive, making them a freelancer’s dream.

 

While iCloud is useful for online storage, up Next: “Microsoft’s Newest Cloud Offering, Office 365”

Small Business CRM: Zoho’s Reports & Dashboards

ZOHO’s Reports & Dashboards

zohoZoho CRM features sales, marketing, support and inventory modules that grant users easy access to report generation. Each module offers fully customizable reports and more than 25 standard reports come pre-loaded in various modules. These ready-made reports provide the user with an easy reference point for creating documents from scratch and easily modify the layout for maximum flexibility. Moreover, the flexible interface allows for easy cross-linking of modules, generate arithmetic operations, group in 3-level columns, create public and private folders, schedule reports generation and even deliver results to other users or any other recipient through email. Ultimately, businesses discover that generating and managing reports tailored to the specific needs of the organization comes with flexibility and scalability through the use of Zoho CRM.

Users also gain access to a real-time snapshot of the organization’s key metrics with the CRM Dashboard. The dashboard interface offers a graphical representation of all sales, marketing, support and inventory-related data. Through the use of graphs, analyzing trends and patterns takes just seconds, enabling users to make key decisions without wading through pages of data. CRM Dashboard generates charts in two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) formats, created dynamically and served to the user with Adobe Flash technology. Additionally, users have access to a unique Funnel chart used to intuitively analyze the sales pipeline at all stages. With CRM Dashboard, an instantaneous visual analysis of relevant business data allows any organization to easily and quickly develop key strategies for CRM improvements.

CRM Sales Reports and the CRM Dashboard work together in real-time to bring each organization both a quick overview and detailed analysis of all aspects of customer relationships. The flexibility offered means the software suitable for all applications and all organizations. Certainly, premium features such as the ability to easily view and send out information through today’s technologies, like email, makes Soho CRM an invaluable tool for any business. Try it at no cost or request a personalized demo today.

Key Features (per Zoho Online CRM Analytics)

CRM Reports

  • 40+ standard CRM reports in sales, marketing, customer support, and inventory management modules
  • Create cross-link reports spanning multiple modules
  • Create tabular, summary, and matrix type reports
  • Perform arithmetical operations using aggregate functions (sum, average, min and max)
  • Store reports in various types of public/private folders and enable access to users according to privileges
  • Schedule the report generation mechanism and send printer-friendly reports to specified users including non-Zoho CRM users
  • Export sales report data to user-friendly formats such as PDF, HTML, XLS and CSV

Standard CRM & Sales Reports

  • Sales Force Automation
  • Sales by Lead Source
  • Potentials Closing by Current Month
  • Pipeline by Stage & Probability
  • Current Month Sales Report
  • Accounts by Industry
  • Marketing Automation
  • Leads by Source Report
  • Campaigns Revenue Report
  • Campaign Leads
  • Potentials by Campaign
  • Customer Support
  • Products by Cases
  • Cases by Origin
  • Cases by Priority
  • Popular Solutions
  • Inventory Management
  • Purchase Orders by Status
  • Quotes by Stage
  • Invoices by Accounts
  • Sales Orders by Status
  • Products by Support Termination Date

CRM Dashboards

  • Flash-based, interactive CRM dashboards with an aesthetically pleasing layout and quick loading capability
  • Fully customizable Sales dashboards with various types of Bar, Funnel, Pie, and Line charts
  • Drill down Sales charts for further data analysis
  • Display charts in a customized home page

Standard CRM & Sales Dashboards

  • Sales Force Automation
  • Sales by Lead Source Chart
  • Potentials by Type
  • Sales Pipeline by Stage Chart
  • Sales by Accounts
  • Marketing Automation
  • Campaign Leads
  • Campaign vs. Revenue Chart
  • Leads by Source & Status
  • Leads by Industry Chart
  • Customer Support
  • Cases by Origin Chart, Priority, or Status
  • Inventory Management
  • Purchase Orders by Status
  • Quotes by Accounts
  • Invoices by Status
  • Sales Orders by Status

ZOHO’s modular reporting system is great to improve productivity! Check out ZOHO’s Contact Management offerings next!


   Beat diabetes   Diabetes diet