Why Software Service Cloud Platforms Will Change the Software Market Permanently
The market for software, while quite extensive, has always faced a number of challenges that have prevented it from achieving its true potential. Good software is expensive to design and develop. These costs usually end up being passed on to the consumer. The problem is that not everyone in the consumer market is able to afford these services. This creates a challenge in that some of the users end up stealing the software by downloading pirated copies of the software. That is until cloud platforms enabled software developers to deliver software applications over the cloud.The software developer is able to create any software that the market needs and deliver it via the internet. This not only eliminates the need for actual installation of the software on the computing device that the consumer uses, it also increases the number of people with access. People who were previously unable to access certain software due to the high cost of acquisition can now subscribe to cheaper cloud platforms that deliver the same functionality. This has increased the market penetration of the software developed by companies who use the cloud. They are able to grant anyone with a stable internet connection access to their software products. As expected, the market has responded quite favorably to this new method of service delivery.Software-as-a-service applications come in a diverse range of types. You can get any software type delivered via the cloud from document creation to accounting tools. This has enabled a large portion of the market to subscribe to software services as they need them. As a matter of fact, these platforms have a number of advantages that are denied to normal services.• First, you get a wider range of software services available to you. This is because you can have any software application that you need delivered from any service provider you choose.• Second, you have greater convenience in accessing such services. You can get software services from anywhere you have access to the internet. You can create an account with the software service provider. This will allow you to access your usual software tools from anywhere with greater ease.• Third, software-as-a-service platforms eliminate the issue of software piracy. This is not just a benefit to the software developers. It helps the market in that since developers will no longer need to take into account the likelihood of piracy when pricing their software, prices will come down substantially.
Knowledge, Power, and Politics
Knowledge and power are both deep and influential topics. There is a popular sentiment that knowledge is power. This sentiment stems from the fact that people who are educated and skilled have much greater opportunities to influence the shape and direction of their lives. As time has moved forward, knowledge has become increasingly specialized and increasingly dispersed among a larger number of people. In short, the power of knowledge comes from specialization and that specialization is no longer concentrated in a handful of metropolitan areas.This is where the impact of politics creates problems. Political solutions are frequently created and implemented by a central authority. This can be a city council, county agency, state, or the federal government. In each case, a council of experts are gathered by the political authority to study the situation and make recommendations. In some cases, public agencies become hotbeds for corruption and influence by corporate interests or unions. These circumstances make for popular news stories and special reports. However, there is a deeper problem that is largely unknown and frequently unreported. With the world becoming increasingly complex, knowledge becoming more specialized and the people possessing that knowledge becoming more dispersed, it is literally impossible for any central agency to possess enough knowledge to create an optimal solution.Over time, this problem has grown in scope and impact since the number of government representatives has stayed the same while the population and size of government has grown. Consider that the the US legislature currently has 100 Senators and 435 Representatives. This total has not changed for a very long time, so with each passing year the number of people represented by each person in congress increases. Similarly, the political power of each person in congress increases. With this trend of more power becoming concentrated in the hands of government, the impact of mistakes becomes increasingly stark.It is important to consider that when the number of people represented by an individual increases, it becomes impossible to individually know a significant number of the people you represent. This means that elections become an exercise in marketing and messaging instead of campaigning to people whom you personally know. This means that large amounts of money are required to spread a message to many people whom you need to influence in order to win the next election. This phenomenon results in shifting influence away from individuals, toward large contributors such as special interest groups, corporations, and unions. Even in an environment that is absent of overt corruption, the influence of large organizations will necessarily trump that of individuals. In most elections, there is a small field of candidates and none of the candidates completely represents the interests of any voter… people simply vote in favor of the person who they believe are likely represent their interests the most closely. Even then, most elections result in between 1/3 and 1/2 of the electorate (i.e. people who voted for the opposing candidate) are unrepresented.Thus, the question becomes one of the best way to create results in a world where knowledge is specialized, that specialization is widely dispersed, and decision power is becoming concentrated. The current situation is one where people in power have far too much power, and create initiatives that are (supposedly) well intentioned, but fail to produce results. One way to address this issue is to increase the number of representatives in government. Another option is to decrease the size and scope of government so that market-based solutions emerge.The notion of increased representation in government is appealing to many, due to the intellectual appeal of legislators who are members of our community. This is most certainly preferable to the current situation, but still carries the implicit problem of trying to make centralized decisions in a world where knowledge is specialized and dispersed. It is possible that this these centralized decisions will be incrementally beneficial to those who are currently under-represented, but will not address the fundamental problem of centrally planned solutions.The idea of market based solutions is appealing to many in the business community, because it allows them more freedom to create products and services that can profitably benefit their customers. The unique power of markets is that the dynamic process of trial and error allows for ideas and solutions to emerge from the specialized knowledge people possess, and is not constrained to a particular geographic area. The aspect of markets that many people find unappealing is that the outcomes they create are not always the same ones that they personally desire. Competition necessarily means that some people will be more successful than others. Relying on voluntary charitable donations necessarily means less funding than would be available through a government agency that is financed with tax revenues.The fundamental question that individuals must answer is not one of whether markets are ‘good’ or ‘bad’… those descriptions are highly subjective, and lack intellectual depth. The question is whether we prefer to pursue centrally planned solutions that we know to be sub-optimally effective, but are able to be directed. In contrast to this is markets, where more products, services, and solutions emerge but results are produced that many people do not find desirable. Fundamentally, the choice is between a sub-optimal solution that we can direct and a more optimal solution that we must allow to emerge. The question of knowledge, power, and politics ultimately comes down to whether you value the ability to direct outcomes over the generation of greater output and opportunity. The result of this choice is ultimately less important that the understanding that a choice must be made.The great fallacy of utopia is quickly becoming revealed. There is no perfection… only varying degrees of trade-off decisions. We make these trade-off decisions as individuals, and as an electorate. As each of us go throughout our lives, it is important to understand these decisions, and their extended implications on our personal, professional, financial (and political) lives.
Preventive Healthcare: Why It Is Becoming Increasingly Necessary For Corporates?
The annual business game plan lays out a straight forward framework that focusses on priorities, tracks progress and manages every facet of the business. Such proactive culture is the key to success. Our health too demands a similar game plan. Various researches have showed that it is possible to prevent the onset of diseases with preventive healthcare measures. Rather than treating a disease, prior diagnosis through preventive tests can save employees in an organization from a lot of distress.Studies have evaluated that investment made in health and wellness programmes by employers ultimately result in behavioural change and attitude of the employees towards the organization. Thus, preventive healthcare in corporates pays rich dividends in the long run.Now, the question is HOW?Happy employees make happy customers! June 21st, corporate India turned their lawns and cafeterias into a makeshift YOGA workshop in celebration of International Yoga Day! With a host of healthy activities that includes free sessions with popular YOGA instructors and arranging healthy diet for employees, the day was wrapped well. With maximum participation, credit goes to the talent engagement teams for adding life to the health and wellness dimensions of the employees’ lives. People are health conscious and such initiative repays. But with the rise in employee demands, it’s a tough for the employers to measure up as well.Employees feel they are supported and taken care of!Instead of comforting the cribbing and complaining workforce with unnecessary investments, it’s high time to choose an option that makes a real difference. Group medical insurance, accidental policies, parental insurance, such competitive benefit packages do attract talent but there are other employer-sponsored benefits that are non-cash compensation but and extremely beneficial. The American company, Aflac’s annual employee findings survey have showed that 60% of the employees would take up a job with lower pay as long as they received better benefits.The waves of innovation and technology have kissed the healthcare industry with spurring benefits and introduced the era of e-medicine. Online Healthcare services are ubiquitous and offer various benefits for corporates, which aim to crack the business model with effective strategies. With the launch of digital healthcare space in organization, employers can play a proactive role in taking healthcare aspects to the next level. The e-medical service will help employees to get their check up done on time and avoid severe health complications later. The preventive healthcare measures extended with online medical facilities in-house, will never go unnoticed. After all prevention is better than cure.Seeking medical advice before falling sick!A very inexcusable scenario of the modern era is premature death due to preventable and curable diseases. Routine check-up is, hence, a mandate for all. Regular online medical consultation is a practice of gauging health status even when we feel fit and fine. Employers will go an extra mile if they instil such practices within the workforce by launching a healthcare benefits that enables employees to feel relaxed all the time. A regular headache after a certain period of time at work every day might make an employee tense about his/her health. With the available, accessible and affordable online health consultation, employees can speak or chat with a general physician from the workstation itself and reduce anxiety. It is time to idolize, “We care for you”, the universal motto printed on every employee handbook.How preventive healthcare addresses the present occupational health situation from deteriorating “Lifestyle disease” is a very powerful term associated with deteriorated health conditions of employees in private sectors. We cannot escape the norms of competitive market but we can certainly help ease the stress factors with some impactful actions. The preventive healthcare segment with technological advancement has made the journey a lot easier for corporates that have built alliances with online medicine industries. With online medical care through app or desktop, organization encourages its employees to create personal health records with reputed doctors. It helps them to gain access to quality healthcare services at anytime and from anywhere.Preventive Healthcare allows employees to have their mind at workAttending an important meeting while leaving a sick child at home is the messiest phase in the life of a parent. Apart from applying for a half day leave, online health care service enables us to contact an online doctor and talk about the symptoms of the child in details. The medical advice from a reputed doctor will certainly be beneficial. We may also fetch prescriptions online and hold a video consultation once back home. Being a parent, it is extremely important to keep a close check on children’s healthcare. Our office work should not delay the necessary and preventive healthcare measures dedicated towards our children. With online healthcare benefits, harassment and delays of doctor’s appointment are eliminated, thus, allowing patients to get treated at the earliest.Helps to be a Considerate EmployerEmployers owe a duty of care towards a traveling employee. The change effects in various ways on the employee should be thoughtfully compensated by the employer. Along with the monetary benefits, it’s the care factors that play a vital role. Employees’ health is of paramount importance and employer should empower the individual with online doctor service installed in Mobile Apps. This will help the employees to have access to doctors from anywhere and at anytime. Digital healthcare is an effective and prompt medical consultation system that would provide assistance anywhere and anytime. Organization will be praised further if it extends its assistance to the employees’ families by providing them access to online doctor facilities at any point of time. The care-o-metre will certainly keep the employee happy and relaxed.Work place morale plays a great role! If the employees are healthy, they are happier, and a happy employee is the most productive one. When employees understand that their company takes care of their wellbeing and health, it generates loyalty and trust. Hence, the benefit is mutual. While the company invests in Health apps and virtual GP services for employees, they receive substantial improvement in work performance through those affiliated employees.On-demand access to healthcare 12 hours a day will make employees feel relaxed at work and, thus, improve the attentiveness.Aids in Reputation managementAn organization, whether product based or service based, is more concerned about its global reputation, not just as a provider but also as an employer. Companies are often evaluated on their workplace and people management culture. Wellness programs are, therefore, a definite practice that uplifts the banner intact. Health camps set-up on a quarterly basis receive havoc responses from employees as they feel it’s easier to consult a doctor amidst work instead of a pre-fixed appointment. Keeping these scenarios in mind, online healthcare industries have extended their reach among corporates to build alliances and act as a preventive healthcare regime within the organization.Reduces AbsenteeismThe Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) report on Preventive Healthcare and its impact on Corporate Sector states that “One rupee spent on prevention saves Rs. 133 in absenteeism costs and Rs. 6.62 in healthcare costs”. Increase in productivity through maximum attendance is one of the major boon of Online Doctor services.Preventive Healthcare as Customized Package OfferingsExclusive female doctor consultation is another top feature provided by the Digital healthcare service. Expectant females can at anytime cross consult their health issues with certified physicians available online through chat or call. Today, corporate tie ups with online healthcare industries that call for health check-ups of employees and such practices foster a stronger employee-employer bond that will bear fruit.
Strict confidentiality about employee health records or consultation is highly assured.
Preventive Healthcare is an opportunity for corporates to contribute to the well-being of its employees and also their families. It is also an awareness and education program that is much needed in today’s fast-paced life, thus, restoring the much needed healthy balance for a happy and productive work-life.