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Stories, lessons and research from the WorkingMouse team on legacy modernisation, AI, and delivery.
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Latest Articles
Browse the most recent thinking from the WorkingMouse team across modernisation, AI, delivery and more.
Where Gamification Can Take You and How to Avoid the Dangers on the Way
Gamification is often misunderstood as trivializing tasks or being aimed only at gamers. In reality, it enhances engagement and interaction by making processes more enjoyable and competitive, regardless of gaming experience. It's about improving user interaction without compromising task clarity. Successful gamification requires ongoing adaptation based on user data and frequent content updates to sustain interest. However, it's crucial to avoid relying on gamification as a quick fix for poor management; it should complement and enhance well-managed processes rather than replace them.
Brisbane's Startup Ecosystem: How It's Helping Ideas Flourish
Starting a business is tough, but Brisbane offers strong support through spaces like River City Labs and Little Tokyo Two, and initiatives like Advanced Queensland and the Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur. University centers such as UQ's iLab and QUT Creative Enterprise also provide valuable resources. While Brisbane may not rival global startup giants, its growing ecosystem offers significant help for new entrepreneurs.
Managing Scope Creep with the Variation Metric
Scope creep, a common issue in project management, occurs when small, incremental changes or unclear stakeholder requirements impact a project’s scope. It can be managed through a variation metric, which measures how much requirements change during a sprint compared to the original scope. At WorkingMouse, this metric helps identify and manage scope creep by flagging projects based on the level of variation. Effective management includes reviewing project communication, managing expectations, and halting the build if changes exceed manageable thresholds. Properly addressing scope creep helps maintain project focus and efficiency.
Tech SMEs to Benefit from New Contract Cap
The Australian government has announced it will cap the term and value of IT contracts to enable small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) to compete for components of large projects. This move aims to allocate 10% of the $6.5 billion annual IT budget to smaller operators. Angus Taylor highlighted that this will foster innovation and competition. The change builds on previous efforts to empower SMEs, promote competition, and use modern procurement practices, following recommendations from the ICT procurement taskforce.
Why You Should Use UX Flows and Prototypes When Starting App Development
Project managers often have abstract app ideas but lack the creative skills to visualize them. UX flows and prototypes help bridge this gap. UX flows use wireframes to outline user experiences, with low-fi versions showing basic layouts and high-fi versions detailing design elements. Prototypes then bring these flows to life, either as clickable mockups or semi-functional demos. Tools like InVision are used for prototyping, which helps in refining user interactions and interface appearance. Collaborating with UX designers ensures effective translation of ideas into functional applications.
Overcoming Problems in Software Innovation
The shift in innovation focus from product features to customer experience is transforming industries, especially in software. Companies are increasingly prioritizing service-oriented approaches, like Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), to enhance customer experience and meet diverse consumer needs. This trend highlights the importance of offering valuable services rather than just features to succeed in today’s market.
Learn How to Slide Through to Success!
At WorkingMouse, we use a Success Slider tool to help project stakeholders agree on success criteria by prioritizing scope, cost, time, and quality. This tool ensures all parties understand and accept the trade-offs and flexibility needed in each area. By discussing and shading the Success Slider, partners clarify their priorities and set realistic expectations for project outcomes. This approach helps us manage conflicts and make informed decisions throughout the development process.
What the Era of Digital Transformation Means for Your Business
Digital transformation means modernising and digitalising your current business processes, not becoming a tech startup. It involves adopting a digital mindset to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. Key steps include pinpointing your digital goals, inventorying assets, visualising new models, operating both old and new models, and tracking progress. While digital transformation is a gradual process, it’s essential for staying competitive. Companies that embrace it will have a significant edge over those relying on traditional methods.
WorkingMouse Recognised in Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific
WorkingMouse is ranked #70 on Deloitte's Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific, marking a notable achievement with 800% growth since 2015. The Deloitte list highlights high-growth tech companies across the Asia Pacific region, with Australia showing strong performance. Top Australian companies include Hireup (#2) with 7713% growth, zipMoney (#7) with 4012% growth, and Zero Latency (#8) with 3611% growth. WorkingMouse's growth is driven by Codebots, a platform engineering tool that significantly speeds up software development. This recognition underscores Australia's strong tech sector and innovation.
Australia at Risk of Being Left Behind When It Comes to Innovation
Australia ranks 15th in global R&D spending but falls behind in high-growth firms, international patents, and overall innovation, slipping to 23rd in the Global Innovation Index. Despite strong performance in research and a low unemployment rate, Australia struggles with digital skills and commercializing new ideas. To address this, Prime Minister Turnbull has pledged $100 million to link industry with academia and support growth in key sectors. While there's room for improvement, government initiatives and a focus on modernizing processes offer hope for boosting innovation.
Lampbot Wraps its Code in API Packaging Says Codebots Founder Eban Escott
APIs act as controlled access points, enabling software integration and streamlining development by leveraging existing capabilities. For example, APIs manage access to features like location data on smartphones. Using APIs, such as those from Facebook or tools like Swagger, can save time and enhance functionality. Lampbot’s micro-service architecture, which uses APIs for integration, highlights the importance of digital maturity for business success and productivity.v
Creativity and Innovation: How Important Have Intangible Assets Become?
Intangible assets—like brand, customer databases, and patents—are crucial for a company's value, increasingly outweighing physical assets. Unlike tangible assets, their value is harder to quantify but vital for maintaining a competitive edge. Companies should track and value these intangibles using financial, qualitative, and contextual factors to accurately reflect their worth and ensure sustained innovation.
App-ra Kadabra: New Technology Accelerating App Development
App development often involves tedious, repetitive coding for multiple platforms, like writing separate code for desktop and mobile devices. At WorkingMouse, we've developed a framework that allows us to reuse code across both web and mobile platforms, saving time and reducing development costs. This approach, which integrates with cloud-based software, simplifies the process and boosts efficiency, potentially making it a standard practice in the future.
Codebots Lights Up Brisbane Startup Scene
WorkingMouse’s Codebots platform has received $250,000 from the Queensland government's Ignite Ideas Fund, part of the Advance Queensland initiative. This funding will help advance Codebots, which automates coding to speed up software development. Codebots is designed to handle most of the coding work, letting developers focus on creativity. The platform, launching in late 2017, aims to revolutionize software development by pairing human ingenuity with automated coding
Anticipatory Design: The Future of UX Design
The data revolution is reshaping industries like the Industrial Revolutions once did. Anticipatory Design uses data to predict user needs and improve UX, seen in tools like Spotify's recommendations. As machine learning and IoT advance, this data-driven approach is becoming essential in design.
Flexible Software Licensing Models Set to Take Over
By the end of 2017, organizations are expected to shift from perpetual software licenses to subscription-based models. With traditional software licensing becoming outdated, new models like subscription-based, usage-based, and performance-based licensing are gaining popularity. Subscription models, such as Microsoft Office’s, are now common, offering flexibility and ongoing access. Usage-based licenses charge based on consumption, while performance-based licenses link costs to specific outcomes. These new models cater to modern users and can be adjusted or combined based on how users interact with the software.
How UX Research and Prototyping Helps Businesses Grow
Prussian Field Marshal Moltke's adage "no plan survives contact with the enemy" applies to software development, where unforeseen issues often arise. Agile development addresses this by emphasizing flexibility and iterative design. One key method is prototyping user flow, which maps out how users interact with a product and helps align user and business goals. Wireframes, as low-fidelity prototypes, are crucial for early feedback and iterative improvement, ensuring better UX and ultimately a more successful product.
How Gamification Can Help Grow Your Digital Presence
Gamification converts business goals into scoring systems, motivating employees by making tasks competitive and engaging. This approach, which adapts gaming techniques to work processes, can be used to track both short-term and long-term objectives. For example, in growth hacking, gamifying social media metrics (like points for likes, retweets, and replies) can drive engagement and performance. Studies show that gamification boosts motivation and engagement by appealing to our desire for achievement and competition. Overall, it’s an effective tool for innovation and performance measurement.
How Did the Real Estate Industry Take Advantage of Innovative Software?
InspectRealEstate, created by Andrew Reece and Mike Van Raders, addresses a real need for a user-friendly booking system in real estate. It has grown from a small team to a major player, processing millions of enquiries daily. The platform’s success is attributed to its innovative approach and strong industry presence. Reece’s background in property management and Van Raders' technical expertise have driven this transformation, supported by WorkingMouse's innovation platform. The tool has significantly improved the moving process and continues to evolve, benefiting the real estate sector across Australia and New Zealand.
Innovation Partnership: Grow Logic Teams Up with WorkingMouse
Grow Logic, founded by Peter Bail, addresses the need for sustainable farming solutions by providing advanced tools like UAVs, web-based mapping, and irrigation integration. Partnering with WorkingMouse, they’re developing a web and mobile solution to improve labor efficiency and reduce costs for Australian growers. The project includes close collaboration with citrus growers and the use of modern tech like drones to enhance farm management. This innovation aims to boost plant productivity, profitability, and environmental sustainability.
Local Innovation Promotes Healthy Lifestyles
Hello Fresh, which started in a founder's living room, has grown into a market leader by delivering fresh produce and recipe cards to customers' doorsteps. Their innovative use of technology, like mobile apps for managing food deliveries, enhances customer control and connectivity. Mobile apps can boost customer engagement by reducing wait times, offering offline access, and increasing brand visibility. Upgrading or creating a mobile app can significantly benefit organizations by improving customer experience and loyalty.
Our New Investors Are Ready to Help Us Create Innovative Change
WorkingMouse is set for significant growth with support from investors and a new partnership with Advance Queensland’s KTP program, which funds recent graduates for strategic projects. Our new UX team member, Taun, is enhancing our innovation platform’s user experience. We’re also excited about showcasing our work with clients like Liz Alexander at the Australian Cotton Conference. As we gather feedback and refine our approach, we’re preparing to launch our most ambitious project yet and look forward to sharing more updates soon.
Why Picking the Right SaaS Vendor Is So Important for Cloud Security
As cloud computing becomes more popular, understanding its security implications is crucial. Unlike traditional IT, cloud security relies heavily on choosing a reliable SaaS provider, as cloud environments expose data to unique risks. SaaS vendors are responsible for securing data, including handling backups and subcontracting issues. Despite these risks, cloud computing offers significant benefits if managed correctly. To maximize security, thoroughly research and select reputable SaaS vendors, and ensure they implement robust protection measures.
Innovation Partnership: Wantu Teams Up with WorkingMouse
Anne-Marie, inspired by her experience as a mother, developed the Wantu app to provide customizable, engaging activities for children using household items. Originally named Express2fun, the app simplifies finding and organizing activities, making it easier for parents. After teaching herself basic software skills and winning a pitch contest, Anne-Marie partnered with WorkingMouse to build her MVP. With plans to enhance the app and expand internationally, Wantu aims to offer even more value, including resources for children with learning disabilities. Visit kidswantu.com to download the free beta version.
Software Licensing: Why It’s Important and How It Can Help You
Software licensing defines how software can be used and shared. Key types include EULAs, subscriptions, and white-labeling. It’s important to understand licensing to ensure legal use and avoid unnecessary costs. For custom software, verify intellectual property rights and third-party tool licenses.
How Leading Edge Software Can Help You Scale Your Business
Relying on Excel spreadsheets for data management can increase manual labor costs, slow down report generation, and limit scalability. Switching to software automates data handling, provides a single source of truth, and offers better scalability and efficiency. WorkingMouse’s platform streamlines this transition, automates processes, and allows for quicker, data-driven decision-making. Adopting new software solutions can significantly enhance business operations and ROI.
The Jump to Using Agile for Application Development
Agile development, favored for its adaptability, replaces the old waterfall method by using iterative sprints for continuous feedback and improvement. Key benefits include reduced costs and quicker market readiness. To maximize Agile's effectiveness, customize it to fit your business, consider variable sprint lengths, and integrate Lean principles. Agile also complements cloud migration by allowing gradual, iterative transitions. WorkingMouse enhances Agile with software bots to speed up development.
Enabling Innovation: WorkingMouse Is Proud to Support IPEXUS
WorkingMouse developed IPEXUS, an enterprise exchange platform that connects buyers and sellers of businesses. Launched on July 1, IPEXUS simplifies the buying and selling process with easy navigation, secure confidentiality agreements, and LinkedIn integration. Built using WorkingMouse's codebots and innovation platform, IPEXUS was completed in just three months.
Safety First: Overcoming Cloud Computing Security Threats
Cloud services offer significant benefits like reduced costs and improved access but face skepticism due to security concerns. Many IT leaders worry about cloud security, fueled by high-profile data breaches like Equifax’s. Key challenges include ensuring data security, integrity, and confidentiality in the cloud. SaaS providers must implement robust security measures, such as two-factor authentication and regular security assessments, to protect user data. Despite these risks, with proper precautions, the advantages of cloud computing can outweigh the drawbacks.
The Need for Speed: The Codebots (Innovation Platform) Story
An innovation platform may sound vague, but it significantly speeds up and modernizes application development by automating much of the coding process. It enables cloud migration and uses model-driven engineering to streamline software creation. WorkingMouse's platform, for example, simplifies this with tools and processes that save time and improve efficiency, making the future of tech more promising.
WorkingMouse and MEC Mining Rock the Unearthed Hackathon
A hackathon brings together diverse experts to quickly prototype and pitch solutions. At the Unearthed Hackathon in Brisbane, WorkingMouse and MEC Mining tackled a challenge on sample supply chain custody, creating a GPS-enabled device and real-time tracking system. Using WorkingMouse’s low-code platform, they rapidly developed a solution with over 90,000 lines of code. Their demo showcased a sophisticated system for tracking samples, including GPS tracking and notifications. The weekend highlighted the potential of tech and innovation in mining, supported by Unearthed's drive to advance the industry.
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