Wealth Management Advisory: Advantages of Family Office

There are many organizational solutions for obtaining the support of professionals in wealth management. At one extreme, there will be the hiring of individual experts on all emerging issues, and at the other — collaboration with the family office. Interim solutions in the form of wealth advisory firms are also possible. To understand why high net worth (HNW) families prefer such a comprehensive solution as family offices, you need to understand the value that they bring to the lives of wealthy families.

If a family chooses wealth advisory firms, many issues relevant to HNW families turn out to be beyond their competence. As a result, such a compromise solution forces families to hire additional firms or individual experts to relieve their pressures. At the same time, family offices offer comprehensive solutions that cover all the needs of wealthy families.

The Most Important Functions of a Family Office

Managing Family Finances

Family offices are involved in developing investment strategies, preparing financial statements, risk management, etc. They can offer both traditional investment methods and alternative investment opportunities. For example, high net worth family office Certuity is an expert in dynamic wealth management strategies. Therefore, you will be able to jointly develop comprehensive investment solutions that are focused not only on preserving wealth but also on increasing it in conditions of new emerging opportunities.

Family Governance

Family offices deal with numerous organizational issues that take much time and require careful consideration. It could be:

• Organization of trips, including selection and booking of hotels, tickets, etc.;
• Selection of educational programs for the younger generation and supervision of all issues related to education;
• Organization of receptions, parties, family celebrations, etc.

The specific range of tasks that a family office can handle depends on the composition of the family and the needs of each of its members.

Legacy Planning

The transition of wealth from older to younger generations requires special attention for many weighty reasons:

• Wise management of inheritance makes the family united and does not create conflicts.
• Timely legacy planning prepares family members to take on new roles and responsibilities in managing family wealth.
• The amount of tax you pay depends on which inheritance strategy you choose.

Philanthropy

Philanthropy is vital to wealthy families as it allows them to contribute to society both locally and globally. Thus, the Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy (CSP) estimates that 99% of all charitable gifts worldwide come from the wealthy 1%. 

For charity to bring maximum benefit, it is not enough to allocate some money from family income. It is necessary to be actively involved in charitable projects and lead and control them. Family offices effectively perform this function, which contributes to the implementation of the civic mission of a wealthy family and enhances its reputation in the community.

How a Family Office Ensures Prosperity for Rich Families

The key secret of family offices’ success is a holistic approach. It implies that it is impossible to achieve harmony and well-being without taking into account all the factors in any given situation:

• Financial opportunities require risk assessment.
• The distribution of wealth within the family should ensure the interests of everyone.
• Interaction with the local community should be based on the principles of cooperation, not confrontation.
• The desire to preserve wealth should not prevent its growth.

To find the perfect balance in any situation, it is important to have a team based on both professional knowledge and an awareness of the value of a cohesive and thriving family. Since the mission of a family office is to provide comprehensive assistance to wealthy families, it helps turn wealth into prosperity. Other wealth management advisory solutions don’t rise to this level because they focus on narrow investment and financial management issues.

Therefore, if you want to find a solution that will cover all areas of family life, the family office has no competitors. It has become a superior form of assistance to HNW families, which contributes to their prosperity in various senses.

The post Pathways to Prosperity: Navigating High Net Worth Family Offices appeared first on AppGen 2022.

Technical Specifications:

• DPI sensitivity: 200-8000

• Polling rate: 1000Hz

• Number of buttons: 6

• Dimensions: 117mm 62mm 38mm

• Weight: 85g (without cable)

• Manufacturer’s warranty: 24 months

Packaging:

The Logitech G102 gaming mouse box is presented in a minimalist style, with a colorful combination of basalt gray background and sky blue text. Right in the center of the front side, the buyer is greeted by an image of the Logitech G102 mouse in lavender color (light purple). Depending on the configuration, the color of the mouse on the box may differ. On this side of the package, in addition to the image, there is information about the model, the maximum DPI level, and the backlight control technology – LIGHTSYNC. On the side of the box, the manufacturer has placed information about the technical characteristics, the warranty period in 15 different languages, and a clarification about the compatibility with devices. The opposite side is almost empty, except for the mouse model, there is only information in small print about the materials used in the production of the box.

The back of the box is almost completely filled with various information, divided into 4 blocks. The DPI block specifies that there are 5 built-in profiles, the sensitivity range varies from 200 to 8000 DPI. The backlight block describes information about the color spectrum of 16.8 million shades and the ability to customize the backlight to your liking. In the buttons block, the manufacturer specifies that each of them is programmable, and mechanical switches are used in the main buttons. And the block with the Logitech logo briefly describes the advantages of the G102 gaming mouse. At the very bottom, under the image of the mouse in profile, there is a clarification: all the possibilities of the mouse are revealed only after installing the Logitech G Hub software. After removing the fixing sticker, we get access to the product packaging, which is the mouse itself in a protective package, several manuals, and a sticker with the Logitech logo.

Appearance:

The entire Logitech G102 mouse is made in light purple color, except for the panel on which the wheel and the DPI level switch button are installed – they are made of dark purple plastic. The mouse is quite pleasant to the touch, the plastic is matte, smooth and not easily soiled.

A backlight strip is installed along the body of the mouse, and there is a backlit company logo on the upper body of the mouse. The plastic in the backlight area is colorless and matte for better light scattering.

The side buttons are of the same size, in order to make them feel better tactilely, the plastic used in them is rough.

On the bottom of the Logitech G102 mouse, there are white Teflon feet. In the center of this side is the sensor, around which an additional Teflon foot is installed, it protects the sensor from debris and contributes to better glide of the mouse.

The cable of the Logitech G102 mouse is quite simple, in a regular white rubber braid. The company logo is cast on the cable clamp, the plug itself is familiar to everyone – USB (A). On the back of the cable, there is also a retainer with special grooves so that the cable can be bent without kinks.

Logitech g102 Software:

The Logitech G Hub program opens up the full range of mouse capabilities to the user. The settings tab in the upper right corner allows you to check for Logitech software updates, configure the program to open at startup, backlight activity period, language, and a few more additional program settings. The backlight tab provides all the possibilities for setting up the mouse glow, starting from the effects and glow color, ending with creating your own effects and synchronizing with other devices. The assignment tab allows you to customize each key individually for specific commands, create and assign macro commands, and assign system control commands to the keys. In the 3rd sensitivity tab, the program allows us to more

The post Logitech G102 Gaming Mouse Review: A Detailed Look appeared first on AppGen 2022.

Manufacturing Metamorphosis:

Imagine production lines shrinking into bedrooms, and assembly lines replaced by a single printer. 3D printing fosters decentralized manufacturing, empowering local communities to produce what they need, when they need it. Spare parts for agricultural equipment in remote areas? No problem. Personalized prosthetics tailored to individual needs? A reality. This shift not only reduces reliance on long-distance logistics but also empowers local economies and promotes sustainability.

But the impact extends beyond physical objects. Open-source design communities flourish, sharing 3D models for everything from furniture to prosthetics, fostering collaboration and democratizing innovation. The lines between creator and consumer blur, as individuals gain the power to personalize and even manufacture their own goods. Imagine downloading a chair design, tweaking it to your taste, and printing it out in your living room – a glimpse into the future of personalized production.

From Pills to Prostheses: A Personalized Future:

The medical field is witnessing its own 3D-printed renaissance. Custom-made implants perfectly match a patient’s anatomy, offering unprecedented comfort and functionality in prosthetics. Bioprinting advancements hold the potential to revolutionize medicine, from printing tissues for regeneration to even bioprinting organs for transplantation. Personalized medications, with dosages tailored to individual genetic profiles, could become a reality, ushering in a new era of precision medicine.

Food for Thought: 3D Printing on Your Plate:

The culinary world is also getting a taste of the 3D revolution. Imagine printing intricate vegan steaks with the texture and taste of their meaty counterparts, or personalized nutrition bars packed with the exact nutrients your body needs. Beyond the novelty, 3D food printing could address food insecurity challenges by enabling local production of nutritious meals and reducing dependence on long-distance food chains.

Education Transformed: Learning Beyond Textbooks:

3D printing is transforming education, making learning more interactive and engaging. Students can now interact with physical models of historical artifacts, visualize complex scientific structures, or even print out customized learning aids tailored to their needs. This hands-on approach fosters deeper understanding and empowers students to become active participants in their learning journey.

Space Age Innovations: Printing Beyond Earth:

3D printing is even making its mark in the cosmos. Astronauts aboard the International Space Station are already using 3D printers to create tools and spare parts, reducing reliance on resupply missions and paving the way for future lunar and Martian settlements. Imagine astronauts printing habitats, medical equipment, or even food on demand, a testament to the boundless potential of this technology.

Challenges and the Road Ahead:

As with any transformative technology, challenges remain. Cost, limited material options, and scalability issues are hurdles that need to be addressed. However, with constant advancements in technology, material science, and software, these barriers are falling like dominoes. The future promises faster, more affordable, and more versatile 3D printers, opening doors to even more groundbreaking applications.

Beyond a Technological Marvel: A Catalyst for Change:

3D printing is not just a technological marvel; it’s a catalyst for social and economic change. It has the potential to democratize manufacturing, personalize healthcare, and even reshape our relationship with food and education. As we embrace this technology responsibly and continue to push its boundaries, the possibilities are as vast as the potential layers we can build upon. The future is printing, and it’s shaping up to be a world of exciting possibilities, one layer at a time.

Further Considerations:

This expanded version is roughly 1800 words long. If you’d like to explore specific aspects in more detail, please let me know. Some potential areas include:

• Environmental impact of 3D printing and how it compares to traditional manufacturing.
• The ethical considerations of 3D printing, such as intellectual property rights and potential misuse.
• The role of governments and regulatory bodies in supporting and shaping the future of 3D printing.
• The future of 3D printing in specific industries beyond those mentioned here.

With your guidance, I can tailor the focus to your specific interests and further enrich the exploration of this fascinating technology and its potential for reshaping our world.

The post 3D Printing: A 3-Dimensional Revolution Reshaping Our World appeared first on AppGen 2022.

We live in an age when software development is a big part of seemingly any industry in some shape or form. Organizations use websites, mobile apps, CRMs, and many other software solutions in order to reach their business goals, improve internal and external operations and ultimately increase their revenues. 

There are ready-made solutions that can cover your basic needs, however, if in your case customization is required, you will have to be aware of the basics of software development and risk management in software engineering at least at the high level. 

Grand View Research claims that the size of the software development market is getting close to the USD 500 billion mark, and it is expected to reach USD 525.1 million by 2030. The market is truly enormous, with 26.9 million software developers available worldwide. 

While the technological advancements and growth of the market will allow you to build almost everything you want, if you have an appropriate budget, of course, there are still no guarantees that a software product for your organization will end up being successful, or being built at all. 

1 in 5 startups fails in the first year of existence, and half of the startups fail within 5 years. Of course, the reasons for that can be very different, however, by being aware and adhering to the process of risk management in software engineering, you can improve your chances for success. 

In this article, we will share our expertise and experience in risk management in software development, and you will be able to use these tips in any kind of industry, from Healthcare to E-learning development. 

“The essence of risk management lies in maximizing the areas where we have some control over the outcome while minimizing the areas where we have absolutely no control over the outcome.”

— Peter L. Bernstein

What is the risk management process in software engineering?

To put it simply, this process consists of identifying, assessing, mitigating, and controlling any possible, existing, or potential threats that might harm your business. Types of risk management in software engineering can be divided into internal and external. 

An example of the risk involved in software development that can be considered external may come from the possible hurricane, while internal comes from people or processes inside your organization, like failing to meet a deadline on an important task. 

The project manager is widely regarded to be responsible for risk management, however, the responsibility for this should be shared among all members of your software development process. On a high level, even the stakeholders should know what is considered and not considered as a risk in project management.

Key steps of risk management in software engineering

Before diving deep into the types of risks in risk management, let’s review the stages it consists of. 

Risk management involves which type of risk: A list of the most common threats

You can look at risk analysis in project management from different perspectives because possible threats may come from both technical and business perspectives, and you should be ready for them. 

The lack of planning and understanding

With this problem, you might end up exceeding the previously planned budget and not meeting set timelines. In order to avoid it, you should put everyone on the same page, including executives. 

It is extremely important, that the product owner or a project manager will do the best they can to create a roadmap for the project, plan the scope, and conduct proper research and analysis for the project. 

The lack of management support

Speaking of executives, there is another threat that can negatively impact the development process. Let’s say the management provided you with permission to start working on a product, but then the plans change, and you will get the budget cut or an entire project canceled. How to avoid this unfortunate situation? You need to make sure that businesses understand the significance of a particular software development project and what business goals it set to achieve.  

Problems with communication

When you got your executives on board with your ideas, you may encounter another common problem. Your development teams may fail to understand the determined business goals and not feel motivated to do the job. Make sure to do everything you can to transfer that vision, including creating user stories and telling every small business detail that might matter while creating a product. 

Too high expectations

This one also may lead to budget cuts and project cancelation. You can solve this by putting additional effort into planning and making sure that everyone understands what you are trying to achieve with the solution. 

Not enough time for Research and Prototyping

This is an area where you can fall into the trap of doing too much or not enough. While you are building a product you need to have enough time for proper research, however, it requires valuable time that you often just don’t have. What to do here? It makes sense to get a consultation from experienced software developers for the right decision.  

Scope creep problem

It is important to leave some room for changes in the scope of your project while you are planning. If you take into consideration only current needs, you may end up exceeding the budget or timelines when something will change, and you will have to take an unplanned path. More often than not, plans change, so avoid scope creep! 

Inaccurate estimations

The root cause of this is poor planning. When you make estimations, you need to rely on facts and make informed decisions. Your management and actual developers should be connected on the subject of estimation, and help each other in the process of setting budget boundaries and realistic release dates. 

Legacy systems

Existing infrastructure is another important factor that should be taken into account. You can develop the most innovative and effective software in time, but fail to plan that the replacement or integration with an existing system may eat up a significant chunk of money and time. If you use outsourcing, your development teams should be fully aware of what systems you currently have, and how much effort the integration of the new solution will take. 

Setting a timeline

With all the abovementioned areas covered, it may be up to you to set up a proper deadline. Obviously, if external factors allow you to do that. It is very important to strike a balance here, in order to obtain great results.

If you push too hard with a deadline, the development team could simply fail to deliver the product as promised. However, if you provide too much time you may encounter a lack of motivation problems, which will result in a relaxed attitude among the development experts.   

Once again, experienced IT providers may help you to set realistic milestones according to your specific situation. 

Exceeding the budget

The most accurate calculation and detailed planning still don’t give you a 100% guarantee. More often than not, your project will require more money than initially planned. All you can do here is to keep in touch with the stakeholders and control that any changes to the development direction will go through a proper protocol and get additional financing if needed. 

Not enough testing

Even the greatest product may fail due to the lack of testing. Bugs and not properly functioning features of your software solution may ruin everything. Right from the very start, it makes sense to add to your budget expenses for proper testing. Both Manual QA Engineers and QA Automation Engineers are important in the quality assurance process and delivering software adhering to the highest industry standards. 

Not leveraging user feedback

Make sure to be able to make changes and adjustments in your product based on user feedback upon the release. No matter how big your project is, whether it is an MVP or a complete product, being flexible after release is super important to receive maximum value. It will be a good idea to have a significant amount of money and time planned beforehand, that you will spend on making changes based on user feedback post-launch. In some cases, this can make your break your product, so you need to pay enough attention to it.  

FAQ

What is a risk in software development?

You can consider a risk any factor that can potentially impact the software development process negatively. To deal with this, risk management is created, a discipline that focuses on preventing unfortunate situations while creating a product. Usually, the project manager is responsible for this, and there are risk management MCQs to test the skills of the particular expert. 

What are examples of software development risks?

First, we need to distinguish that there are two categories of potential threats. First, come from the business side, and second from actual technical implementation. Business risk example can be poor planning, while technical risk can be the usage of unsuitable technology. 

What are technical risks?

Technical threats can stop the progress of the development process. These may include poor code quality or a lack of testing. 

The post Introduction to risk management in software project management appeared first on AppGen 2022.

Penetration testing can help businesses identify and fix weaknesses in their systems before they can be exploited by attackers. In addition, penetration testing can help businesses assess their overall security posture and make improvements to their defenses.

What is Penetration Testing?

Penetration testers use a variety of tools and techniques to attempt to gain access to systems and data. They may try to exploit vulnerabilities in software, hardware, or network configurations. They may also try to social engineer employees into giving them access to sensitive information.

Once they have gained access to a system, penetration testers will attempt to escalate their privileges and gain further access. They may also try to exfiltrate data or plant malware.

Penetration testing can be used to assess the security of an organization’s systems and identify areas that need to be improved. It can also be used to test the effectiveness of security controls.

Penetration testing should be conducted by experienced professionals who understand the risks involved. The tests should be conducted in a controlled environment and all findings should be properly documented.

Organizations should consider conducting penetration tests on a regular basis as part of their overall security program.

Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated and widespread, making it imperative for organizations to have robust security measures in place. Penetration testing is one way to test the effectiveness of these measures and identify any weaknesses that could be exploited by attackers.

Penetration testing simulates real-world cyber attacks to identify vulnerabilities in an organization’s systems and infrastructure. These tests are conducted by ethical hackers, also known as white hat hackers, who use the same tools and techniques as malicious attackers.

Penetration testing can be used to assess the security of both internal and external systems. External tests focus on assessing the security of an organization’s Internet-facing systems, while internal tests focus on assessing the security of systems that are not connected to the Internet.

Why Is Penetration Testing Important?

Penetration testing is important because it can help identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. Attackers are constantly trying to find new ways to exploit vulnerabilities in systems and infrastructure, so it’s important for organizations to keep their systems up-to-date and secure.

Penetration testing can also help assess the effectiveness of an organization’s security controls. Controls such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS) are designed to prevent or detect attacks, but they can’t be 100% effective. Penetration testing can help identify weaknesses in these controls so that they can be improved.

What Are the Steps Involved in Penetration Testing?

The steps involved in penetration testing will vary depending on the scope and objectives of the test. However, there are some common steps that are typically followed:

1. Reconnaissance: The first step is to gather information about the target system or organization. This can be done through public sources such as search engines, social media, and company websites. It can also be done through more covert means such as port scanning and footprinting.

2. Scanning: Once information has been gathered, the next step is to scan the target system for vulnerabilities. This can be done using automated tools or manual methods.

3. Exploitation: If vulnerabilities are found, the next step is to attempt to exploit them. This can be done in a number of ways, such as using automated tools or writing custom exploit code.

4. Post-Exploitation: Once a system has been successfully exploited, the attacker can then perform post-exploitation activities. This may include installing backdoors, uploading malware, or stealing data.

5. Cleanup: The final step is to clean up any evidence of the attack and cover their tracks. This includes removing any malicious files, deleting log files, and disabling any backdoors that were installed.

The main goal of an attacker is to gain access to a system or network without being detected. To do this, they will use a variety of techniques and tools at each stage of the attack. Some of the most common methods used in each stage are listed below.

Reconnaissance:

● Footprinting: This involves gathering information about the target system or network. This may include searching public records, social media, and job postings.

● Scanning: This involves using tools to scan for open ports and vulnerabilities on the target system. Common tools used for this include Nmap and Nessus.

● Enumeration: This is a process of gathering more detailed information about the target system. This may include identifying usernames, shares, and services running on the system.

Exploitation:

● Buffer overflows: This is a type of attack that exploits a vulnerability in a program by overflowing the memory buffer with data. This can allow an attacker to execute code on the target system.

● SQL injection: This is a type of attack that exploits a vulnerability in a website’s database. This can allow an attacker to access or modify data stored in the database.

● Cross-site scripting (XSS): This is a type of assault that uses a website’s flaw to attack users. An attacker may exploit this to insert harmful code into a web page, which will be executed by unsuspecting visitors.

Gaining Access:

● Social engineering: This is a type of attack that relies on human interaction to trick people into revealing information or performing actions that they would not normally do.

● Password cracking: This is a type of attack that tries to guess passwords. This can be done using methods such as brute force or dictionary attacks.

● Exploiting vulnerabilities: This is a type of attack that takes advantage of weaknesses in software or systems to gain access.

Once Access is Gained:

● Privilege escalation: This is a type of attack that allows an attacker to gain elevated privileges on a system. This can be done by exploiting vulnerabilities or by using social engineering techniques.

● Malware: This is a type of attack that involves malicious software, such as viruses, worms, and Trojan horses. This software can be used to damage systems or steal information.

The post The Importance of Penetration Testing for Your Corporate Cybersecurity appeared first on AppGen 2022.

What is Web 3?

Web 3 is a term used to describe the next generation of the internet, one that is more decentralized, open, and secure. While the internet has always been a decentralised network of computers, the way we use it today is very centralised. A small number of companies control most of our data and our attention.

Why is Web 3 important?

Web 3 is important because it represents a shift back to the original vision of the internet as a decentralised network. With Web 3, there is no need for centralised intermediaries like Google or Facebook. Instead, users can interact directly with each other and with applications in a secure and efficient way.

What are some of the technologies that make up Web 3?

Some of the key technologies that make up Web 3 include:

– Decentralised storage: This is a way of storing data that is not controlled by any single entity. Instead, it is distributed across a network of computers. This makes it more secure and efficient than traditional centralised storage methods.

– Decentralised computing: This is a way of running applications without the need for centralised servers. Instead, they are run on a network of computers. This makes them more secure and efficient than traditional centrally-run applications.

– Blockchain: This is a decentralised database that allows users to interact with each other directly, without the need for an intermediary.

– Smart contracts: These are agreements that are written in code and stored on the blockchain. They can be used to automatically enforce terms and conditions between parties.

– Cryptocurrencies: Cryptocurrencies are digital assets that use cryptography for security and to mint new units. Bitcoin is the most famous cryptocurrency.

What is a decentralised network?

A decentralised network is a computer network that is not controlled by any single entity. Instead, it is distributed across a network of computers. This makes it more secure and efficient than traditional centralised storage methods.

What are the characteristics of Web 3?

There are three main characteristics of Web 3:

1. Decentralisation: There is no central authority controlling the internet. Instead, it is a network of computers that anyone can access and use.

2. Openness: The code that runs the internet is open source, meaning anyone can contribute to its development.

3. Security: The data on the internet is encrypted, making it more secure from hackers and other malicious actors.

What are the benefits of Web 3?

There are many benefits to using Web 3:

1. It is more secure: The data on the internet is encrypted, making it more secure from hackers and other malicious actors.

2. It is more private: Since there is no central authority controlling the internet, your data is less likely to be collected and used without your consent.

3. It is more democratic: The open source nature of the internet means that anyone can contribute to its development, making it more inclusive and representative of the global population.

4. It is more efficient: The decentralised nature of the internet means that there is no need for central servers, which makes it more efficient and scalable.

5. It is more resilient: The distributed nature of the internet means that it is more resistant to outages and disruptions.

What are the disadvantages of the decentralised internet?

1. It is less secure: The lack of a central authority means that there is no one to take responsibility for security breaches. This makes the decentralised internet more vulnerable to attack.

2. It is less private: The lack of a central authority means that there is no one to enforce privacy laws. This makes the decentralised internet less private than the traditional internet.

3. It is less stable: The distributed nature of the internet means that it is more susceptible to outages and disruptions.

4. It is less efficient: The decentralised nature of the internet means that there is no central server, which can make it less efficient and scalable.

The post What Is Web 3 And Why Is Everyone Talking About It? appeared first on AppGen 2022.

Most likely than not, you choose between a sole proprietorship and a limited liability company. Which is a better option for programmers? Let’s help you pick the correct answer. 

What Is a Sole Proprietorship?

This form of private enterprise is a so-called disregarded or unregistered entity that requires no state filing. Once you start doing something for money and pay statutory charges and taxes, you become a sole proprietor. As the name suggests, you are the only enterprise owner. This business structure is widely favored by startuppers, freelancers, and those who work from home or online. At the same time, it’s a great match for newly formed small offline businesses too. 

Though an unregistered business structure and not a formal entity, a sole proprietorship still allows you to hire employees and make use of other services available to legal entities such as DBA filing or trademarking. 

Top Benefits of a Sole Proprietorship for Programmers

To help you understand if this form of the venture is good enough for your programming endeavors, here are the key advantages you will enjoy:

• No formalities to handle: Since a disregarded entity needs no filing, there is no serious paperwork to process and submit to state authorities. You might just need to register for a license to support your professional activity, with no other filing formalities to observe;
• You are the only one in control: You are the only enterprise owner, and you are in full control of your venture. You are the one to decide and do what you deem necessary, and you are the one to gain all profits; 
• Pass-through taxation: All business-related profits and losses should be reflected on your individual tax report, thus, saving you the need to file a corporate tax report and comply with any additional tax requirements;
• No annual state filings: While legal entities are to submit state reports on an annual basis to maintain their company info in the state registries up-to-date, disregarded entities don’t have to follow that rule and keep in mind yet another formal deadline.

Sole Proprietorship Tax Benefits and Options for Programmers

A taxation system is the biggest draw of this business form. On the one hand, you are considered self-employed and will have to pay a self-employment tax, which is not as low as you want it to be.

However, that pricy charge is more than justified by other tax benefits you’ll get. Thus, you’ll get an opportunity of reducing your taxable earnings by deducting certain enterprise expenses (for example, the use of your home or vehicle for business purposes). You’ll be also allowed to write off travel, entertainment, or marketing costs and get access to special retirement plans. 

Such taxation opportunities are welcoming for beginner programmers who seek to save on expenses and cut down the costs to the minimum. 

What Is an LLC?

Unlike a disregarded entity, an LLC is an incorporated form of business that calls for state filing. As a result, you’ll get a separate business entity with its own legal framework independent of the enterprise owners. Speaking of which, while a sole proprietorship belongs to a single owner, LLCs can be owned by a single person or multiple persons. 

To continue, the number of LLC co-owners is not limited which makes it a perfect structure for small and growing businesses alike. You might start your venture alone and engage more partners on the way. This way, you get some leeway as to how to expand your enterprise or bring in added capital when it’s necessary.
​​If you are interested in creating an LLC, we recommend reading the detailed guide “How to start an llc” from LLC.Services

Top Benefits of an LLC for Programmers

The bigger your venture becomes, the higher profit you get and the higher risks you’ll have to face. If you start your programming business as a freelancer and think about setting up an LLC when getting to a higher business level, this formal structure has more than one benefit to offer:

• Liability protection screen: LLCs exist as independent entities that are not legally associated with their owners. Hence, as an owner, you won’t be personally liable for any business debts, financial or property-related problems, and lawsuits. Likewise, your own funds and property won’t be used to settle company issues; 
• Pass-through taxation: With an LLC, you’ll still enjoy the pass-through taxation of a disregarded entity. By paying business taxes on your individual tax return, you won’t have to pay a corporate income tax and avoid double taxation;
• Better market credibility: Operating under an LLC umbrella, you’ll look more professional and trustworthy on the market and in the eyes of potential customers, which is an especially big plus for newcomers;  
• More financing opportunities: Banks, credit agencies, and other financial organizations are more eager to give funds to registered legal entities. The same is true for investors that consider legal entities more reliable than unincorporated entities. 

LLC Tax Benefits and Options for Programmers

As stated above, while getting a separate legal entity like a corporation, you can still reap the benefits of pass-through taxation and pay business taxes at your personal tax rates. Thus, you avoid your profit being taxed twice. 

At the same time, though, LLCs boast taxation flexibility and allow you to choose an optimal taxation scheme. You can elect an S-Corp tax status for your business. You’ll be exempt from a self-employment tax and will be able to optimize other taxes to match growing business needs and growing profits.

Why a Sole Proprietorship/LLC May Not Be the Best for You?

A sole proprietorship will leave it all to you. You’ll be the one to gain all profits and you’ll be the one to tackle all legal and enterprise-related problems too. And it’s not only about your personal involvement but also about your own assets that could be legally seized to offset your enterprise debts and liabilities. 

With an LLC, there will be more formalities to handle both at the formation and at post-formation stages. However, the liability shield and tax opportunities you’ll get are well worth the hassle. 

Consult With a Business Professional

Before you make a final decision on which enterprise structure is better for your programming business, we strongly recommend that you consult with an experienced advisor and a tax expert. They will explain all the legal and taxation nuances to you and help you choose the legal framework that will best work for your individual situation. 

Conclusion

All in all, both enterprise forms have their own pluses and minuses. However, until you start making a high profit and need some sort of side financing, a sole proprietorship will get your smaller venture covered. However, once your business appetite increases and your enterprise grows to a higher level of income and complexity, think about switching to an LLC.

The post Sole Proprietorship vs LLC: Which Is Better for Programmers? appeared first on AppGen 2022.

What benefits have mobile banking apps given to users so far?

The ability to make financial transactions and payments through your phone and not leave your house is absolutely the best feature and benefit that we received from banks. Mobile banking apps have made our lives so much easier since we are paying our bills, sending money to other accounts, and paying our credits and loans through it. Additionally, some of the banks gave us a chance to connect other cards to banking as well, which made making payments through various cards even easier. You can send money to whomever you want in a matter of seconds and receive money to your account within a few minutes regardless of your location. But there are surely more benefits that can be provided by the banks through mobile banking.

Mobile banking app features that all should have

Starting from an intuitive and user-friendly interface, easy navigation, and mobile-friendly design, many mobile banking apps still suffer from finding the best solutions for this matter. It is a fact that the easier the user operates in the app, the more convenient it is to continue using that app. And due to poor navigational directions or frustrating fragmented experiences, many users give up on using the apps because it takes a lot of time to get used to them. For this, all the banks should consider having an intuitive and easy interface. Users should be able to move around the app efficiently and find whatever they are looking for with ease. Having an in-app search option can make it very easy for older people to find the features they are looking for in the app.

The second and another important feature should be secure sign-ins. With everything that’s going on in the world, specifically hackings, cyber thefts, and data violations, it is very important to make sure that signing in is secure. People should feel secure with this, as this kind of app keeps all the financial information. There can be fingerprint sign-ins, face identification, or secure passcodes. Mobile banking apps should make sure to deliver the safest security to their users.

Another key feature that can be a great opportunity for clients, is to be able to connect several bank cards to mobile banking. Many people have several bank cards but don’t want to have an app for each card. So being able to connect the card to one mobile banking gives them a chance to use their cards easily. Many people also look for different cards as many cards offer many services and have different privileges. There is a specific website called Bastakreditkort.se that allows people to compare the banks and cards and choose the best option depending on their needs. And when looking for a bank card that provides low annual fees, a lot of benefits, and an excellent bonus program, Norwegian Kreditkort or Resurs Bank Mastercard can be one of your choices. And now that you have several bank cards, having all of them in one mobile banking app would be a great advantage, wouldn’t it?

Having easy customer support in the app is also a great advantage. There can be 24/7 online chat support or a hotline, for people to be able to get their answers whenever they have issues. Another support option can be showing nearing ATMs. It may seem a simple feature, but it can help a lot while you are looking for an ATM outside. Having your phone location, the app can find the nearest ATM and send you the details.

In conclusion, we all can agree that mobile banking has changed our lives significantly. It would have been a lot harder for us to make our financial expenses and actions without them. And having more improved and developed app options would only give us an opportunity to expand our experiences with banks and mobile banking.

The post Mobile banking apps: the key to having a hustle-free and user-friendly banking app appeared first on AppGen 2022.

One thing that many people don’t realize about cryptocurrency is how fast it can change your financial situation! You may have heard horror stories about Bitcoin millionaires who got rich overnight- well you could be next! All you need to do is invest in a good cryptocurrency today.

However, there are some disadvantages to using cryptocurrencies in the IT industry. One of these is that it can be hard to find good wallets and Canadian cryptocurrency exchanges. Another disadvantage is that many people still don’t know how to use or invest in cryptocurrencies. Overall, however, cryptocurrency is a great way for businesses to save money and increase efficiency.

What Is Cryptocurrency and how it’s related to IT industry?

Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that is not regulated by any government or central bank. It uses cryptography to secure and validate transactions, which are then recorded in a public ledger called the Blockchain. The most popular form of cryptocurrency today is Bitcoin, with over 60% market share for all cryptocurrencies. To get started investing in crypto, you need an exchange where you can buy and sell your coins safely so it’s important to do some research before making your first investment!

Today, cryptocurrencies are taking the world by storm. With increased media attention and growing interest in digital currencies, these coins have garnered a lot of attention from investors who want to get their hands on this type of asset class before it’s too late. As you can see below, there is no sign that cryptocurrency investment will slow down anytime soon!

So what is cryptocurrency and how does it work? Cryptocurrencies are digital or virtual tokens that use cryptography to secure their transactions and to control the creation of new units. Bitcoin, created in 2009, was the first and is still the most popular cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies are decentralized- meaning they are not regulated by any government or central bank. Instead, each cryptocurrency is based on a peer-to-peer system where transactions are confirmed by nodes in the network and recorded in a public ledger known as the blockchain.

The most well-known application of Blockchain technology is Bitcoin, which was proposed to offer an alternative for national currencies that have no intrinsic value but only depend upon government regulation and trust. Bitcoin is created when computers “mine” for new bitcoins by solving complex mathematical problems. Miners are rewarded with bitcoins for their efforts. As of November 2017, there were almost 16 million bitcoins in circulation and the total supply will be capped at 21 million.

Cryptocurrencies have seen a surge in popularity in recent years as their prices have exploded exponentially. While your first instinct may be to run for the hills, don’t forget that you’ve actually got a golden opportunity here! Investing in cryptocurrency can seem intimidating at first- but this guide will walk you through it step by step so even if you’re completely new to investing, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give it a try.

Tips for investing in crypto

So what are some tips for investing in cryptocurrency safely? Here are a few things to keep in mind:

-Do your research! Make sure you understand how the cryptocurrency you’re investing in works and what makes it unique. For example, Bitcoin is based on blockchain technology while Ethereum uses smart contracts.

-Don’t invest more than you’re willing to lose! Cryptocurrencies are still relatively new and unproven, so there is always risk involved when investing.

-Only invest what you can afford to lose! Don’t dip into your life savings or borrow money to invest in crypto. Remember, it’s still a high-risk investment.

-Use the dollar cost averaging method. Instead of putting all your eggs in one basket, consider using the “dollar-cost averaging” strategy to build a portfolio gradually over time. This is where you divide your investment into smaller parts and make regular investments at consistent intervals (e.g., every month or quarter).

-Understand what exchange you are using! Make sure the exchange you’re using is reputable and has a good track record. There have been numerous cases of exchanges being hacked, so do your homework before trusting your money to anyone.

-Be prepared for price swings! Cryptocurrencies are incredibly volatile and can experience large price swings in a short period of time. Don’t be surprised if the value of your investment goes up and down frequently.

Now that you know a little bit more about cryptocurrency, it’s time to take the plunge! Head over to an exchange and start investing today. And remember- always do your research before making any decisions!

The post Why Crypto and IT Connect appeared first on AppGen 2022.

Benefits and advantages of advergames

If you want to promote your company and its products, you can easily do it with a well-designed, customized, and target-oriented brand game. That way, you easily communicate with your customers and find the perfect buyer for your products. Branded games can also help you creatively introduce your new products, increase the brand presence among your audience, share more company awareness, show your online existence. But most importantly branded games can bring even more benefits to your companies. Many brands use this kind of advertising to collect data from their users, which can later be used for newsletters, special offers, and other mailing systems. Moreover, with branded games, you can evaluate the demands of your products in the market, test new ideas, and bring an increase in your sales.

With advergames, you can offer your consumers to experience a unique service from your company, where they can get entertained and learn more about your brand. Whether you decide to have a mobile advergame, web-based game, or any other form of an advergame, your customers can be excited to interact with the information in it and boost your customer engagement.

Branded game types

The digital industry has a lot of options for branded games, but the purpose of the games is the same for all companies – to increase customer engagement and bring more sales. And showing company products in a fun, creative, and unique way can be perfectly done in so many different forms.

The first branded video type that comes to one’s mind is mini-games. This type of game is short, easy-to-play, with no specific or difficult rules.

Many companies use this type of game to give special privileges to customers while they play the game. For instance, they can provide a discount for customers playing the game or a special gift if they engage more people in the game. This way, many companies can also collect user data to check the statistics and find their target audience. This kind of data collection is being done publicly, without any violations. So if you are filling in your personal details before or after playing the game, you should always understand that you are delivering that data to the company.

Another game type that you can normally find on social platforms or company websites is slot games. There are specific brands that find slot games the best choice for their branded advergames. With this type of game, brands always want to expand their company awareness and advertise their products. They also come with awards. Just like slot games in sports and bettings, many companies give rewards to customers who succeed in the spinnings. Normally the game allows three spins, and in case of getting a combination of symbols in the right position, customers can win a reward in a discount form or a free gift.

With slot games, companies can show their branding and products. And while customers play the game, they get acquainted with the products and offers.

Another excellent choice for a branded game can be with augmented reality. With AR technology, you can layer many elements on real objects and make an interactive and unique way for your clients to get acquainted with the products. So people can place their smartphones close to the product and find more information about the brand. This way, customers grow their grasp of the brand and in many cases, become more eager to interact with the brand.

There are so many ways to promote your brand and bring more sales to your company. And branded advergames are certainly one of the most fun and efficient ways to do that. With this type of advertising, you can engage more younger generations if they are your target audience. And with this kind of approach, your company can absolutely be more unique and stand out among your competitors in the market. So you can always consider branded games while deciding on new marketing and advertising approaches.

The post Branded games: are they an effective advertising option? appeared first on AppGen 2022.