Category: Tips

Technology should help your business grow, not hinder it. If your Lismore business needs a digital enhancement that can transform your operation, call Devpro for a realistic, scalable, and functional solution.

Custom Software Development in Lismore

Don’t choose a software solution that you need to change your business to adapt to, choose a company that will tailor a software solution to your Lismore business.

With a team of digital specialists, we can find a software development solution that works with your business that grows and adapts with your business.

Custom Application Development in Lismore

Software Consultants in Lismore

Off the shelf software can only take your business so far, when you want a software system that grows with your business, adapts to your business, and is an integral part of your business, then talk to Devpro. A customised software solution doesn’t need to cost the earth, our consultants can find affordable and customisable applications to suit your business.

Your Lismore Business Software Consultants

Our team of software consultants are seasoned professionals that pull their years of experience together to find unique and out of the box solutions to suit your Lismore business.

Web Applications for Your Lismore Business

When it comes to creating a web app for your business, we look ensure that the app has everything you need, with the user in mind. We tailor our apps to ensure they are intuitive, user friendly, and quick.

Mobile Applications for your Lismore Business

Most people use their mobile phones for their internet searches, so it makes sense that your business has a mobile friendly business app. Devpro can provide your Lismore business with a high-quality mobile app that provides the user a seamless experience.

Systems Integrations in Lismore

A business can have many moving parts and one system might not be suitable; an integrated software solution from Devpro can help your business work seamlessly, and more effectively.

SharePoint for your Lismore Business

Having a Sharepoint means that no matter where you or your employees are, you all have live access to the same information, working together apart has never been easier.

A SharePoint is a great way to pool resources and save time and money. Talk to the team at Devpro and get an integrated information management system that will streamline your information sharing.

Document Management Specialists that are here for your Lismore Business

Being organised with your documentation has never been easier, Devpro can help make your documentation management efficient and easy to search.

It’s All About Your Lismore Business

Devpro can enhance your Lismore business; we can develop, and project manage a system that is perfectly tailored to your business needs.

Call 1300 911 601 and speak to the professionals at Devpro; we listen to you and learn about your business so we can provide the best solution.

From all the team at Devpro, Happy New Year!

Life as we knew has changed. Gone are the days of looking for phone numbers in the yellow pages (for most of us) and firing up the desktop to search for your local restaurant, plumber or electrician is almost unheard of.

In 2021 we have everything we need in the palm of our hands. Smartphones are used to communicate, to Tik Tok, to shop, review, research, and all manner of things. Whilst other devices are used, it is commonplace to pull out your phone on the bus, in a queue, or simply when relaxing on the couch to get easy access to information.

Is it apt to have an app in 2021?

So, if your business does not have an easy-to-use mobile app, how much business are you missing out on?

It is no secret that apps increase customer engagement and can help generate new business, but there are some simple rules you need to follow in order to get maximum bang for your buck.

A slow to load app has a significantly high bounce rate which not only loses customers it can be a red flag with Google algorithms.

Having an app is not enough, you need an engaging app that loads well, and is easy to use and navigate; Devpro in Byron Bay has the skills, expertise, and knowledge to provide your business with a solution that will drive business and yield sales.

Want to know how to boost sales?

2020 saw the world change, people were in lockdown and unable to visit the shops, and online sales boomed, grab a part of it with an app from Devpro.

Online is the not the future, it is the now! Do not wait, call your local Byron Bay App development specialists today.

Did you know that Australia has one of the largest penetrations of mobile usage in the world?

When you consider that our mobile phones have essentially become mobile computers it seems only natural that to be a competitive and viable business that you’d need a mobile friendly application.

Our Mobile Phones have become Mobile Computers

Our phones are used for the telling the time, messaging, social media, looking up the news, shopping, checking what our lunch options are and so much more, so getting a mobile app isn’t as much of an added benefit to a business these days as it is a must.

Having a mobile app, and having a good mobile app makes all the difference; the user experience is paramount. Bounce rates from a site increase with every passing second, and anything over 3 – 4 seconds experiences a high bounce rate; we’re in the age of instant access to information and if your mobile app isn’t up to scratch the user will simply move on to one that is.

Devpro take the mobile app journey with you. We discuss what you want to achieve from your mobile app and design a solution around your business. We look at your branding, your offering, and we ensure that your customers can easily navigate their way around. Designing and developing digital solutions that engage people is what we do; we can take your concept through to fruition.

A mobile app needs to be engaging, the user needs the experience to be enjoyable and easy. An intuitive app that easily guides you through makes the user experience much more friendly, thus much more engaging.

Not sure what you want from your mobile app?

That’s ok, Devpro can help. We work with our clients to ensure you have the most effective mobile app for your business; we draw on years of experience and a wealth of knowledge, so you know you’re in good hands.

Devpro partner with their clients to provide easy to navigate, technical solutions that are enjoyable to use, and we commit to delivering our solutions on-time and on-budget.

Why settle for less, if you’re in Brisbane, on the Gold Coast and Byron Bay call the specialists at Devpro today?

Microsoft Office365 Co-authoring

Co-authoring is an Microsoft feature enabled when editing documents which are stored in OneDrive or Microsoft SharePoint Online. Co-authoring enables multiple people to work on a document at the same time by locking down individual paragraphs to the user who is editing them and updating the document in real time via the autosave feature.  Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned and we have a few tips to improve your experience co-authoring documents in Office 365.

Ensure Autosave is switched ON

Autosave is the feature which provides the real time updates while co-authoring documents in OneDrive or SharePoint online. As such Autosave should be switched on while attempting to edit a Word, Excel, or PowerPoint document simultaneously with another person. If you are using an Office 365 subscription you can find the AutoSave feature in the upper-left corner of your Office application.

Enabling AutoSave ensures co-authoring is enabled

Use the same version

Older versions of Microsoft Office don’t support co-authoring and if you attempt to use an older version the other editors will be locked out of the document.

Technically co-authoring has been supported since Office 2010 but to ensure trouble free use we recommend that everyone update to the latest MS Office application versions.

Use the latest document formats

Older or certain document file types do not support co-authoring so ensure the document is saved in the correct format:

Excel : xlsx, .xlsm or .xlsb

Word: .docx, .doc or .docm

PowerPoint .pptx, .ppt or .pps

There may be slightly different editing experiences across the document formats listed above however all these document types should be able to be edited simultaneously by multiple people.

Not all features support co-authoring

Co-authoring may stop working if incompatible features are enabled in the document you are editing.  You should disable these features to resume co-authoring capability.

Change tracking is a feature which is not supported by co-authoring and so makes sure its not enabled for co-authoring sessions.

Certain objects contained within the document are also not supported like an ole object, SmartArt graphic, chart or link object. Sometimes these unsupported objects can be hidden inside the document, to find them go to Home > Select > Selection Panel.

Selection Pane in the MS Office ribbon

Is the document open in another application?

Other applications which do not support co-authoring may lock the document if opened. In some cases, this can just be file explorer, 3^rd party document editors or viewers or document services on your computer. The best practice is to communicate with your team when you are starting a co-authoring session and ensure nobody else is using it in other applications.

Saving issues and conflicts

On the occasion you may get a message ‘Refresh recommended’ or ‘Upload failed’. This happens for several reasons but its dilligent to know how to resolve it without losing any work:

If you do not have any unsaved changes, click ‘Refresh’.

If you have unsaved changes that you do not need to keep,  click ‘Discard changes’.

For stuff that you need to keep, choose ‘Save a Copy’ and save the file to a different location (e.g. your computer). Then reopen the cloud version of the file and merge your changes from the locally saved file into the original file.

Enable ‘Store random numbers’

MS Word needs the store random numbers feature to be enabled for co-authoring. Word uses random numbers saved within documents to track related versions.

To check confirm if store random numbers is enabled, click the File tab > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Privacy Options. Ensure the ‘Store random numbers to improve Combine accuracy’ checkbox is enabled.

Select ‘Store random numbers to improve Combine accuracy’ to ensure co-authoring will operate correctly.

We hope these tips will improve your co-authoring experience.

Everyone likes to get a bargain, but there are many things in life where you get what you pay for. When it comes to the code required to write your customized website, integrated proprietary software, or advanced web or mobile app—paying less might sound attractive, but in most cases leaves you paying more.

Code Is Not A DIY Option

The fact of the matter is, that yes—you can teach yourself to write code that “works.” However, the coding skills required to create the multi-functional software required to achieve your business goals can’t be achieved with DIY code. Not just that, but the time you invest trying to learn how to do it yourself will be wasted. You will save money by hiring a professional. That being said, please keep reading.

Quality Code And Proprietary Software Is Expensive

Cheap, quick, and dirty code is often dated, sloppy, and the functions are limited. To upgrade your code to the point of efficiency, you will need to make an investment. Your substantial upfront investments ensures that your code is integrated with your industry software, designed to be upgraded as your business grows, and will be implemented correctly. Again, your quality code will save you (and make you) more money in the long run.

Code Is An Evolving Foreign Language

To the average person code looks like gibberish, but to someone who knows their stuff, they can instantlyspot if code is basic and limited or true quality coding. As with all things digital, and as how we utilize software and digital products continue to evolve—so do coding practices. This means you need an expert who stays at the forefront of all industry advances. As with all professionals, you can’t find an expert for less.

Quality Code Brings Your Innovations To Life

Why limit your business to industry software or cookie-cutter web templates? If you have ever wished that your industry software could do more, that your mobile computing options were improved, or if you have a vision for a game-changing new digital product—quality custom code is a must! With custom code, you can bring your innovations to life. From integrated web and mobile apps designed to improve communication and optimize workflow, to advanced analytics, proprietary digital products, and more. The sky truly is the limit, so expect to invest in your new software.

Go Big Or Go Home

If you find a website whose advanced features and functions serve as inspiration for your new design and development, consider their upfront investment. For example, when getting a quote for an Airbnb style website—you might be tempted to go for the $30,000 quote over the $60,000, or $100,000 quotes you have received. Yes, $30,000 is a substantial investment—but when it comes to launching a new product or business, not so much.

Digital Security Must Be Built-In

The sensitive company, client, and employee data stored electronically within your new software can be detrimental to your brand and business. Whether internal or external, your users expect secure login, purchase, data storage, and mobile experience. It’s unlikely that your quick and cheap code will meet even the minimum digital security standards.

Ask The Right Questions And Really Listen

It’s tricky knowing what to ask, because code is not your area of expertise. Think of code like you would other high-value investments. For example, most homeowners would rather pay for quality home maintenance and repairs—than quick fixes or poor craftsmanship that won’t last.

Aside from the quote, you must ask your potential designer the right questions. The goal is to ensure that they fully comprehend the features and functions, as well as the goals your new software must achieve. Then, you must really listen to their answers. A quality coder will offer suggestions on how to improve and build upon your ideas, and will speak primarily to quality, integration, security, and the ease of upgrading your software as your needs evolve. A coder who just wants the job will talk less about the details, and more about their “competitive” price.

You Get What You Pay For

If you expect your cheap coder to fix their issues for free, think again. While the price point may be attractive, it may also be a sign that your prospect doesn’t really know their stuff. And once your software is complete, good luck getting your bargain hire to “fix” the things they forgot—at least not for free. A quality coder quotes you on the price required to achieve your goals, and is dedicated to ensuring your final delivery exceeds your expectations.

I can’t tell you how many times I have heard stories of businesses who have tried to save money by hiring the least expensive designer they can find, only to end up starting from scratch, and spending significantly more time and resources in the long run. When it comes to custom software design, development, and implementation—pay more to have it done right!