Category: Industry

Internet has expanded its horizons and cloud computing is one such internet based computing system which meets the requirement of the user on demand basis, involving the duration of the service used. Retail industry which is growing at a fast pace is embracing this concept of internet computing. Cloud Computing India is a pioneer in this field providing service and support to its clients, eventually leading to a drastic reduction in their operation and IT cost.

Cloud Computing

The word cloud has been derived from the cloud symbol that represents the internet in a programmed flowchart. Cloud computing is a form of internet computing where shared servers provide resources, software and data to computers and other devices on demand. Cloud computing can be classified into software as a service (SaaS), Platform as a service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a service (IaaS). One has to subscribe for cloud computing for organizing installations and data customizations. Software giants like Google, Microsoft etc. have embraced cloud computing.

With cloud computing a retailer has to just purchase rights to use software’s on a need basis instead of buying a copy of the software for each computer in the firm. This is referred to as SaaS.

Retail Industry and Cloud Computing

Retailers are always on the lookout for increasing their efficiency and reducing the cost. Retailers are constantly faced with ever increasing applications with overlapping functions. When retailers enter new market segment complexity increases and the cost of IT also goes up. India Cloud Computing comes to your assistance in this scenario.

Retailers can save a lot by subscribing to cloud computing. A lot of our expenditure on IT management can be cut through this. We see retailers trying hard to maintain ten and thousands of computers in different locations. We can completely avoid the complexity of keeping and managing individual system through this. The traditional model of computing in the retail industry included buying software’s and its license, high end servers with high computing powers. By subscribing to Cloud Computing India services administration and networking of computers can be avoided, there is no requirement for storage units and no need to install firewall and antivirus protections.

A cloud computing provider can give analytical results to its retailer by identifying the trend, seasonality component of each product, brand or category and identify and monitor the performance. A retailer collects large sales data from the point of sale which if analyzed can give us an insight about the trend and demand of the customers. Due to the incompatibility between volumes of data and the processing power of the system these sales data get underutilized. Cloud provider uses high power computing resources to analyze these sales data in a much shorter time. Cloud Computing is definitely a boon to the retail industry as it not only reduces IT management cost but also contributes significantly towards inventory management.

The Sunglasses Stores Industry has already begun its recovery from the economic storm. According to IBISWorld, the nations largest publisher of industry research, improving consumer sentiment and favourable demographics have helped bolster sales, benefiting companies like Luxottica Group and National Vision Inc. Revenue in the industry is expected to grow over the next five years which will be supported by higher projected household incomes and an improved sense of financial stability. For this reason, industry research firm IBISWorld has added a report on the Sunglasses Stores Industry to its growing Apparel & Accessories Stores report collection

Sales of sunglasses during the past five years have been particularly sensitive to drops in consumer confidence, as sunglasses are more of an optional purchase than prescription eye glasses. However, IBISWorld forecasts the sunglasses stores industry to rebound supported by higher projected household incomes and an improved sense of financial stability over the next five years.

Growth in the sunglasses stores industry will be driven by increasing awareness of the useful benefits and the style appeal of these accessories. Prior to the recession of 2008 and 2009, strong economic growth and easy access to credit enabled consumers to purchase sunglasses as a fashion accessory. The sunglasses market is typically distinguished by price and function, and classified into premium and value segments. According to IBISWorld analyst, Nikoleta Panteva, the premium segment has grown faster than the value segment in the five years to 2011. The fashion aspect also contributes to shorter replacement cycles and volatile sales, as styles and consumers’ financial capacity to spend change frequently.

To provide convenience for consumers, as well as to create brand awareness, sunglass stores aim to be located in high shopping traffic areas or near ophthalmic specialists. The industry remains fragmented through small retail chains and independent locations. Italian firm Luxottica Group and National Vision Inc. are the industry’s largest operators. Luxottica is a vertically integrated network of manufacturing plants, distribution operations and retail outlets. In the US Luxottica Group operates mainly through its Sunglass Hut and Oakley O locations.

Breadth and depth of product selection is also an important consideration. An appropriate product mix should tailor to match the demographic composition of the store’s market. Stores located in regions or states with a relatively higher income earning clientele should stock branded as well as private label frames, lenses, accessories and sunglasses. Additionally, stores are increasingly focusing on integrating services, such as eye exams, frame fitting, and purchasing advice to adapt to consumers’ demands for one-stop shopping.

In all fields of business and life, everybody these days is concerned about the environment and saving our planet by adopting greener ways of doing things. Going green is a tough job in almost all spheres and it is even tougher in the case of trucking industry. This is because diesel fueling is the lifeline of the trucking industry and every truck runs on the road delivering goods world over with the billions of gallons of diesel consumption. However, many carrier and trucking companies have come up with greener solutions to manage the increasing carbon emissions causing environmental hazards.
The heavy duty 18 wheeler truck manufactured are highly competent these days. Their efficiency has improved manifolds, thus attaining more loads available being delivered with lesser fuel being consumed. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is setting up standards to make this move more successful and to ensure that there is a governing body to keep a check on the trucking activities that are harmful for the environment. Trucking industry is the backbone of US economy therefore more planned and smaller operational changes would be largely beneficial.
Some of the ways that will help control the carbon emissions are:

Slow Down: Speed Reduction is the most simple and effective way. If the speed limit is set to 65 mph, then the fuel mileage can be improved as well as fuel can be saved. This move can save up to 27 percent of fuel as against with the speed limit of 75 mph and the carbon emission around 31.5 million tons could be reduced.
Engine Maintenance: The long hail drivers who use their trucks to sleep through the nights and resting hours can make use of the Truck auxiliary units or truck stop electrification systems to heat or cool their trucks. This way they will save the diesel consumption which they otherwise used while idling the truck.
Driving Behavior: A little change in the driving habits of a driver can save up to 5-10% of the fuel consumed. Soft and timely shifting of gears, avoiding sudden break and sharp starts proves helpful in this regard. These steps make truck driver jobs more responsible towards nature.
Accessories and Equipments: Low viscosity lubricants can be used to reduce friction and thus use lesser fuel energy. Monitoring tire pressure regularly is yet another efficient step towards fuel-economy. Many companies who can afford a little expenditure have installed aerodynamic panels on their trailers and have replaced the old polluting engines with new more environment friendly engines.

Many trucking companies have joined the move already and others plan to do so very soon. EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership is also becoming hugely popular among the transportation industry. This is a joint initiative by EPA and Freight Industry experts to combat the environmental risks associated with trucking jobs. SmartWay assists companies in measuring the carbon emission by their fleets and to track the steps to achieve long term results.

Networking is a huge key to success in any industry but especially in the wedding industry where referrals and alliances formed can help keep business booming when a recession looms overhead. Are you a wedding photographer, floral designer, wedding reception site, ceremony site, DJ, wedding videographer, wedding cake designer, bridal salon, bridal consultant, or wedding caterer? If so, read on because if you’re not already part of an industry association, you may want to think about joining.
There are quite a few wedding industry associations . Many are national associations with regional branch offices. They typically hold monthly meetings and mixers where members can network and get to know one another. Business ideas are shared as to what is working and what is not working in terms of booking weddings. The associations that will be covered include: the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC), Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI), Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), Association for Wedding Professionals International (AWPI), National Association of Catering Executives (NACE), International Special Events Society (ISES), and the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).
The Association of Bridal Consultants is a great resource for bridal consultants. A few benefits of joining the ABC include their comprehensive Professional Development Program, job placement service, business name search,advertising to brides on a national level, referrals, seminars, and local meetings.
The Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) is a great marketing and networking association for wedding photographers. Some reasons for joining them include: attendance at WPPI’s Annual Convention & Trade Show, WPPI’s Referral Network can bring your wedding photograph business added photography assignments through their referral site, group buying rates and services.
The Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) represents the best wedding photographers from around the world. The WPJA sponsors seminars, conventions, and workshops geared towards wedding photojournalism. The WPJA also provides a listing of its members for brides to search from.
The Association for Wedding Professionals International (AWPI) strives to strengthen the wedding industry through networking, marketing and promotions. Your wedding business will be listed in their online and print directory. You will receive a monthly lead list of brides that have requested a directory or assistance, can participate in their networking mixers, and referrals through their wedding hotline.

The National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) provides the catering business with industry specific education, networking with other professionals, seminars, conferences, and awards programs, internationally recognized professional certification, and a listing in their directory.
The International Special Events Society (ISES) provides its members with professional development and education, a listing in their directory, networking parties, local meetings, and subscription to their Special Events Magazine. This association is great for event planners but has members in all sectors of the wedding industry.
The American institute of Floral Designers (AIFD) is a great association for wedding floral designers. It is a great resource for brides to find a wedding floral designer in their local area. Members have access to floral designs, floral shows, and accreditation programs.

Almost all of us who have anything to do with pleasure boats, wonder how is the boat market going to be in the future? Where is it going from here? Do pleasure boats have any future? Will the trend of owning and selling boats be a larger market or smaller due to world’s economy. What will particularly happen in Asia? Which country will be the major boat market? China, India, Indonesia perhaps? Importantly what steps should be taken today, in order to create a better market in these countries.
In Hongkong, we are realizing the obvious saturation of boating market and almost all dealers and global manufacturers of boats are pointing towards China and India. Making these 2 countries the biggest potential boating markets.
Lets talk about China first and realize that in 2005 we had big hopes for the boating business in China, we thought that the boating industry would be huge by the year 2010. Well, we are in 2010 now and China clearly has not picked up to that level of prediction, so the market is still slower than what the lot of industry experts had predicted. The reason behind that is China’s rules and regulations in pleasure boat industry. Taxation and licensing rules are very unclear in China. The rules are different for different states in China and for new boats there is a 40% tax.

Infrastructure and development speed in China however, is fantastic. But there are very few pleasure boats that are floating on the waters of China. There are definitely buyers for a high end yachts, but the maintenance is still difficult and costly. People are prepared to pay to own a luxury yacht but they are not willing to put a lot of time, over spend on maintenance, pay high taxes and go through long procedures to acquire licenses. Some marina clubs in China are now assisting in providing necessary licenses for their members, but it is not cheap. Another way the Buyers handle this issue, is by simply keeping and using their boats in Hongkong. This obviously overcrowds HK’s marinas and does not help much to boost sales into China.

A way to overcome this issue and in order to create better regulations in future, is for brokers in Hong Kong to sell more low priced and good quality used boats into China. If dealers stop hunting for high end clients and direct more marketing towards the younger and median rich clientele, It will create a lot more pleasure boats in the waters of China. The market will surely respond. Forbes list of 2010 confirms that there are 64 billionaires in China, however, a point to note that there are over 900,000 people whose net worth is more than 10 million RMB. Majority of these people are younger than 39. Even a larger and younger population exist, who are up to 5 million RMB worth.

There are definitely more number of people who are willing to spend a small amount of money initially for a boating venture. Since boating lifestyle is not very common for China, the importance should be given to bringing more boats into China, which are not very expensive and are good in quality.
This can fill the marinas, force the management to grow and also provide decent opportunities for shipyards to work.
It will also force government to look into creating manageable regulations and taxing, and if the growth of this concept is healthy, this will undoubtedly create a friendlier and hassle free market for the high end yacht buyers. In any case, China will have a large boating market, but to make it earlier than later, depends on our actions today.
Lets talk about India.
One of the biggest advantages India has is that Indian mentality and lifestyle is very adaptable to western lifestyle. India adapts and accepts ideas, culture and products from the west very easily. High number of Indian population speaks in English. Almost everyone understands English. If you are a non-Indian company, you can easily find educated work force in India. It is also easy to set up a service centre and to train workers due to India’s language capabilities and educated population.
GDP growth of India is currently 7.2%, The country is ranking no.5 in the billionaires list and India currently holds approximately 200,000 millionaires with net worth of USD 1 million to 10 million, and a larger population of people that are worth slightly less. India’s upper middle class population is expected to grow about 10 times in the next 10-15 years.
But here are the set backs! India’s politics is a chaos, corruption exists in many sectors and things become inefficient.
Major concern is that the infrastructure growth is slow. Due to corruption and differences in political groups, it is difficult to commence any kind of infrastructure. The marina which was due to be built more than 5 years ago in south of India is still not ready. Therefore the speed of development of marinas is a lot slower than China. Boat owners still do not have berthing facilities in India.
On a positive note, being the world’s largest democracy the rules and regulations are flexible and with its plus points, if the luxury boat business does reach a good start like having few working marinas and few decent boats. Indian market for boats will see faster growth than of China’s boating market.
The dealers of boats in India also need to market cheaper and quality yachts for bigger clientele. More boat chartering businesses also can boost the industry in this initial stage.
I am also sure it wont be too long until I can have hassle free cruises in the waters of India and China.

by Baggy Sartape
For more info on boats www.asia-boating.com