More and more businesses are moving their information systems towards web applications which are reliable and secure. Since data is stored in the cloud, your data is always safe; even if your computer is stolen or a virus wipes your entire hard drive, the valuable data that your business depends on can be accessed via any internet browser. In addition to being reliable, web applications can be extremely secure when they are deployed on secure servers and accessed using secure connection protocols; online banking is proof of this.

Web applications are the perfect medium to streamline data from different sources. They can connect to various types of databases and seamlessly integrate them together to give the user the functionality required. For example your customer data on Salesforce.com can be accessed by another application such as Freshbooks for bookkeeping purposes or accessed by a reporting application to generate various reports and graphs.

Another great feature of web applications is their ease of use. Web applications are usually more user friendly than desktop based software. Web application developers know that they are building tools that thousands or sometimes millions of people will be using. Therefore, they focus on building friendly and simple user interfaces that everyone can use. Think of online banking or Facebook — did you need training or a lengthy manual to use these?

Lastly, web applications can be fully customized to meet your business needs. Web application development is affordable and it is the best option if your business need is unique and you cannot find an existing solution in the market. Custom web applications can be built rapidly using existing frameworks and libraries without sacrificing any functionality or usability. Custom applications are tailored to meet your business needs and workflow. They are a perfect fit for your business, similar to when you have a custom suit made for you. These applications are also easily maintained and updated without the need for you to install anything. You also don’t need to update to the new version each year like your desktop software. Learn about Paltech Solutions web development services.

Since we all love going to the movie theater, I will compare and contrast the following applications: Flixter’s Movies, Now Playing, Movies Now, and Showtimes. All of these applications have the same core functionality. Where they differ is the extra features and usability. All these apps are free and provide users with show times and theater locations. Hopefully after reading this guide you will be able to decide which app to use to keep up-to-date on all movie info.

Showtimes

Showtimes is definitely the most bare boned application of them all. It allows users to see theaters nearby along with the movies they are playing and times. Each movie has a synopsis and there are links to their corresponding web pages in rotten tomatoes and IMDB. The interface is simple and does not look as nice as the others. It does map out directions, but it is not integrated into the application.

PROS: Simple interface, Google Directions

CONS: Aesthetically unpleasing, no integration with movie databases (links to web browser), no buying feature

Movieshow

Movieshows provides a few more features than Showtimes in a much nicer interface. In fact, the design of the app is the most appealing of all. It contains the same features as Showtimes with a more intuitive user interface and the additional of some extra features such as buying tickets.

PROS: Aesthetically pleasing – best interface and buying tickets feature

CONS: Not fully integrated with rotten tomatoes or other movie databases, mapping not as intuitive, core features only

Now Playing

Now Playing has the second most features including viewing and writing reviews. It contains all the features from the one above, with a better design and more features. The application also gives information on upcoming DVDs. The only problem with Now Playing is that it contains a lot of information and it could have been organized better.

PROS: Lots of feature, good integration with movie databases, reviews

CONS: User interface is not as simple as others

Flixter’s Movies

Flixter’s Movies is the first application I tried and it is definitely the best one. Not only it contains every piece of information you might need about a movie (popularity, reviews, showtimes, location, description, actors information, facebook connect, ticket buying, trailers), but it also has a clever design that is very intuitive and easy to use. The full integration with the rotten tomatoes database really helps make this application stand out from the competition.

PROS: Plethora of good features, intuitive design

CONS: None that I can find.

Well there you have it, that’s my review of the main movie apps.  Leave your comments below with your opinion about these apps or any other ones you like to use.

The IT industry is moving towards cloud computing and thin client applications. Many big players in this field such as SAP are working towards creating web-based equivalents for their server based systems. There is also a big growth in the mobile software development as companies are investing in Smartphone accessible Information Systems for their employees.

For the consumer market, it’s all about Smartphones and the various apps available for the leading platforms. Consumers, in particular the younger Net Generation, love to stay connected with friends through social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs…). Even in their daily jobs, they use social media tools to connect to the world to find the information they need to perform their daily tasks.

Going back to the iPad, knowing that IT industry as a whole is moving towards mobile/cloud-computing, and consumers are becoming more and more addicted to social media, the iPad is well positioned since it allows for developers to create applications that consumers, businesses, and educational institutions will greatly benefit from. For users, the iPad is extremely powerful since it allows them to do what they like while holding the internet in their hands.

In conclusion, it is very important to notice these trends and keep your company up to date to take advantage of the new market opportunities.

Happy Easter Long Weekend!
Amin Palizban

President, Paltech Solutions Inc.
Twitter: @AminPali @paltechsolns

PS. Read below for information related to iPad Application Development:

A good iPad application can be an excellent way to improve your company’s brand awareness because of the device’s novelty and innovation. Furthermore, the iPad’s new features provide the opportunity to release new or improved consumer and business apps.

Most iPad applications can be developed in about a month and approved into the App Store in two weeks.  The App Store allows developers to easily market and distribute their applications. It has already exceeded 3 billion downloads worldwide.

Obtain information on our iPhone and iPad Application Development services.

Yelp (Free)

Don’t know where to go eat, dancing, or drinking? No worries! Plan your trip based on location, occasion, or time of day. The Yelp application lets users find businesses according to their preferences based on location. It also provides plenty of reviews and other features such as augmented reality.

HearPlanet ($4.99)

HearPlanet is an iPhone application that maps the nearest landmarks and attractions based on the user’s location. It provides valuable information about the different sites including an audio guide. With more than 250,000 audio guides for various landmarks in different cities it is highly recommended for folks who travel frequently, but still useful for those who vacation only once a year.

Airsharing ($4.99 , Pro $9.99)

Airsharing lets users take their documents on the go. The application allows users to download their documents to their iPhone wirelessly or through USB and access them later. This application is perfect not only for business on the road but also for viewing important travelling documents such as itineraries, to-do lists, and maps.

Weathereye (Free)

During your stay, good weather might be crucial to your plans. Stay up to date with weather news on your mobile phone and plan your trip accordingly.

FligthTrackPro ($9.99)

This application is great to keep track of your flights and get real time updates. Once you set up your account, you email your itinerary to plans@tripit.com and it will appear in the application within minutes. The app gives you valuable information about the flight such as departure gate and time. Finally, it pushes notifications on the day of flight to keep you updated of any changes.

Skype (Free)

Make phone calls without paying for roaming or international prices. The Skype application allows users to use a Wi-Fi connection to make phone calls to landlines and mobile devices.

“In today’s economic environment, it is more important than ever that all Canadians develop the skills they need to participate and succeed in the job market,” said Minister Day. “Our government is proud to support projects that offer post-secondary graduates the opportunity to develop the skills and gain experience that will help them reach their full potential in their chosen fields.”

“Paltech Solutions Inc. is pleased to be participating in the Career Focus program,” said Mr. Amin Palizban, President, Paltech Solutions Inc. “Canada’s economy is rapidly changing, and skilled youth, if trained and guided correctly, are the engines for innovation to support Canada’s world-class technology sector. The Career Focus program creates a win-win opportunity that allows companies to benefit from passionate young workers, and allows recent graduates to develop invaluable employment skills that are crucial to the growth of Canadian industries.”

For further information (media only):

Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
Government of Canada
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559

Paltech Solutions Inc. is a market leader in business intelligence, information systems and Microsoft Access and Excel solutions for streamlining business workflow. Between November 30, 2009, and May 28, 2010, the company will provide recent post-secondary graduates with career-related experience. Participants will be involved in the creation of powerful business intelligence and analytics tools, as well as the execution of a comprehensive sales and marketing

Paltech Solutions is currently working with PepsiCo to develop a wizard type application that walks the employee through the process step-by-step.

The application has a friendly graphical user interface that verifies entered data and notifies user when the information is invalid. There is also the functionality to easily create print-friendly summary reports.

PepsiCo is a world leader in convenient snacks, foods and beverages with revenues of more than $39 billion and over 185,000 employees in 2008. The QTG division of PepsiCo includes Quaker, Tropicana, and Gatorade brands.

Paltech Solutions is currently working with ERA and developing a company wide Information System that is used for Inventory Management, Client Relationship Management, and Executive Decision Support. The system includes various reports and a management dashboard for
monitoring company Key Performance Indicators (KPI)

ERA (ecosystem restoration associates) is a Vancouver based carbon offsetting company that works with Municipalities, First Nations and other landowners to restore degraded ecosystems. ERA allows companies, governments, and individuals to reduce their carbon footprints by purchasing carbon offsets.

Kroger needed assistance with its strategic planning database that would be shared between various divisions. Apart from having well structured data tables, Kroger needed to implement Allocation, Capital, and Project summary reports.

Paltech Solutions is currently working with Kroger to design this system that will be used by various users in different location.

The Kroger Co.  is the second-largest grocery retailer in the US with fiscal 2008 sales of $76.0 billion.

Testimonial:

“We have been very pleased with the level of customer service and technical expertise that Paltech has provided on this project. In working with the Paltech analysts, we found them to be courteous, professional, responsive and thorough in helping us define our requirements and deliver a product to meet the user needs. “

Paltech Solutions created an easy-to-use database system for Myers and Fuller to store client and case specific information. The system also produces detailed reports, mailing labels, and specific exports.

Myers and Fuller is a law firm based in Tallahassee, Florida that represents automobile, truck and motorcycle dealers in complex commercial transactions, business disputes, operational issues and litigation

HZDG contacted Paltech and explained how their inefficient monthly reporting procedure took their staff days to complete. The work was also extremely tedious and frustrating to perform.

Paltech Solutions analyzed HZDG’s problem and suggested an automated system that would create the reports in seconds rather than days. The solution reduced HZDG’s operating costs and increased satisfaction among staff.

Hirshon Zuckerman Design Group, HZDG, is a fully integrated design and marketing company based in Rockville, Maryland.

Testimonial:

“We talked to many consultants regarding the program we needed. Paltech Solutions had the best pricing, broken out by section and options. They also delivered on time and are very reliable. Paltech Solutions created an excellent program that automatically creates reports that used to take days to complete.
Their after service support is outstanding. Every time we run to a problem, they are very responsive and helpful”

Jin Bae, Online Marketing Manager