mrc's Cup of Joe Blog

Join us in exploring the world of modern development, evolving technologies, and the art of future-proof software

Author name: Joe Stangarone

Joe Stangarone is a 40+ year veteran of the IT industry and president of mrc—the software company behind the award winning development platform, m-Power. Joe shares his leadership and technology insights through the Cup of Joe Blog, focusing primarily on ways businesses can save time, money, and increase productivity using technology.

5 (more) hidden costs of mobile app development

EducationSummary: As more and more businesses jump into mobile app development for the first time, many make a crucial mistake: They go into the process with a limited understanding of the true costs of developing a mobile app. In fact, many falsely believe that development cost starts and ends with the developer. In this article, we highlight a few more important costs that you should anticipate before starting your mobile app development project.

One way to improve your current software (without buying an off-the-shelf solution)

Save MoneyHere’s a quick exercise to try: Make a list of all the ways you wish your company’s software or systems were better. It could be anything. Maybe you just don’t like the interface. Or, maybe you want modern features, like mobile apps or web-based reporting.

Now, what keeps you from actually addressing those issues?

In my experience, many companies face the same problem: They’re tied to their current software/system. They don’t want to bring in third party software, but they don’t have the time/resources to build the new features into their current software.

In short, they need a way to improve their current software quickly, without spending an arm and a leg.

If you’re in that situation, here’s a story you’ll want to read. It explains how a company added a much-needed web-based ordering system to their current enterprise system. The best part: They found a way to improve their current software quickly, without buying an off-the-shelf, generic solution. You can read the whole story here.

8 hidden costs of mobile application development

EducationSummary: As more and more businesses jump into mobile app development for the first time, many make a crucial mistake: They go into the process with a limited understanding of the true costs of developing a mobile app. In fact, many falsely believe that development cost starts and ends with the developer. In this article, we highlight a few important costs that you should anticipate before starting your mobile app development project.

Webinar Replay: Turn Your Spreadsheets Into Web Solutions

EducationSummary: Many businesses have fallen into the spreadsheet trap. They start using spreadsheets for minor tasks, but before they know it, they’re relying on spreadsheets for critical aspects of their business. This spreadsheet overuse wastes time, hurts productivity, and results in data errors. If your company is drowning in spreadsheets, check out this webinar replay and learn how easily you can fix the problem.

5 (more) questions to ask before starting a digital transformation project

EducationSummary: Digital transformation–the reinvention of an organization through the use of digital technology to improve performance–is a priority for many businesses these days. However, it’s a complex task. Many businesses dive in without truly understanding the process. In this article, we explore 5 more important questions to ask before you start.

5 questions to ask before starting a digital transformation process

EducationSummary: Digital transformation–the reinvention of an organization through the use of digital technology to improve performance–is a priority for many businesses these days. However, it’s a complex task. Many businesses dive in without truly understanding the process. In this article, we explore 5 important questions to ask before you start.

Webinar: 5 IT challenges you can conquer with m-Power

EducationSummary: Modern Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and IT leaders face a daunting task. Gone are the days of simply supporting the business. Gone are the days of hard-to-use technology that’s controlled solely by the IT department. These days, the challenges faced by the IT department are at an all time-high. In this webinar, you’ll learn how you can handle many of the challenges facing IT leaders with a single platform.

5 warning signs that Shadow IT lurks in your company

EducationSummary: A growing trend, “Shadow IT” is a term used to describe IT systems and solutions built and/or used inside organizations without the approval of the IT department. This could include anything from employees emailing spreadsheets back and forth to entire departments licensing third-party, cloud solutions behind IT’s back. The problem: Since Shadow IT usually happens on the sneak, IT departments don’t know where (or how much) it’s happening. Is Shadow IT lurking in your business? Read this article to learn the warning signs.