Tech Republic

Our memories are not infallible, which is why companies with common sense employ checklists to keep things ordered and working well. For instance, take the matter of network and systems security. You’d need to think about workstations, mobile devices, servers, etc. You’d then need to consider the workstations in detail, such as thin clients, corporate desktops, and so on. An organization has to check what elements should be tracked and addressed, when there are seemingly so many threats coming from so many directions. It’s certainly possible for companies to create tech checklists themselves, but consider how much your time is worth. TechRepublic Premium can save you a lot of hassle at a very reasonable price. Our library is a healthy mix of documents and spreadsheets on a wide range of topics. Examples include MSP best practices, equipment, cybersecurity, cloud, data, payroll, quality assurance, GDPR, and project management. Get a taste of what we offer with this FREE macOS Tune-Up Checklist. Subscribe to TechRepublic Premium and get access to 75+ tech checklists. Download a checklist and use or modify as you see fit. We keep things fresh as we’re constantly adding to our library or updating existing ones. A sample of TechRepublic Premium’s checklists Members get access to all our policies, hiring kits, and more Along with our checklists, TechRepublic Premium members get access to all our other resources, such as policies, hiring kits, glossaries, predictions, features and event coverage. source

Money market accounts (MMAs) and checking accounts may share some similar features, such as earning interest, getting FDIC insurance coverage, and allowing check writing and debit card access. However, they differ in terms of yields, withdrawal limits, and transaction flexibility. MMAs typically offer higher returns than checking accounts, which usually provide little to no interest earnings. When it comes to account access, checking accounts have fewer restrictions on withdrawals and transfers, while MMAs are often limited to six withdrawals or transfers per month due to Federal Reserve Regulations. What is a money market account? A money market account is a savings product that offers some checking account features. Generally, MMAs provide higher interest than checking accounts, but will also require higher initial deposits and minimum balance requirements. While they allow you to write checks and use debit cards, they can have a strict limitation of six monthly withdrawals or transfers. MMAs can be a great choice if your main goal is to earn more interest on your savings and you don’t need constant access to your money. However, you need to consider the higher deposit requirements and transaction restrictions before opening this type of account. What is a checking account? A checking account is designed for day-to-day transactions, making it ideal for those who need to manage regular transactions like paying bills, receiving payments, or making purchases. It also comes with paper checks and debit cards. Typically, it offers unlimited withdrawals and transfers, making it a convenient option if you wish to access your funds often. However, many checking accounts offer low to no interest on your balance, which won’t allow you to grow your funds compared to an MMA. Still, its flexibility and ease of access make it an essential account for most people. Key differences: money market vs checking account Below is a table highlighting the differences between a money market vs checking account. Money Market Account Checking Account Initial deposit amount Higher Lower or none Minimum balance requirement Higher Lower or none Monthly fee Yes; waivable Mostly yes; waivable Earns Interest Higher Lower or mostly none Monthly withdrawal limits Usually six but varies per provider Mostly none Debit card Yes, some Yes Check-writing Yes, some Yes Federally insured Yes Yes Transaction types Can include direct deposits, wire transfers, mobile check deposits, check deposits, ACH transfers, and debit card transactions. Can include direct deposits, wire transfers, mobile deposits, check deposits, ATM withdrawals, ACH transfers, bill pay, and debit card transactions. Interest rates of money market account vs checking account Money market accounts are classified as interest-bearing accounts while checking accounts may or may not offer returns. Money market account: MMAs generally offer higher interest rates than checking accounts, with rates ranging from 0.5% to over 3%, depending on your provider and account balance. Some MMAs have tiered interest, meaning you earn higher returns the more money you have in your account. Checking account: Meanwhile, checking accounts typically offer very little to no interest, often ranging from 0% to 0.5% annual percentage yield (APY). However, a few online banks may offer slightly higher rates. If your priority is earning maximum interest and you’re comfortable with limited access to your funds, I recommend opening a money market account. However, if you need an account for everyday transactions and aren’t concerned with interest, a checking account is your best option. Before making a decision, I encourage you to compare the interest rates from various providers before choosing a business bank. More Banking Coverage Access to funds of money market account vs checking account When it comes to accessing your money, MMAs and checking accounts differ in flexibility. Money market account: MMAs typically allow up to six monthly withdrawals or transfers, though this can vary by provider. Exceeding the limit can result in a fee. While some MMAs offer check-writing and debit card access, your account may still be subject to transaction limits. Checking account: Compared to MMAs, most checking accounts offer unlimited withdrawals or transfers monthly. You can access your account through check writing and debit cards, which are useful for paying bills and making large in-store or online purchases. If you need unrestricted access to your funds for daily transactions, I recommend opening a checking account. Minimum balance and fees of a money market account vs checking account The fees and balance requirements for MMAs and checking accounts can vary, but some general differences exist. Money market account: It typically requires a higher opening deposit and minimum balance (between $1,000 and $5,000) than a checking account. Some online banks may offer lower minimums. Monthly maintenance fees usually range from $5 to $30 though some providers waive this fee if you maintain the required balance. Checking account: Basic checking accounts can often be opened with no initial deposit and typically don’t have a minimum balance requirement. However, to avoid monthly service fees (usually $5 to $30), you may need to maintain a balance between $500 and $1,500. Additional fees might apply for overdrafts, ATM withdrawals outside the bank’s network, and paper statements. Read our article on overdraft protection to learn how it works and avoid the common overdraft fee. If you seek a low-maintenance, everyday account, a basic checking account may be the right choice. However, if you’re willing to maintain a higher balance for better interest and fewer fees, an MMA could work for you. Transaction types of a money market account vs checking account The types of transactions available on each account type can differ, depending on how you plan to use your account. Money market account: You can make direct deposits, wire transfers, and mobile check deposits with an MMA. Some accounts allow check-writing, though not all providers offer this feature. You can also make ACH transfers and, in some cases, use a debit card for purchases or ATM withdrawals. However, note that MMAs often have transaction limits, and exceeding them may incur fees. Checking account: This account is designed for frequent transactions. You can perform direct deposits, wire transfers, mobile deposits, check deposits, and ATM withdrawals without

For business professionals, it’s essential to have an active travel schedule, and you can enhance your experiences by learning a new language. With a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning, you’ll be set up for success no matter where you’re going. Now through February 17, you can get a lifetime subscription on sale for just $129.99 (reg. $599) with coupon code LEARN40. About the Babbel app Developed by more than 100 expert linguists, Babbel takes a practical approach to language learning, with 15-minute lessons focused on topics like navigation, ordering food, shopping, and making friends — things you’ll actually need to know when you travel abroad. You can learn at a level that works for you and use Babbel’s technology to keep your pronunciation on point and identify points of weakness to work on. Babbel offers 14 languages: Spanish, German, Italian, French, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Dutch, Polish, Indonesian, Norwegian, Danish, Russian, and English. Babbel is the world’s top-grossing language app, trusted by more than 10 million people worldwide. Its accessible, bite-sized courses help make up a curriculum that has helped propel it to a 4.5/5-star rating in the Google Play Store and a 4.6/5-star rating on the App Store. Learn a new language in your own time at a great price. Now through February 17, you can get a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning for just $129.99 when using the LEARN40 coupon code. Prices and availability are subject to change. source

The IT market in Germany is estimated to grow by $31.3 billion USD by 2028, a new report has found. This equates to an annual growth rate of almost 4.07%, spurred on by increased adoption of IT solutions within SMEs and big data solutions within enterprises. Despite this growth, German businesses will face challenges in recruitment and retention due to a shortage of skilled IT professionals, according to the report by technology research and advisory company Technavio. And yet, Germany is the third most technically proficient country in Europe. “Insufficient professional qualifications limit the pool of potential candidates for open positions,” the authors wrote in a press release. “In response, professionals with the necessary qualifications, experience, and skillsets command high salaries. Consequently, small and medium enterprises, as well as the public sector, struggle to find suitable candidates.” Shortfalls in this area could be made up for by Germany’s dedication to AI investment. Just this month, renowned publisher Wiley found that 57% of researchers in Germany are integrating AI into their work, which is much higher than the global adoption rate of 44%. The country is also regarded as being in the top 10 of global AI leaders. SEE: Europe Selects German Site for AI Factory More must-read AI coverage Key factors to driving growth in Germany’s IT market The report’s authors wrote, “These factors are expected to drive the growth of the IT market in Germany during the forecast period.” Shift in focus from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 The Technavio research noted that Germany’s National AI Strategy “boosts the artificial intelligence market, with software AI and automation leading the way.” Launched long before ChatGPT in 2018, it outlines key initiatives such as establishing national competence centers for AI research, increasing AI professorships, investment of about €5 billion, and expanding its leadership in Industry 4.0. However, Technavio analysts said that, over the next four years, Germany will be shifting its focus to Industry 5.0 — a digitised manufacturing sector that prioritises worker wellbeing and sustainability. Germany has had a strong presence in engineering, particularly robotics, for decades, but hopes to maintain its lead by incorporating machine learning for the benefit of its people and the environment. The country ranks fourth in the world for industrial robotics adoption, with 429 robots per 10,000 employees, based on 2023 data. How big data and analytics will be key “Big Data and analytics are key technologies enabling this transformation, with data collected from production equipment, enterprise systems, and customer management systems,” the authors wrote. “This data is used to optimize production quality, reduce costs, expedite production times, and deliver superior customer support.” Autonomous robots can increase productivity They go on to highlight autonomous robots that handle painting, assembling, welding, and product inspection, and how they can boost productivity while reducing waste. Last month, at CES 2025, NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang predicted that generative AI could make humanoid robots a reality in the near future, despite previous difficulties commercialising them. Investments in “manufacturing execution systems” German enterprises are apparently investing in “manufacturing execution systems” — software solutions that manage manufacturing processes in real time. “The use of manufacturing intelligence allows industries to closely speculate on mechanical and procedural challenges, moving to advanced modes of data collection using sensors, actuators, assets, production analysis, and more,” the Technavio analysts wrote. source

Fast programming languages are gaining popularity, TIOBE CEO Paul Jansen said in the TIOBE Programming Community Index in February. Fast programming languages he called out include C++, Go, and Rust. Also, according to the updated TIOBE rankings: Python, to which Jansen awarded the title “TIOBE’s programming language of the year 2024” in January, continued to skyrocket. C++ held onto its place at second from the top of the leaderboard. Mojo and Zig are following trajectories likely to bring them into the top 50, and reached #51 and #56 respectively in February. The TIOBE Programming Community Index shows trends in programming languages based on search engine volume. Trends year-over-year from the TIOBE Programming Community Index. Python is the light blue trend line. Image: TIOBE Software Speed of programs matters in 2025 “Now that the world needs to crunch more and more numbers per second, and hardware is not evolving fast enough, speed of programs is getting important. Having said this, it is not surprising that the fast programming languages are gaining ground in the TIOBE index,” Jansen wrote. SEE: The U.K. government offers a Cyber Code of Practice to help businesses mitigate risks from generative AI.  The need for speed helped Mojo and Zig rise into the top 50. Rust reached its all-time high in the proprietary points system (1.47%.), and Jansen expects Go to be a common sight in the top 10 going forward. Python’s popularity shows no sign of decreasing As can be seen from the image above, Python continued on an upward streak it has traveled since 2017. In particular, Python has risen rapidly in the points system since June 2024. Python isn’t a fast language, Jansen pointed out, so why is it still so popular? As generative AI increases the demand for crunching numbers, more programmers need to do the human parts of that work. As Jansen said in the TIOBE Index for January 2025, Python is so popular as to be considered the “undisputed default language of choice.” So, that popularity compounds as more people choose to learn it. “Since the number of graduated software engineers is lower than is needed, all kind of non-software engineers are jumping on the programming bandwagon, and their favorite language is Python,” Jansen wrote. “This is why Python is here to stay.” source

Best overall: Square Best for highly customizable payment workflows: Stripe Best for tailored POS setups: Clover Best for interchange-plus pricing: Helcim Best for e-commerce businesses with in-person sales: Shopify Finding the right credit card payment app is crucial as the need for secure, scalable, and feature-rich payment solutions grows. With tools designed to streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and support diverse payment methods, these apps empower businesses to stay competitive in an increasingly digital business environment. Related: Best mobile credit card processing solutions Top credit card payment apps comparison The credit card payment apps below are my top picks based on pricing, app features, user experience, and my own hands-on testing and research. These apps are available for Apple and Android devices and offer ways to accept credit card payments. While some credit card processing apps only offer limited functionality, the top six apps all provide levels of scalability, whether in terms of volume processing, additional business tools, or bigger POS setups. Our rating (out of 5) Starting monthly cost Tap to Pay Transaction fee Integration options Square 4.46 $0 iPhone & Android 2.6% + $0.10 APIs, third-party integrations, Square App Marketplace Stripe 4.31 $0 iPhone & Android 2.7% + $0.05 APIs, extensive third-party integrations Clover 4.31 $14.95 iPhone only 2.6% + $0.10 APIs, App Market plugins Helcim 4.28 $0 iPhone only Interchange + 0.40% + $0.08 APIs, limited third-party integrations Shopify 4.18 $39 iPhone & Android APIs, Shopify App Store Square: Best overall Our rating: 4.46 out of 5 Image: Square Square is a leader in the credit card payment app space, offering a seamless blend of hardware, software, and payment processing that caters to businesses of all sizes. Its robust ecosystem includes everything from a free point-of-sale (POS) app to advanced tools for inventory management, team coordination, and customer engagement. What sets Square apart is its ease of use combined with powerful features, like Square Online for e-commerce and built-in integrations with accounting and marketing platforms. Unlike many competitors, Square doesn’t charge monthly fees for its core services, making it an ideal choice for businesses seeking affordability without compromising functionality or scalability. Why I chose Square When it comes to easy and affordable ways to accept credit card payments, Square is one of my go-to’s. There are no upfront costs to use the payment app, and its seamless integration of POS systems, payment processing, and ecommerce tools ensures you can handle both in-person and online transactions effortlessly. With support for Tap to Pay on both iPhone and Android, Square makes accepting contactless payments simpler than ever, eliminating the need for additional hardware in many cases. Although Square has paid add-ons, I think its free features are impressively robust. It covers essential needs, such as sales tracking, customer management, and inventory control. These free tools allow you to start small and scale as needed without a heavy upfront investment. Pricing App subscription — $0 per month. Account fee — $0 per month. Processing fees. In-person — 2.6% + $0.10. Online — 2.9% + $0.30. Manually entered — 3.5% + $0.15. Invoices — 3.3% + $0.30. Minimum cost for additional hardware — $0 (free magstripe reader) Features Free Square account includes POS, mobile app, invoicing, virtual terminal, and payment links for online transactions. Square supports Tap to Pay on both iOS and Android, allowing contactless payments without additional hardware. Includes a free mobile card reader with every signup; in-person transaction rates are transparent and competitive. Robust reporting, inventory management, and customer engagement tools are built into the app at no extra cost. Offers add-ons like payroll, marketing, and team management tools at affordable prices for growing businesses. Square credit card payment app home page. Image: Square Pros and cons Pros Cons Free features like POS, invoicing, and payment links. Free card reader and supports Tap to Pay on iPhone and Android. Intuitive and user-friendly app. High-volume businesses need to request custom rates. Limited customer support hours. Potential account holds. Stripe: Best for highly customizable payment workflows Our rating: 4.31 out of 5 Image: Stripe The Stripe Dashboard app is a powerhouse for businesses that require highly customizable payment workflows. Unlike many competitors, Stripe’s app empowers developers and tech-savvy businesses with robust APIs, enabling tailored payment experiences across various platforms. Its advanced features include real-time insights into payment activity, fraud detection tools, and streamlined management of subscriptions and invoices. What sets it apart is its unparalleled scalability—whether you’re processing a few transactions or managing global payment operations, Stripe adapts seamlessly. With support for over 135 currencies and payment methods, it’s an excellent choice for businesses with diverse customer bases or international ambitions. Related: Best international merchant accounts Why I chose Stripe For businesses that require flexible and customizable payment workflows, I think Stripe is an unbeatable choice. Its robust APIs and developer-friendly tools make it easy to design tailored payment solutions that integrate seamlessly with your existing systems. Whether you’re handling subscriptions, marketplace payments, or one-time transactions, Stripe’s flexibility ensures that your workflow aligns perfectly with your business needs. Plus, with support for Tap to Pay on both iOS and Android, Stripe simplifies contactless payments, reducing the need for additional hardware. While Stripe offers premium add-ons, its core features—like real-time payment tracking, advanced fraud detection, and multi-currency support—are highly valuable on their own. These tools enable businesses of all sizes to scale effortlessly, manage international transactions, and maintain control over their payment processes with minimal friction. Pricing App subscription — $0 per month. Account fee — $0 per month. Processing fees. In-person — 2.7% + $0.05. Online — 2.9% + $0.30. Manually entered — 3.4% + $0.30. Invoices — 3.1% + $0.05. Minimum cost for additional hardware — $59 (Stripe Reader M2) Features Highly customizable payment workflows through advanced APIs. Multi-currency support for seamless international transactions. Real-time payment tracking and analytics. Advanced fraud detection with machine learning tools. Options for subscription management and recurring billing. Integration with over 100 third-party apps and tools. Scalable infrastructure suitable for startups and enterprises.

Best overall Deel alternative: Gusto Best for managing employee benefits: Justworks Best international PEO: Papaya Global Best for hiring contractors internationally: Oyster Best for hiring and onboarding: Multiplier Best for integrations and IT hardware support: Rippling Best value for the price: Remote Deel streamlines hiring, onboarding, and payroll management for both employees and contractors in over 150 countries worldwide. For thousands of multinational companies, it’s the perfect international payroll solution—but if Deel is not for you, one of its global payroll software competitors could be a better fit. Check out our list of top alternatives: 1 Paycor Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees) Micro, Small, Medium Features API, Check Printing, Document Management / Sharing, and more 2 Deel Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features 24/7 Customer Support, API, Document Management / Sharing, and more 3 Velocity Global Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Employee Database, Multi-Country Payroll, Onboarding, and more Top Deel competitors and alternatives: Comparison table Vendor EOR starting price Global availability Our star rating (out of 5) Learn more Deel $599/employee/mo. 100+ countries 4.46 Try Deel Gusto $699/employee/mo.* 120+ countries 4.71 Try Gusto Justworks $599/employee/mo. 40+ countries 4.64 Visit Justworks Papaya Global $599/employee/mo. 160+ countries 4.54 Try Papaya Oyster $699/employee/mo. 180+ countries 4.16 Try Oyster Multiplier $400/employee/mo. 150+ countries 4.17 Try Multiplier Rippling Custom Unlisted 4.13 Try Rippling Remote $699/employee/mo. 170+ countries 4.01 Try Remote Plans and pricing are up to date as of 1/2/2025 *Gusto’s new pricing for its EOR services took effect on January 1, 2025 The top Deel alternatives for global businesses Gusto: Best overall Deel alternative Our star rating: 4.71 out of 5 image: Gusto Why we chose it: Gusto’s automation, streamlined platform, and overall accessibility make it one of the best payroll companies for small and midsize U.S. businesses, including those that pay international contractors. Employers already using Gusto to pay domestic contractors and employees can add international contractors without additional fees. The only cost you will incur is an exchange-rate fee that varies by country. Gusto’s employer of record (EOR) services (powered by Remote) were introduced in early 2024. These services are currently available only in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Ireland, Mexico, Netherlands, Philippines, Portugal, United Kingdom, and Spain—with new countries added every month. Who it’s best for: Gusto is an exceptional small-business alternative to Deel for businesses expanding to foreign markets for the first time. Its user-friendly platform is deeply intuitive with a low learning curve, making it a great payroll system for first-time employers. With the addition of Gusto Global, the software is now also a strong option for first-time global payroll users. Get more information by reading our comprehensive Gusto review. Pricing Gusto’s contractor-only plan costs $6 per contractor per month for the first six months. After that, you will be charged an additional $35 per month base fee, on top of the fee per contractor. You can also add international contractors for the same $6-a-month price, and the only additional fee is a variable exchange fee (the exact cost depends on the country). You can also pay international contractors through any of Gusto’s three employee-and-contractor payroll plans: Gusto Simple: $40 per month + $6 per employee or contractor per month. Includes unlimited monthly payroll runs and access to optional employee benefits. Gusto Plus: $80 per month + $12 per employee or contractor per month. Includes multi-state payroll, time tracking, and PTO management. Gusto Premium: Custom pricing only. Includes compliance alerts, HR resource center access, and dedicated customer support. Gusto Global: The regular price for this plan is $699 per employee per month. However, Gusto is currently offering a discounted price of $599 per employee until December 31, 2025. You can also get a one-month free discount on your invoice after you subscribe and run your first payroll with Gusto. Other terms and conditions may apply. Top features and integrations Unlimited monthly payroll runs Optional employee benefits, including health insurance plans in 37 states Employee mobile app for self-service onboarding and on-demand pay Local currency payments (availability varies by country) Fully automated full-service payroll tax administration Integrations: As a top payroll service provider in the U.S., Gusto includes built-in integrations with dozens of third-party apps, including accounting software like FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Sage, Xero, and ZipBooks. Gusto also syncs with expense management software like Expensify, performance management tools like Culture Amp, and time-tracking tools like 7shifts. Pros and cons Pros Cons User-friendly platform with simple self-guided setup Mobile app for employees, with optional on-demand pay through Gusto Wallet Thorough built-in integrations Low-cost international contractor payroll Compliance alerts are limited to the most expensive plan only Customers can’t yet access Gusto Global features (though you can create an account) Fewer HR features than top payroll competitors Justworks: Best for managing employee benefits Image: Justworks Our star rating: 4.64 out of 5 Why we chose it: Justworks is a certified professional employer organization (PEO) that takes the complexity out of running your business by handling the heavy lifting of payroll processing, tax management, and benefits administration. What sets it apart is its ability to give small businesses access to premium health insurance plans from major insurers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. Justworks’ EOR services give small businesses access to local HR experts who are ready to help you navigate compliance and answer your workplace questions. It also offers time-tracking features and international contractor payments. Who it’s best for: Justworks is an ideal Deel alternative for businesses that want to provide premium health plans and benefit options for their employees. Whether you run a small business or a big enterprise, Justworks can negotiate benefits coverages and rates with major insurance carriers. Thus, you can access the same caliber of health coverage typically reserved for big corporations, but at rates that work with your budget. Pricing Justworks has two pricing plans for its PEO services and standalone

A free applicant tracking system (ATS) is a human resources software application that acts as a database for job applicants, streamlining the hiring process by automating tasks, managing communication, and staying compliant, all at no cost to you. ATS platforms are used by companies of all sizes to organize, search for, and communicate with large groups of applicants. Many of the best applicant tracking systems are geared toward large corporations that juggle hundreds of applicants, however, small businesses on a budget need fully featured, affordable ATS software as well. Below, I reviewed the top free ATS software so you can find the right one for your needs. 2 Workable Recruiting Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Interviews and Assessments, Job Postings, Offers and E-Signatures, and more 3 BambooHR Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Micro (0-49 Employees), Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees) Micro, Small, Medium Features Job Postings, Offers and E-Signatures, Onboarding, and more Top Free ATS comparison Name Our rating (out of 5) Starting price for paid plans Candidate scoring Resume parsing Mobile app monday work management 4.58 $9 per seat per month Yes No Yes Zoho Recruit 4.30 $25 per user per month Yes Yes* Yes Breezy HR 3.80 $157 per month Yes** Yes Yes Jobsoid 3.48 $49 per month Yes Yes* Yes Loxo 3.30 $119 per user per month Yes Yes* Yes *Zoho Recruit: Resume parsing only available in paid tiers; Jobsoid: Resume parsing available with Standard and Pro paid plans only; Loxo: Resume parsing only available with paid plans**Breezy HR: candidate scoring available in paid tiers monday work management: Best overall Image: monday Our rating: 4.58 out of 5 monday work management is a project management tool that helps improve cross-functional collaboration within one workspace. While it is not a traditional ATS, it can be set up to function exactly like an applicant tracking tool, allowing you to create workflows and hiring pipeline tracking. By using the applicant tracking template, you can set up your board to track inbound applications through a form. This allows candidates to provide self-identifying information, upload their resumes, add skills, and choose the role they are applying for. From there, HR can rate each candidate and move them through the interviewing and hiring process. Pricing monday work management offers a forever free plan available for up to two seats, which is perfect for individuals that need to keep track of their work. Although its paid tiers are priced per seat, it has one of the lowest monthly pricing than any other on our list. Free: Free forever. Basic: $9 per seat per month. Standard: $12 per seat per month. Pro: $19 per seat per month. monday work management pros and cons Pros Cons Has a wide range of templates for job applications and interviews. Intuitive mobile app with full tracking capabilities. You can maintain centralized profiles by creating dedicated boards or cards for each candidate. No phone support. Does not offer resume parsing. No traditional reporting capabilities. Only available by customizing columns. Why I chose monday work management monday work management is best overall due to the large array of templates available for managing candidates and moving them through the hiring pipeline. I especially like how easy it is to see where each candidate is in the hiring process and update them accordingly. In addition, monday work management is affordable, even with its paid plans. Plus, as you migrate candidates from interviewing to hired, you can use its boards to tailor onboarding, track time, and manage projects. This makes it ideal for overall work management beyond just hiring. Image: TR/monday work management offers free templates for a variety of projects, such as marketing, content production, and project management. Plus, you can create a template from scratch using its in-software tool. Zoho Recruit: Best for customization Image: Zoho Recruit Our rating: 4.30 out of 5 Zoho Recruit is an online applicant tracking system that helps you manage every aspect of your recruitment process. It allows you to create job requisitions, post jobs on multiple channels, parse resumes, track candidates, schedule interviews, send emails, and generate reports. This platform is also highly customizable, allowing you to categorize and track various aspects of your recruitment process. Zoho Recruit offers more than ten predefined modules that come with a set of default fields and layouts. Plus, you can publish job openings on your career site directly through Zoho Recruit. Pricing Zoho Recruit offers a free forever plan. However, it only comes with one seat and limited candidate management. To get the full applicant tracking experience, you are required to upgrade to one of its paid tiers, which are pricier than most on our list. Zoho Recruit does offer a 14-day free trial to test out its product and a 45-day money-back guarantee. Free: Free forever. Standard: $25 per user per month (annual billing). Professional: $50 per user per month (annual billing). Enterprise: $75 per user per month (annual billing). Zoho Recruit pros and cons Pros Cons Has customizable workflows, forms, fields, and templates. Integrates with various third-party tools. Supports an ecosystem of other products such as Zoho CRM, Zoho People and Zoho Mail for a seamless experience. The free plan has some limitations, such as no career site, assessments, or social recruiting. Paid plans have a steep learning curve. Why I chose Zoho Recruit Zoho Recruit is customizable across its entire platform, allowing users to tailor workflows and create templates. It scored well in my assessment for its ability to sort and filter candidates and candidate scoring within its free plan. Another thing I like best about Zoho Recruit is the availability of a career site within its dashboard. This allows you to post open positions through your company website and populate candidates directly into your Zoho Recruit dashboard. However, this service is not available in the free version, so you will have to upgrade to a paid

Governance, risk, and compliance, often called GRC, is a blanket term that describes the strategies and technologies used to manage an organization’s compliance with regulatory mandates and corporate governance standards. The concept of GRC can be traced back to 2003, but the topic was first extensively discussed in a peer-reviewed paper by Scott L. Mitchell, published in the International Journal of Disclosure and Governance in 2007. This guide discusses what GRC is and what it can mean for you and your business. StandardFusion Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Small (50-249 Employees), Medium (250-999 Employees), Large (1,000-4,999 Employees), Enterprise (5,000+ Employees) Small, Medium, Large, Enterprise Features Access Controls/Permissions, Activity Dashboard, Activity Monitoring, and more ManageEngine ADAudit Plus Employees per Company Size Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1,000-4,999), Enterprise (5,000+) Any Company Size Any Company Size Features Account Lockout Analysis, Active Directory Change Auditing, Active Directory Monitoring, and more What is GRC? GRC is an organization’s overall strategy in tackling its three interrelated aspects. To better understand GRC, it’s best to look into each individual component. Governance The framework of rules, processes, and practices by which an organization is directed and managed. In essence, this comprises how an organization attempts to meet its goals and business objectives. Risk or risk management The potential for loss or damage to an organization’s reputation, finances, employees, customers, or other stakeholders. In particular, the main focus of risk in GRC is risk management, i.e,., identifying and subsequently minimizing risks encountered by the organization. Compliance The state of conforming to laws, regulations, and standards required by relevant bodies or government agencies. This can vary depending on the industry or sector and ensures that organizations meet a minimum standard of operations. What drives GRC? There is no question that regulation is the current biggest driver of GRC. Industries such as healthcare, financial services, and technology companies have borne the brunt of regulatory measures. Amazon’s massive GDPR fine of $877 million has been fresh on our minds since it was announced in its 2021 Q2 earnings report filed with the SEC. More recently, Meta Platforms Ireland was fined €1.2 billion in 2023 by the Irish Data Protection Authority for violating data privacy laws with its popular social media platform, Facebook. In particular, Meta failed to adhere to the EU’s GDPR for its unauthorized transfer of Facebook user data from the EU to the US servers. But another important driver of GRC is corporate governance. Investors are increasingly interested in how companies are managed and what kind of risks they are exposed to. Moreover, employees, customers, and other stakeholders expect organizations to be transparent about their operations and have robust mechanisms to prevent misconduct. Operational risks associated with the day-to-day operations of an organization also drive GRC. These include risks related to information security, supply chain management, and employee safety. Why is GRC important? GRC is important because it helps organizations protect their reputations, finances, customers, and employees while ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. Moreover, GRC can also help organizations improve their operational efficiency and reduce costs. By implementing a GRC program, organizations can avoid costly fines, penalties, and litigation expenses associated with non-compliance. In addition, a well-run GRC program can help organizations spot potential problems before they occur, saving them time and money in the long run. SEE: Securing Linux Policy (TechRepublic Premium) What are some GRC tools? In recent years, the corporate emphasis on GRC has given rise to a new breed of GRC software that is helping organizations of all sizes automate and streamline their GRC processes. Here are just a few examples: Compliance management systems These systems help organizations keep track of their compliance obligations by providing them with real-time visibility into their compliance posture. In addition, they typically include workflow capabilities that make it easy for organizations to manage their compliance processes from start to finish. Risk management systems These help organizations identify, assess, and manage operational risks. They typically include features such as risk dashboards and heat maps that give organizations a quick way to see where their biggest risks are located. Policy management systems These systems help organizations develop, implement, and enforce corporate policies and procedures. They typically include features such as policy templates and workflows that make it easy for organizations to create and distribute policies throughout their company. There are also unified platforms that offer a complete suite of GRC capabilities in one place. These platforms are often used by enterprises that need to manage complex GRC programs. If you want a more extensive look into GRC software tools and providers, I encourage you to check out our Best GRC Tools guide. In that feature, we dive into which GRC tools are best for scalability, visibility, risk management, and more. We also discuss which types of businesses can gain the most benefit from using GRC tools. More cloud security coverage How to implement GRC in your organization When it comes to implementing a GRC program, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The best approach will vary depending on the size, complexity, and needs of your organization. A strong approach to GRC implementation is offered through the GRC Capability Model (Red Book) developed by OCEG. The model has four components: LEARN, ALIGN, PERFORM, and REVIEW. Let’s discuss each key component below. LEARN how GRC relates to your specific business needs The first step is to clearly understand the laws, regulations, standards, culture, stakeholders, and the entire context that applies to your organization. You should also assess your organization’s risk tolerance and establish what kind of risks you are willing to take. This will inform your objectives, strategies, and actions. ALIGN your strategy with greater business objectives The next step is to align your GRC strategy with your organizational objectives and actions. This will help your GRC program to align with the overall goals of your organization PERFORM actions and policies toward desirable results The third step is to take

Key takeaways: BNPL is an alternative payment method that offers customers installment options at checkout for their purchases. Many BNPL platforms can integrate with most e-commerce websites. Businesses with a BNPL payment option see an increase in sales but the cost of transaction and returns can significantly cut into your bottom line. Buy now, pay later (BNPL) is one of the most popular payment options in the market. It is easy to set up and seamlessly integrates into any online checkout platform, but is it worth adding to your business? What is BNPL? Buy now, pay later is a type of short-term consumer loan that allows customers to pay for their purchases in installments. It works by integrating a BNPL platform into the merchant’s checkout methods. When customers use this payment option, the business receives the entire purchase price upfront minus a considerably higher transaction fee compared to card payments. Who should use BNPL? While accessible to all business sizes, BNPL is the most useful to businesses looking to encourage higher average order value. This can be in the form of selling: Big ticket items, or A combination of low-value items to form big checkout baskets Not only do large-value sales make more sense to put through installment payments, but they can also effectively cover the cost of transactions, making them more sustainable for the business. BNPL vs traditional loans For customers, BNPL loans are short-term, often zero-interest loans. While traditional loans (or traditional consumer financing) can either be short- or long-term, they always come with an interest rate. Additionally, the loanable amount for BNPL is pre-approved based on a soft credit check that does not affect a customer’s credit score; traditional loans require an application and approval process. BNPL Traditional Loans Short-term installments Either short- or long-term installments Usually zero interest rates Interest rates on all transactions Customer deals with the BNPL provider Customer deals with the bank Customer’s loan is based on a transaction purchase Customer’s loan is based on an approved amount Both BNPL and traditional loans are bank-supported. However, with BNPL, the customer deals with the BNPL provider (which in turn works with the bank) while with traditional consumer loans, the customer deals directly with the bank. Traditional loans can either be in the form of a credit card or a personal loan. Also see: Debits vs credits: What’s the difference? How does BNPL work? BNPL works like any other payment method on an ecommerce website: Image: How BNPL Transaction Work The customer goes to the checkout page and opts for BNPL as a payment option. The BNPL provider conducts a soft credit check (evaluates basic personal information and credit history summary) on the customer. If approved, the customer will be prompted to choose a payment term and click on a “buy now” button to confirm the transaction. The payment processor sends the proceeds of the transaction amount to the merchant minus the transaction fee. The customer pays for the initial downpayment upfront and the BNPL provider collects the installments. How to add BNPL to your payment methods There are two major ways to add BNPL as an alternative payment method: Use a payment processor with a native BNPL feature: Popular payment providers, such as PayPal and Square, provide their own BNPL program. All you need to do is update your payment methods in the payment settings to sign up for BNPL. Integrate a third-party BNPL software: Other payment processors have partnerships with third-party BNPL providers. To add this feature, you will need to choose a BNPL platform from your processor’s list of integrations. Follow the prompts that will let you create a BNPL option and link your merchant account. Don’t forget to start a test transaction to make sure that the setup is successful. You should be able to see the BNPL provider’s brand under the list of payment methods at checkout. Pro tip: Aside from those mentioned above, you can support additional installment payment options by working with certain banks and digital wallets that provide their own BNPL programs. These usually come with a mobile banking app that can be used for both online and in-person transactions. Cost of BNPL transactions For merchants, the average range of processing rates for BNPL transactions is between 3% and 8%. Most BNPL providers do not charge a monthly fee for using the service but those that do may cost up to $75 a month. For customers, short-term BNPL transactions are usually interest-free. However, most providers now offer longer payment terms (from 6 months and up) that carry interest rates ranging between 4% and 36%. Late fees start at $7. Note: Any successful chargeback claim on BNPL transactions is shouldered by the BNPL provider, not the merchant. Also see: 5 Online payment methods for small business BNPL pros and cons for small business BNPL pros BNPL cons Attract more customers Expensive transaction fees Increase average order value Increased purchase returns Full upfront payment Potential for more regulations around BNPL Free from risk of chargebacks and default repayments In general, adding BNPL provides businesses with more benefits than disadvantages. For one, BNPL is a great marketing angle to attract more customers. The installment payment plan also encourages customers to make larger purchases, thereby increasing the average order value. BNPL also helps businesses keep a healthy cash flow because it receives the full amount of the customer’s purchase upfront. It also helps maintain a healthy chargeback ratio since the BNPL provider assumes the risk of chargebacks. The major downside of using BNPL for merchants is exorbitant transaction fees. This is primarily because the provider assumes most of the risk, such as chargebacks and default payments, associated with financing. That said, the installment plan can encourage a “try before you buy” behavior from consumers that can potentially increase product returns. And as the market continually grows, more regulations will likely be enacted in the future to protect customers from widely varied payment terms and expensive interest rates—something that may impact