Tech

10 Features to Look for in Any Software You’re Buying

Published

4 years ago

June 21, 2021

Most businesses need a mix of different software applications to run efficiently in the modern world, including niche specialized software. Almost every business will need a combination of tools like HR and recruiting software, accounting software, and project management software. Some businesses will need applications like design software, or something that can calculate dimensions for manufacturing.

Clearly, when shopping for a specific type of software, you’ll have to look for specific features. But generally, what are the most important qualities to consider in your decision?

The Most Important Features

These are some of the most important features to look for in any software you’re buying for your business:

Core features. First and foremost, you’ll need to think about the core functionality of the app. What is it that the app does? And is it capable of fulfilling your needs? Before you can answer these questions, you need to know what your needs are. What is it you’re trying to accomplish? Are you trying to do something more efficiently or document an important process? What are the limitations of this app, and do you have a way to get around them?
UI/usability. Next, you’ll need to think about the app’s user interface and overall usability – especially if there will be lots of people using it. UI/UX design is about more than just making the app pretty; it’s about making sure the app is intuitive and easy to use. Ideally, a person should be able to figure out how to use the app with just a few minutes of poking around. If the screens are cluttered or poorly designed, even a good training session is going to leave people confused about what to do.
Training and education. Even with a great UI, it’s possible that your employees will need some guidance before using the app effectively. That’s why it’s important to look for an app with built-in education and training options.
Modularity and integrations. How modular is this software? Is it possible to integrate it with other apps or expand its capabilities in the future? This may or may not be a priority for your business.
Customizability. How flexible and customizable is this software? Some businesses want to do a near-complete rebuild, tailoring the app to suit their needs exactly. Others prefer something out of the box, with no customization or forethought necessary.
Speed and technical efficiency. How technically efficient is this software? Does it load quickly and respond to your inputs instantly? Is it relatively bug-free, with talented developers who can patch bugs shortly after they’re discovered?
Update roadmaps. The software should work well immediately, but there should also be room for updates in the future. Does this developer intend to continue supporting the software for years to come? Are they planning the release of interesting new features, or do they at least have a plan for better security updates?
Dedicated customer support. What happens if you or one of your employees experiences a problem? Do you have a dedicated customer service rep who can answer your questions and provide you with resources? Will this company work to help you achieve your goals?
A critical differentiator. Chances are, there are dozens, or even hundreds of competing companies with products that serve the same function. It’s a bad idea to find one option and stubbornly stick with it; instead, you should review the competition and see what else is out there. Before making a final decision, you’ll need to find some kind of critical differentiator. What is it that makes this app better than the others? Does it have more features? A lower cost? Better customer reviews?
A reasonable cost. Finally, you’ll want to look at the cost. An app may have everything you need (and everything you want), but if it’s going to cost a fortune to subscribe to it, it may not be worth the investment. That’s not to say you should make this decision frugally; oftentimes, you get what you pay for, and paying a bit more is warranted. But you also don’t want to drain the budget on something that isn’t perfect.

Tailoring Your Decision Process

While these features will all be important considerations for almost any software your business needs to buy, it’s important to customize your approach for your own specific needs and priorities. For example, are you working with a strict budget that makes cost your number one priority? Or are you willing to pay extra and make compromises to ensure your app is highly customizable? The “right” software will look different to different businesses, so make sure you’re familiar with your goals before launching your search.

Tech

Future Unfolding: Your Guide to the Hottest Upcoming Solana Projects

Published

1 month ago

July 19, 2025

Jonathan Grilli

If you’ve been peeking into the world of blockchain lately, you’ve probably heard whispers about some exciting upcoming Solana projects. And no, this isn’t just the usual crypto chatter. Solana’s unique combination of speed, scalability, and low fees has been turning heads in all the right ways. Now, a fresh wave of developers is flocking to the ecosystem—and what they’re building could shake up the whole game.

Whether you’re a casual investor, a tech-savvy early adopter, or just crypto-curious, knowing what’s around the corner can give you a serious edge. So grab a coffee, pull up a chair, and let’s take a closer look at where Solana is headed—and which projects might just become the next big thing.

Why Solana, and Why Now?

Let’s face it: not all chains are created equal. While Ethereum paved the way, and Bitcoin proved the concept, Solana showed up to prove that blockchains could be fast—really fast—without costing an arm and a leg to use. With transaction speeds clocking in at 65,000 per second (yep, you read that right) and fees that cost less than a penny, it’s no wonder developers are pouring in.

More importantly, Solana’s infrastructure opens up real creative freedom. Think dynamic NFTs, high-performance games, instant DeFi transactions, and next-gen social platforms. It’s like going from dial-up to fiber optic. And when does that kind of power meet an ambitious dev community? Sparks fly.

The Landscape: What’s Already Built

Before we dive into what’s coming, let’s talk briefly about what’s already here. Solana is no stranger to heavy hitters. Projects like:

Phantom (one of the smoothest crypto wallets out there)
Magic Eden (a major NFT marketplace)
Serum (a decentralized exchange engine)

…have already helped solidify Solana as a serious player in the Web3 world. But even more exciting is what hasn’t launched yet—the next wave of innovation that’s currently under wraps, in beta, or being whispered about in dev channels and alpha groups.

Categories to Watch

Let’s break this down a bit. These upcoming projects aren’t just NFTs or DeFi. They span several categories, and each one is pushing boundaries in its own way.

1. Gaming on Solana

Blockchain gaming is no joke anymore. We’re talking full-blown metaverses, player-owned economies, and real-time experiences that don’t feel like retro arcade games.

Projects like Aurory and Star Atlas are leading the charge, but newer games like Eizper Chain and Synergy Land are gaining steam. They aim to blend AAA-style graphics with actual on-chain mechanics, where players earn, trade, and even govern the game’s economy. Imagine a gaming world where your loot actually means something.

2. Next-Gen DeFi Platforms

Solana’s speed is a dream for decentralized finance. It eliminates lag and lowers gas costs, making it more attractive for traders and builders alike.

Keep your eye on platforms like Zeta Markets (for options trading), Mango Markets V4 (the next iteration of Solana’s leveraged trading platform), and Drift Protocol, which is all about smart margin trading. These platforms are redesigning financial systems—not just copying them.

3. Social and Creator Economies

You know how creators are always looking for ways to monetize without getting gouged by middlemen? Solana’s low-fee, high-throughput nature makes it perfect for social and creator platforms.

Projects like Grape Protocol, Only1, and Dialect are cooking up decentralized alternatives to Instagram, Patreon, and WhatsApp. Instead of centralized platforms owning your audience, you do. Finally, some freedom in the feed.

4. Infrastructure and Tools

Not every exciting project is consumer-facing. Some of the most powerful tools are being built quietly in the background.

Look out for GenesysGo, Helius, and SolanaFM—they’re building things like RPC networks, data explorers, and indexing solutions that help the entire ecosystem run smoother. It’s like paving roads before the cars show up.

How to Spot a Winner

Okay, so you’re excited. But how do you separate future stars from vaporware?

Check the Team

Do they have experience? Are they doxxed? Are they shipping updates consistently? A solid team isn’t shy about transparency.

Look at the Community

Great projects build great tribes. Join their Discord. Scroll through their Twitter. Are people engaged, or is it just hype?

Watch for Utility

Does this project solve an actual problem or improve something that already exists? If it’s just a reskinned NFT mint or copy-paste DeFi fork, maybe move along.

Follow the Builders

Founders often share sneak peeks, updates, and philosophies that give you insight into where a project is heading. Social platforms like X, Farcaster, and even dev blogs can be surprisingly revealing.

How to Stay in the Loop

Alpha doesn’t wait for newsletters. If you want to stay ahead, plug into:

Solana Hacker Houses and hackathons (they often preview upcoming talent)
Podcasts like Solana Breakpoint or Lightspeed
Research-focused Discord servers and Telegram groups
GitHub activity and dev toolkits

This stuff moves fast, but not without leaving clues. Pay attention to who’s building, not just who’s trending.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Chase, Anticipate

When everyone talked about it, the train had probably left the station. The trick with upcoming Solana projects is to think like a scout, not a fan. You want to spot the early signals, the creative builders, and the untapped problems being solved in clever ways.

Solana’s ecosystem isn’t just expanding—it’s evolving. As more serious capital, creators, and developers enter the space, the opportunities multiply. Stay sharp, do your homework, and remember: the best projects often start quietly.

In a world full of copycats, bet on the originals. That’s where tomorrow’s magic lives.