Category: Studio Operations

In the digital age, email has become a cornerstone of communication, both personally and professionally. However, with the convenience and ubiquity of email comes a host of security challenges, chief among them being email spoofing and phishing attacks. To combat these threats, organizations are turning to DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) policies. In this blog post, we’ll delve into what DMARC policies are, why they’re needed, and provide examples to illustrate their importance.

Understanding DMARC Policies:

DMARC is an email authentication protocol that builds on two existing mechanisms: SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). SPF allows senders to specify which IP addresses are authorized to send emails on behalf of a domain, while DKIM adds a digital signature to emails, verifying their authenticity.

DMARC goes a step further by providing a framework for receivers (mail servers) to determine how to handle emails that fail SPF and DKIM checks. It allows domain owners to publish policies instructing receivers on how to handle such emails, whether to deliver them, quarantine them, or reject them outright.

Why DMARC is Needed:

1. Preventing Email Spoofing: Email spoofing involves forging the sender’s address to make it appear as if the email originated from a trusted source. DMARC helps prevent this by allowing domain owners to specify strict policies for email authentication.
2. Combatting Phishing Attacks: Phishing emails often impersonate legitimate entities to trick recipients into divulging sensitive information or downloading malicious content. DMARC helps identify and block these fraudulent emails, thereby safeguarding users against phishing attacks.
3. Enhancing Email Deliverability: By implementing DMARC policies, organizations can improve their email deliverability rates. ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and email providers are more likely to deliver emails from domains with properly configured DMARC records, reducing the risk of legitimate emails being marked as spam.

Examples of DMARC Policies in Action:

1. Reject Policy: A domain owner sets a DMARC policy to “reject,” instructing receivers to reject any emails that fail both SPF and DKIM checks. This ensures that only authenticated emails from authorized senders are delivered to recipients.
2. Quarantine Policy: In a quarantine policy, emails that fail authentication checks are diverted to the recipient’s spam or quarantine folder rather than being outright rejected. This provides an additional layer of protection while allowing recipients to review potentially suspicious emails.
3. Monitoring Policy: Some domain owners initially opt for a “monitoring” policy, where DMARC reports are generated and sent to the specified email address without taking any action on failing emails. This allows organizations to assess the impact of implementing DMARC before enforcing stricter policies.

Example DMARC Policies:

Reject Policy:

 v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc@example.com; fo=1; pct=100; aspf=r; adkim=r

Explanation:

• v=DMARC1: Indicates the DMARC version being used.
• p=reject: Instructs receivers to reject any emails that fail both SPF and DKIM checks.
• rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com: Specifies the email address where aggregate DMARC reports should be sent.
• ruf=mailto:dmarc@example.com: Specifies the email address where forensic DMARC reports should be sent.
• fo=1: Indicates that forensic reports should be generated if the DMARC policy fails.
• pct=100: Specifies that the DMARC policy should be applied to 100% of emails.
• aspf=r: Specifies relaxed alignment mode for SPF.
• adkim=r: Specifies relaxed alignment mode for DKIM.

Quarantine Policy:

 v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc@example.com; fo=1; pct=100; aspf=r; adkim=r

Explanation:

• p=quarantine: Instructs receivers to quarantine emails that fail authentication checks by diverting them to the recipient’s spam or quarantine folder.
• Other parameters remain the same as in the “Reject Policy” example.

Monitoring Policy:

 v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com; ruf=mailto:dmarc@example.com; fo=1; pct=100; aspf=r; adkim=r

Explanation:

• p=none: Specifies that no action should be taken on failing emails. This is typically used for monitoring purposes.
• Other parameters remain the same as in the previous examples.

Minimum Policy:

v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com

Explanation:

• p=none: This tag sets the DMARC policy to “none,” which means no specific action will be taken on emails that fail the DMARC checks. Instead of rejecting or quarantining these emails, the policy instructs email receivers to generate and send DMARC reports to the domain owner without enforcing any strict action on the failed emails.
• Other parameters remain the same as in the previous examples.

These sample DMARC policies demonstrate how domain owners can configure DMARC to enforce different levels of email authentication and handling based on their security requirements and risk tolerance.

Conclusion:

In an era where cyber threats continue to evolve, securing email communication is paramount for organizations of all sizes. DMARC policies serve as a powerful tool in the fight against email fraud, offering granular control over email authentication and helping protect both senders and recipients from malicious activities. By understanding and implementing DMARC policies effectively, organizations can bolster their email security posture and foster trust among their stakeholders in an increasingly digital world.

Is your current website platform holding your business back? Do you feel limited by the features, flexibility and scalability of your website? IPSTUDIO understands the challenges businesses face with their online presence and is here to help. Our digital transformation service can help your business overcome these limitations and provide a seamless migration to a new platform that is tailored to your business needs.

Recently, IPSTUDIO successfully migrated ISI® Elite Training from Wix to WordPress, hosted on a virtual private server. This migration has allowed ISI® Elite Training to take advantage of the many benefits that come with a WordPress platform and has allowed them to achieve more flexibility, scalability and cost savings.

Wix is a popular website builder, but it can limit a business’s growth due to its limitations in terms of features, flexibility and scalability. WordPress, on the other hand, is an open-source content management system that offers a wide range of features and is highly flexible and scalable. By hosting WordPress on a virtual private server, businesses can enjoy even more control over their website and can tailor their website to their specific business needs.

The migration process was smooth and seamless, with no downtime for the ISI® Elite Training website. IPSTUDIO’s experienced team of developers and designers worked closely with ISI® Elite Training to ensure that the new website was tailored to their specific needs and reflected their brand image.

One of the biggest benefits of the migration was the cost savings. Hosting a website on a virtual private server provides a fast, safe and affordable solution. This allowed ISI® Elite Training to reduce their monthly website hosting costs while still enjoying all the benefits of a powerful and flexible platform.

The new WordPress website is now more flexible and scalable, allowing ISI® Elite Training to expand their online presence and reach a larger audience. With WordPress, they can now add new pages and features to their website with ease, allowing them to grow their business and reach their goals.

IPSTUDIO’s digital transformation service is not limited to just website migrations. We can help businesses with a wide range of digital transformation services, from website design and development to digital marketing and e-commerce solutions. Our team of experts will work closely with you to understand your business needs and provide a tailored solution that will help your business succeed online.

In conclusion, IPSTUDIO’s digital transformation service is the perfect solution for businesses that are looking to take their online presence to the next level. Whether you are looking to migrate to a new platform, improve your website design, or expand your online presence, IPSTUDIO has the expertise and experience to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business succeed online.

hello@ipstudio.co

Fitness has evolved over the decades. It is no longer about big box brands and racking up the weights. As boutique fitness continues to evolve wellness brands are turning towards boutique fitness focused software services to streamline and simplify both in studio and online experiences.

We’ve made this short list based on the number of fitness brands being serviced and the product offerings.  

MindBody

This wellness service company has witnessed exponential growth across the world servicing over 130 countries and over 50,000 wellness, fitness businesses globally. As a boutique fitness software titan, MindBody earns a spot on every fitness software list.

PROS

• A plethora of APIs for client’s website
  • Build custom experiences and solutions using the MindBody API

• Intuitive UI for customers
  • The Mindbody fitness app for customers is relatively intuitive and easy to use. Fitness enthusiasts can peruse the options in nearby areas for different classes offered by fitness boutiques and book them online.

• Dedicated suite for Marketing
  • Marketing is the backbone of future and flourishing businesses. You have to stay ahead of the curve to beat the competition. Mindbody offers a range of marketing tools to increase reach and acquire customers through various media channels. 

CONS

• Unreliable software updates
  • Business owners often complain about the updates to the app, that break payment gateways and more. It results in loss of business, lower customer retention and more.
• Slow customer support
  • Todays customers need answers, fast. With MindBody having tens of thousands of customers to manage their customer support is often lackluster.
    

Mariana Tek

Built by boutique fitness industry veterans, Mariana Tek ticks all the right boxes when it comes to fitness boutique CRMs. From their best-in-class mobile app, to streamlined booking flow, Mariana Tek is in a league of their own. This company packs a major punch and offers top notch service and support.

PROS

• Maximize Revenue Generation
  • From a seamless booking flow to their award winning mobile app, Mariana Tek’s platform is sure to increase conversions and boost revenue. Veering revenue upwards is one the primary goal of any business and Mariana Tek facilitates that with their software.

• Seamless Mobile App
  • Beautifully designed, seamlessly built the Mariana Tek iOS and Android experiences are by far the best in the boutique fitness industry. Packed with a customizable area where your own integrations can fit, to advanced notification alerts, the Mariana Tek app is second to none.

• Easy to Switch
  • It is not too late if you are discovering Mariana Tek. Migrate to Mariana Tek easily with the assistance of onboard dedicated migration specialist and easy to use tools. Hit the road with little down-time for your business with dedicated customer support. 

• API + Support
  • Having experienced API development across the boutique fitness landscape, there is no better platform than Mariana Tek to work with. From their dedicated integrations team to technical support and developer documentation, everything is on point.

Cons

• Slightly more expensive than competition
  • You get what you pay for, right?

Zingfit

An industry vet and global service provider, Zingfit’s boutique software product lays particular emphasis on the backend aspects of running a successful fitness boutique. 

PROS

• Spot Scheduling
  • Online spot scheduling allows customers to book a particular space in class, equipment like one specific treadmill, mat, bench amongst other things from their app in advance. They don’t need to wait or arrive early to secure a spot.  

• Instructor Management
  • Build your instructor’s schedule with Zingfit’s tools and manage instructor schedules with ease. Identify your star instructors by enabling ratings for them, whom the customers enjoy the most. Your best instructors are the face of the business. They help increase footfall in the long-run through positive word of mouth alone. 

• Multi-Studio
  • Zingfit’s multi-studio configuration enables customers to manage several fitness studios from one administrator panel. Business owners would not need to shuffle between multiple dashboards for different studios. 

CONS

• No API available
  • No custom API development resources or integrations are currently available. Achieving customized experiences isn’t possible with Zingfit. 

Bottom Line

To sum it up, choosing the right boutique fitness software for your business requires a clear assessment of your needs, objectives and budget. If it were up to us, we’d choose Mariana Tek every time.

Published March 23, 2020

The demand for wellness and fitness products/services has grown ten-fold in the last decade. with the advent of new exercise modalities, a societal desire to experience the process of self-improvement with friends & family, and the existence of software that can streamline the experience —  boutique fitness has consistently shown that it’s in a renaissance period.

Where Are We Now?

With the arrival of the coronavirus (covid-19), the fitness industry has been forced to adapt, while the anxiety of changing times looms. once again, clients are resorting to home-based, individualized workouts to get their daily burn in. All of a sudden, it feels like years of progress towards the establishment of the brick & mortar boutique fitness industry is in jeopardy. With headline after headline highlighting that the future of fitness has changed  — business owners have been forced to think outside the box on how they’ll continue to serve clients in a new world.

Luckily for owners, fitness has had a cohesive relationship with the digital world in recent times. with the most expensive real estate in the world now existing in the palm of our hands, and a client-base that already spends a significant amount of time there — it’s clear that success lies in becoming a tech-enabled business. and management teams have done just that, with heavy investments in the production and distribution of video content via a branded website/social media to capitalize on clients’ sustained desire for fitness consumption. 

At IPSTUDIO, we’ve witnessed the use of a multitude of platforms to do so, and the results have been encouraging to say the least. studios have been able to successfully reconnect with their clients via live streams or on-demand libraries through platforms such as: zoom, instagram, facebook, zype, and vimeo. It’s been really amazing to see the level of client engagement studios have been able to maintain through such mediums, and to see a clear path for their future.

However, these mediums of distribution have not come without their downsides. the digital real estate and share-ability these platforms provide, comes with the challenge of monetization. live streams via social media simply can’t be monetized, and streams hosted via zoom require instillation and can be shared freely amongst those looking for a free viewing. on top of this, none of these solutions offer a native integration with a cms, booking platform, or business management software built for boutique fitness.

The Way Forward

To solve this problem, we created Live by IPSTUDIO™ & On Demand by IPSTUDIO™.

Live & on-demand video solutions built specifically for boutique fitness. these products exist as end-to-end integrations that allow clients to buy, book, and view content/streams all without having to leave a studio’s website.

With the primary benefit of this being that all attendees will need to login using their credentials with the studio’s booking platform, and will need to have purchased access to the content/stream to participate. studios will now have the flexibility to share links to live streams & on-demand content freely, without having to worry if viewers are paying customers or not. On the on-demand front, users will get to browse, view, and favorite content in a modern video library. studios can now return to offering credits & memberships for services through their website, and once again can track activity & purchases through their booking platform’s reporting module. Digital content will also remain compatible with classpass, and other class-based distribution networks. 

We quietly rolled out the first versions of these integration products over the past week, and the amount of positive feedback we’ve received so far has been substantial. turnaround time with the setup process has also been kept low, and since our soft release last week we’ve already launched a double digit number of studios.

If you are a studio owner (or affiliated with a studio leadership team) looking to integrate digital video into a booking software, we encourage you to reach out to ipstudio at hello@ipstudio.co for help. we’re taking a long-term approach to these services.

Based on all indications, most studio’s we’ve worked with view the emergence of digital offerings not only as a long-term solution, but as a viable stream of revenue for the years to come.