Launched in July 2017 officially, the Bluetooth mesh technology is an addition to the Internet of Things connectivity and networking space. Bluetooth has been a mainstay in short-range connectivity for tablets, consumer electronics, and smartphones. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group has always delivered tools and specifications that offer multi-vendor, global compatibility.
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Hiring a software development agency is often the best decision a business can make. But there are some cases when you should prioritize hiring an internal team, or working with a lone freelancer. Here is when you should and should not hire an external agency.
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Electric vehicles are becoming more popular by the day, as people become more environmentally conscious and seek to reduce their carbon footprint. But one of the main barriers to widespread electric vehicle adoption is the lack of charging infrastructure.
This is where mobile apps come in. Mobile apps can help with everything from finding charging stations to paying for charging sessions. They make it easier and faster for drivers to find and use charging stations, and they help manage the billing process so drivers can pay quickly and easily.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key functions of mobile apps for EV-charging networks, as well as some case studies of how they’ve been used successfully. We’ll also explore some of the challenges faced while developing these apps, and look ahead to what the future holds for mobile app-based EV charging.
Mobile apps offer a number of advantages for EV-charging networks. For one, they make it easier and faster for drivers to find charging stations. Mobile apps can include up-to-date maps of charging stations, as well as information on station availability and real-time updates on charging status. This helps drivers locate the nearest available charging station and ensures that they don’t waste time waiting for a charging session to start.
Mobile apps can also help manage the billing process. They can allow drivers to pay for charging sessions quickly and easily, without having to fumble through their wallets or purses for change. Mobile apps can also keep track of charging history and data, so drivers can keep track of their electric vehicle’s performance over time.
Finally, mobile apps can help promote electric vehicle adoption by providing users with information on electric vehicle incentives and rebates. They can also connect drivers with local electric vehicle owner communities, providing a support network for those just starting out with electric vehicles.
Mobile apps play an important role in managing EV-charging networks. In addition to helping drivers find and pay for charging sessions, they can also:
Mobile apps are also a must-have for home EV-charging stations. They can help owners of at-home charging stations manage the installation and set-up process of their stations. Once installed, they can use the app to manage their stations, set up software updates, manage problems, and get real-time information about the charging of their vehicle.
Mobile apps are being used successfully in electric vehicle charging networks around the world. One such example is the FLO app, which is used by the Canadian EV-Charging leader Addenergy, both for the users of its charging network, and for customers that have bought their home charging stations manufactured by the company.
The FLO app is available for both iOS and Android devices, and it offers several features that are useful for EV drivers. These include the ability to find nearby charging stations, start and stop charging sessions, receive real-time updates on charging status, pay for charging sessions, and view charging history. The app also provides Addenergy customers with the ability to remotely monitor and manage their home charging stations.
Signing Up as a Client
Before there was an app, the process of signing up for and using EV-charging networks was much more complex. Drivers had to go online and sign up for membership, wait to receive a member card in the mail, and then finally be able to start using the charging network. This process could often be slow and cumbersome, and it was difficult for drivers to keep track of their charging sessions and billing history.
Now with the Mobile App:
– You can sign up for an account quickly and easily
– No need to wait for a membership card – you can start using the app right away
– Access to all the features of the EV-Charging network, including finding nearby charging stations, paying for charging sessions, and viewing charging
Physical Cards vs Digital Cards
Before the app, clients needed to have a physical card to activate the charging stations on the network. The mobile app allows drivers to have a digital membership card. This means that there is no need to carry around a physical card, and it is easy to keep track of how much credit you have on your card. The app also sends real-time updates on charging status, so drivers can keep track of how much money they are spending on charging their vehicle.
Updating Mobile Software vs Sending New Cards
One advantage of having a mobile app is that updates can be made quickly and easily, without the need for drivers to receive and install a new card. This is much more efficient than the process of sending out new cards to all members of the network. With a mobile app, drivers can get all the benefits of the charging network, including real-time updates on charging status, without having to wait for a new card to arrive in the mail.
Communication with Clients
Before the app, FLO had only non-direct, non-push ways of communicating with its clients. Mobile apps and push notifications are a great way to communicate with clients. They provide a direct, instantaneous way of communicating with drivers, and they ensure that drivers are always up-to-date on the latest charging information. This is important, as it helps drivers plan their trips and charging sessions accordingly. Mobile apps also allow networks to send promotional messages to drivers, helping increase client lifetime value (CLV).
Easier to Test the System for the Manufacturer and Company Behind the EV-Charging Network
The mobile app makes it much easier for the manufacturer and company behind the EV-charging network to test the system. With a mobile app, they can easily send technicians or users to test the various charging stations, compared to before when they needed a client card, a laptop, and a mobile wifi connection. This makes it faster and easier for them to test and improve the system, which is important for a network that extends all across Canada.
Providing the Manufacturer and EV-Charging Network with Usage Data
The Mobile App is generating tons of usage data for the company that can help make strategic decisions about the EV-charging network. For example, the company can use this data to decide which areas need more or fewer charging stations, and they can use it to improve the user experience of the network.
Mobile app development for EV-charging networks can be challenging. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that the apps can scale as the number of electric vehicles and charging stations grows. This requires significant investment in infrastructure and back-end support, as well as ongoing maintenance and updates. Another challenge is designing user-friendly apps that are easy for drivers to use, even when they are in a hurry. This requires careful user-testing and feedback loops to ensure that the app meets the needs of users.
Software development teams often need to collaborate to create a successful mobile app. In the case of EV-charging networks, the manufacturer of the EV-charging stations needs to work with the company that created the back-end cloud infrastructure and the mobile app itself. This can be a difficult process, as it requires significant investment in time and resources. However, if done correctly, it can lead to a successful and user-friendly mobile app. This also requires agile, transparent, and collaborative software developers that can work as a team.
Mobile apps are likely to play an even more important role in electric vehicle charging networks in the future. As the number of electric vehicles grows, so too will the need for apps that can help drivers find and pay for charging sessions. Mobile apps will also become increasingly important for managing billing and payments, as well as keeping track of electric vehicle usage data. In addition, mobile apps can help to promote electric vehicle adoption by providing users with information on electric vehicle incentives and rebates, as well as connecting them with local electric vehicle owner communities.
Mobile apps are essential for both drivers and owners of electric vehicles. They offer several benefits that make charging sessions more convenient and efficient. Mobile apps also play an important role in managing electric vehicle charging networks and will become even more important as the number of electric vehicles grows.
If you are a manufacturer or charging network looking for a mobile app development partner, please contact Sidekick Interactive. We have extensive experience in developing mobile apps for electric vehicle charging networks, and we can help you create an app that is both user-friendly and scalable.
Sidekick Interactive has a unique and specialized approach to dealing with software projects that are undefined or have a custom scope and a fixed-budget. We use bucket systems to help manage time and resources, which helps us stay within budget while still delivering a high-quality product. Our approach is transparent and collaborative, working with our clients and partners to figure out what can be accomplished within their budgets. By planning for risks ahead of time, we can minimize conflicts and ensure that the project remains on track.
This is where mobile apps come in. Mobile apps can help with everything from finding charging stations to paying for charging sessions. They make it easier and faster for drivers to find and use charging stations, and they help manage the billing process so drivers can pay quickly and easily.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the key functions of mobile apps for EV-charging networks, as well as some case studies of how they’ve been used successfully. We’ll also explore some of the challenges faced while developing these apps, and look ahead to what the future holds for mobile app-based EV charging.
The upfront planning and design work that is done in the early stages of a software development project is critical to its success. This is when the bulk of the time and effort is invested in understanding the client’s needs and designing a system that will meet those needs. It’s also when the team builds the foundation for future phases of the project. This is why it’s important to have a good process in place for doing this upfront work, as it can help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the project stays on track.
Another problem is having the sales create specs and budgets, which then must be created by the development team. This is a major source of problems for custom software projects.
To make sure that the most important aspects of the project are given proper attention, a good software development process will typically allot 10-20% of the overall budget to planning and design. This helps ensure that the team has enough time and resources to do a thorough job, while still keeping within budget. It also allows for some flexibility, as changes may be needed during later stages of development. By investing in upfront planning, you can avoid many potential problems and save both time and money in the long run.
This means that, for a $500,000 project, we should expect to allocate $50,000-$100,000 of time and effort to planning, to be able to be precise about what can be achieved and what the outcome will be. We believe that the traditional way of doing business, by estimating workload upfront to have a fixed price, greatly underestimates the work needed to be precise, which leads to a low degree of precision.
When it comes to a fixed-price fixed-scope budget, it’s a lose-lose proposition for both the client and the agency. For the client, it means that they may not get all the features they want or that the finished product may not meet their expectations. This can be especially frustrating when changes are made during later stages of development, as the client may feel like they’re not getting their money’s worth.
For the agency, it means that they may not be able to deliver a project that meets the client’s expectations within the given budget. This can lead to delays, frustration, and even canceled projects. In some cases, it can also damage the agency’s reputation and make it difficult to win future contracts.
In short, a fixed-price fixed-scope budget is a lose-lose proposition for everyone involved. It’s important to remember this when making decisions about your next project, the only way that a fixed price budget is a win-win is when the fixed scope is dead-on, which, as explained earlier, would be a random occurrence.
Sidekick Interactive uses a bucket budget system to help manage and plan projects. This allows us to allocate time and resources to specific tasks, which helps us stay within budget while still delivering a high-quality product.
One of the problems with working with a fixed-price budget is that it’s difficult to accurately estimate the amount of time and effort needed to complete a project. This is especially true for custom software development, where there are so many unknowns. By using buckets, we can break down the project into specific tasks that can be more easily estimated based on our experience and industry best practices. This helps us stay within budget while still delivering a product that meets the client’s needs.
When it comes to working with budget buckets, Sidekick Interactive takes a unique approach. Rather than starting at the beginning and trying to estimate how much budget we need for a certain project, we work backward and allocate certain percentages of the client’s total budgets to certain buckets. By taking this approach, we can ensure that the project stays on track and that the client gets what they want in the end. We also believe that transparency is key, which is why we always work with our clients and partners to figure out how much work of a roadmap we can accomplish within their budgets. This helps us stay within budget while still delivering a high-quality product. Therefore, we work with the clients to create the scope based on the available budget and the project objectives.
To account for the uncertainties inherent in software development projects, it is often necessary to budget for additional time and resources. This is known as a contingency reserve, and it allows the project team to deal with unforeseen problems and changes without having to go back to the client for additional funding. A contingency reserve of 10-20% of the total project cost is typical in the software development industry. This allows the team to handle most unexpected events without causing delays or financial problems.
However, even with a contingency reserve in place, there are always risks associated with any software development project. Unanticipated problems can still arise, which may require additional time and resources to resolve. In some cases, it may even be necessary to renegotiate the project budget or timeline with the client. By planning for these risks ahead of time, and derisking the project as much as possible in the planning phase, the project team can minimize the potential for conflicts and ensure that the project remains on track.
Building a 3-bedroom home for $200,000 or $1,000,000 can depend on many factors, including the size of the home, the quality of the materials, and the quality of service and speed. The same is true for software development projects; costs can vary widely depending on many factors, including the features and functionality of the app, the complexity of the code, and the level of support and maintenance required.
One way to think about it is that building a 3-bedroom home for $200,000 is like building a simple app with limited features, while building a 3-bedroom home for $1,000,000 is like building a more complex app with more features. In both cases, the home will be functional and meet the needs of the client, but the level of luxury and amenities will be different.
The bottom line is that software development projects are not one-size-fits-all; costs can vary widely depending on the needs and requirements of the client. That’s why Sidekick Interactive takes a custom approach to every project we undertake, working closely with our clients to figure out what they need and want from their app. By taking this approach, we can ensure that our clients get the most value for their money without compromising on quality or features.
The traditional model of eye-frame manufacturing is plagued by several issues, including high costs, long lead times, and poor fit. However, recent technological innovations have made it possible to use 3D scanning to create better-fitting, more customized eye frames. YouMaWo, a German startup that uses 3D scanning to get measurements for the manufacture of bespoke eyewear, is one example of this new breed of digital manufacturing technology. The benefits of this type of technology include shorter lead times, lower costs, and a better fit for the customer.
The traditional way of manufacturing eye-frames has several drawbacks. First, it is expensive. Second, it takes a long time to produce the frames. Third, the frames often do not fit well on the customer’s face. These problems arise from the fact that the traditional manufacturing process is based on manual labor and is not very efficient.
It is impossible to create one-size fits all eye frames because human faces come in all shapes and sizes. Even people who are of the same height and weight can have very different facial features. For example, one person might have a very round face, while another might have a more angular face.
In recent years, there have been many technological innovations that have made it possible to create better-fitting, more customized eye frames. These innovations include the iPhone and portable sensors, such as the Structure Sensor.
The iPhone has revolutionized the way we interact with the world around us. Its powerful camera and sensors allow us to capture information in ways that were not possible before. The ability to create mobile apps allows companies to create easy-to-use interfaces for their clients/partners to digitally interact with their ecosystems. Mobile sensors, such as the ones found in the iPhone, are also becoming increasingly powerful and sophisticated.
3D printing is the process of making a three-dimensional object from a digital model. This can be done using a 3D printer, which is a device that prints objects using plastic, metal, or other materials. 3D printing is becoming increasingly popular and more affordable. Technology has come a long way in the past few years, and printers are now able to print objects with much greater precision. This makes them ideal for the manufacture of customized objects, such as eye frames.
3D printing allows for just-in-time custom-fitted frames. With traditional manufacturing, it can take weeks or even months to get the frames to the customer. With 3D printing, on the other hand, the customer can get fitted frames within days or even hours. This is because there is no need for expensive manual labor or for stock products that may not fit the customer’s face well. And the 3D model used to print the frames can be customized based on the customer’s face measurements.
The next opportunity arises from the need to have precise measurements of a customer’s face, which can be hard to do with traditional measuring instruments. This is where 3D scanners come into play. 3D scanners create a digital 3D-mesh model of the customer’s face, which can be used to generate accurate measurements automatically.
Finally, the difficulty for a customer to select a model without a try-on is found in a just-in-time printed business model. This is solved with a virtual try-on. Using a customer’s 3D-face scan, different models of eyeglasses can be superimposed on the customer’s face to find the perfect fit.
We worked with YouMaWo, a German startup that is revolutionizing the eye frames industry, to create a mobile app that uses 3D scanning to get measurements of the customer’s face. These measurements are then used to generate a 3D model of the customer’s face and generate automatic measures, which are used to print custom-fitted frames.
The YouMaWo app has many features that make it unique. First, it allows for the easy capture of customer face measurements. Second, it generates a 3D model of the customer’s face, which can be used to print custom-fitted frames. Finally, it allows for virtual try-on. This means that the customer can see how different models of frames look on their faces without having to try them on physically.
Sidekick Interactive is a company that creates world-class native mobile apps integrated with 3D-Scanning technology. These apps use 3D-scanning technology to capture precise measurements of the customer’s body and create many interactive experiences.
If you are interested in learning more about how Sidekick Interactive can help you with your app project, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss your specific needs and requirements.
Problem
The client was developing the Arize project to deploy 3D printed foot orthoses using their technologies and their network of American clinicians.
HP was looking to develop an automated end-to-end solution with modern native mobile tools.
To print a plantar orthosis with a 3D printer, it takes several resources, including precise measurements of the customer’s foot, as well as the specific foot problems to be solved by the orthosis.
Capturing its measurements and adjustments is typically very manual or done with high-end 3D scanners.
Solution
To optimize the tools in the hands of clinicians, we have developed a native iOS mobile application that interfaces with the 3D Structure Sensor scanner from Occipital and with the TrueDepth Sensor from Apple in order to make precise 3D scans of the feet.
Clinicians can also manage their order books via the app, as well as document their clients and each orthosis.
Sarah Troshian
Project Manager
Sidekick Interactive
Problem
Journal Métro of MétroMédia is the Montreal newspaper with the most journalists covering local news in the metropolis.
Before the COVID-19 crisis, the Métro newspaper was mainly printed and distributed in Montreal public transport. The environmental issue as well as the reality of the crisis meant that this avenue of distribution was not viable, and that the Métro newspaper had to reinvent itself and go through a digital transformation.
Solution
Sidekick collaborated with the client to create native iOS and Android mobile applications that allows readers to consume local news directly on their mobile phone receive alerts.
The application connects directly to the Journal Métro WordPress and interprets the articles to be able to make a native presentation, including social media inserts, for example.
“Once again, we took on the challenge of developing a native mobile application while adapting and integrating it with the client’s existing tools.”
Liam Coughlin
Software Engineer
Sidekick Interactive
Problem
Without a modern native mobile app, it was very difficult for FLO and its customers to interact with the system.
End-customers had to use cards preloaded with cash, and managing cards and credits was tedious. Also, the registration of new customers, whether for the use of public terminals or charging stations at home, was complicated and very manual.
The tools in place were beginning to show their limits and no longer met the changing needs of electric car owners and the growth of the business.
Solution
We decided to start with a brand-new native application for the iOS and Android platform.
Thanks to co-creation workshops, we were able to build an efficient and effective tool that meets all the objectives of users and the company. The user path has been completely redesigned to meet the new needs of users. The goal was to ensure a simple and accessible experience.
Our development team worked in collaboration with the client’s team which was developing its backend in parallel with our development.
Alexandre Boyer-Laporte
iOS Development Lead
Sidekick Interactive is known for its exceptional ability to ideate and co-create app designs with its clients. By working hand in hand with both the client and researchers, Sidekick can generate ideas that are both feasible and innovative. This process allows for a clear understanding of the project objectives and limitations, which helps to ensure that the final product exceeds expectations and delivers results.
Here are some of the steps to extrapolate our client’s ideas so that they can be built.
When it comes to designing and developing a mobile app, both the client and researchers need to understand the project objectives and limitations. This will help to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that the final product meets or exceeds expectations. Sidekick Interactive has years of experience working with clients and researchers alike, so we know how to navigate these waters effectively.
Sidekick Interactive recommends brainstorming solutions and ideas with the client and researchers. By exposing clients to the limits of technology, Sidekick Interactive can help to come up with creative and innovative ideas that will set your app apart from the competition.
When it comes to brainstorming solutions and ideas with clients and researchers, Sidekick Interactive recommends using a variety of techniques. Some of our favorites include:
One of the first steps in selecting the best ideas is to evaluate their technical complexity. Sidekick Interactive takes into account factors such as development time and cost, platform compatibility, and user experience. Do some ideas also pose technical risks, such as: Is this feasible? Are the APIs available? How easy is this idea to develop? We attempt to reduce these risks by having our developers do research, talk with other development teams, and sometimes create very small POCs. This allows us to focus on the most feasible ideas and bring them to fruition. This also helps our clients understand why certain features are complex and others are not.
Minimum viable product (MVP) is a key concept in software development, and it’s key to attempt to reduce products to their smallest possible footprint to test them and get feedback. Sidekick Interactive works with clients and researchers to decide which ideas make the MVP cut. This allows us to focus on delivering tangible results as quickly as possible.
Even before any design or development work begins, Sidekick Interactive starts thinking about the conceptual user experience. We want to ensure that we are meeting our clients’ and researchers’ expectations from day one. And by doing so, we can avoid costly changes down the road. We do this by thinking about our users and how they will use the app, and what their goals are, and we use many concepts of “design-thinking”. We also love to include real users throughout all of these phases.
Once we have a good understanding of the project objectives and limitations, Sidekick Interactive starts designing a tangible user experience. This includes creating user interfaces and mock-ups, and being as iterative as possible with our clients. We want our designers to have a great feel for what the client is looking for, so that they can proactively start designing all pages of the solutions.
After the prototype is created, Sidekick Interactive gets feedback from users. This helps us to fine-tune the app and make sure that it is user-friendly. We also use this feedback to make changes to the design, if necessary.
Sidekick Interactive has a process in place that helps to avoid delivering an app that is not what the client was expecting. The worst possible scenario is a developer not getting feedback until final delivery. At that point, changes are very hard to do and take a long time and cost. Our experience of co-creating projects and getting continual feedback from the client means we can reduce the chances of this happening. We also have a focus on designing a tangible user experience, which helps us get feedback from users early on in the process. This feedback loop ensures that we are constantly refining our designs, and this is the only way to produce high-quality work that meets the client’s expectations.
As the name suggests, 3D scanning is the process of collecting data on the three-dimensional shape of an object. This data can be used to create a digital model of the object, which can then be used for a variety of purposes such as 3D printing, product design, and even measurements to produce custom apparel, orthotics, and sports equipment manufacturers.
3D scanning is the process of collecting data on the three-dimensional shape of an object. This data can be used to create a digital model of the object, which can then be used for a variety of purposes such as 3D printing, product design, and even measurements to produce custom
3D scanning is a process that uses lasers and sensors to create a three-dimensional digital representation of an object. This data can then be used for a variety of purposes such as 3D printing, product design, and even measurements to produce custom apparel, orthotics, and sports equipment manufacturers.
There are many benefits of using 3D scanning for manufacturers. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can save a lot of time and money. For example, if a manufacturer wants to create a new product, they can use 3D scanning to quickly and easily create a digital model of the product. This saves them from having to create a physical prototype, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Another benefit of using 3D scanning is that it can help to improve the accuracy of measurements. When measuring objects by hand, there is always the potential for human error. However, when using 3D scanning, the measurements are taken by a machine, which means that they are much more accurate. This is particularly important for manufacturers who need to produce items to very precise specifications.
Finally, using 3D scanning can also help to speed up the production process. When all of the data for a product is collected upfront, it can be sent directly to the 3D printer, meaning that the product can be made much faster than if traditional methods were used.
3D scanning is a powerful tool that can offer significant benefits for manufacturers. It can save time and money, improve accuracy, and speed up production times. If you are a manufacturer, then it is definitely worth considering using 3D scanning for your business.
3D scanning can be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating digital models of objects, 3D printing, product design, and even measurements to produce custom apparel, orthotics, and sports equipment manufacturers.
3D scanning can be used to create custom-fitted orthotics. By scanning the feet, a digital model can be created which can then be used to produce orthotics that fit the specific shape of the feet. This is beneficial as it means that the orthotics will be more comfortable to wear and will provide better support. And feet are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to measuring the body for custom-fitted orthotics and other products.
One of the most popular applications for 3D scanning is creating custom-fitted eye frames. This process begins with a standard eye exam to obtain an accurate prescription. From there, a 3D scan is taken of the patient’s face to create a digital model. This model is then used to create a custom-fit pair of glasses.
Another application for 3D scanning is creating custom sports apparel. Using 3D scanning, manufacturers can quickly and easily create a digital model of an athlete’s body. This data can then be used to produce custom-fit clothing that is much more comfortable and effective than off-the-rack items.
There are several advantages to using 3D scanning over traditional methods. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it is much faster. With 3D scanning, all of the data for a product can be collected upfront, which means that the product can be made much faster than if traditional methods were used.
Another advantage of 3D scanning is that it is more accurate. When measuring objects by hand, there is always the potential for human error. However, when using 3D scanning, the measurements are taken by a machine, which means that they are much more accurate. This is particularly important for manufacturers who need to produce items to very precise specifications.
Finally, using 3D scanning can also help to speed up the production process. When all of the data for a product is collected upfront, it can be sent directly to the 3D printer, meaning that the product can be made much faster than if traditional methods were used.
Using 3D scanning apps can supercharge your experience when using 3D scanning technology. By providing a simple user interface, an app makes it easy to get started with 3D scanning. And by providing feedback as you are creating the scan, the app helps you to ensure that the scan is accurate. This combination of easy use and accuracy makes an app a powerful tool for anyone looking to integrate 3D scanning technology into their workflow.
3D scanning is a powerful tool that can offer significant benefits for manufacturers. It is fast, accurate, and can speed up production times. If you are a manufacturer, then it is definitely worth considering using 3D scanning for your business. And if you want to get the most out of your 3D scanning experience, then be sure to create a custom mobile app. With its simple user interface and accuracy-enhancing feedback, an app can supercharge your 3D scanning experience.
Sidekick Interactive is a leading provider of 3D scanning native mobile app development services. We have years of experience in creating custom mobile apps that make the most of 3D scanning technology. Our team of experts can help you to create a mobile app that is tailored to your needs and that takes advantage of the full potential of 3D scanning technology.
If you are interested in learning more about our 3D scanning native mobile app development services, please contact us today. We would be happy to discuss your project with you and answer any questions you may have.