Tag: Technology

Technology Is Changing the Patient Experience

Two key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Technology. As with all sectors of life, technology is changing the patient experience. While technology is literally changing patient, it’s also impacting the ancillary aspects of the patient experience as well. The following contributed post is entitled, Technology Is Changing the Patient Experience.

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Image from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Healthcare is one of the most important services that anyone will ever use and that any organization can provide. Healthy people are essential for a healthy society, so people need to be able to receive the healthcare that they require. For medical and healthcare providers, meeting their patients’ expectations and providing them with satisfaction is vital. The patient experience needs to be continually improving so that patients are happy with the care they receive and choose to remain with their healthcare providers for any future needs. Technology can help to improve the patient experience in a number of excellent ways, and is still developing to become even more useful.

Apps for Keeping Patients Updated and Engaged

Communicating well with patients is essential for any healthcare provider. Patients need to feel that they understand what is happening, and why things are happening too. Their family and friends also want to remain updated on their progress. At the same time, they need to know that any of their patient information is kept private and won’t get into the wrong hands. Apps like Ease are helping healthcare providers to improve Press Ganey scores with better communication. They can allow for messaging between doctors and patients, as well as their families, keeping them updated.

Image from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Reducing Medical Errors

Medical error could be responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths each year in the US. One reason serious medical errors could occur is if the doctor or other healthcare providers don’t have the necessary or correct information about the patient, medication or other important factors. Technology is helping to change this, with digital tools that make it easier to record and keep track of this vital information. For example, platforms for managing electronic prescribing and medical alerts can help to reduce errors and improve patient safety.

Make Care Easier to Access

Healthcare can also be made easier to access using technology today. One solution is telemedicine, which allows the use of apps, video calls and other tools to provide some types of healthcare to people online. Convenience is a huge factor in people’s interaction with any type of service, and that includes healthcare. If healthcare providers are far away or don’t have convenient appointment times, patients may be reluctant to engage with them. However, technology can offer a more accessible and convenient solution. Tech solutions can provide communication using several different channels to suit the patient.

Image from Pixabay – Pixabay License

Monitoring Health

Some healthcare providers are also using technology to help their patients monitor their health. For example, it’s possible for doctors to ask patients to wear a fitness tracker such as a Fitbit during the day. The patient can then share the data from their fitness tracker to show their doctor important information, such as their heart rate, oxygen levels, activity levels and other metrics that might be tracked. Some healthcare providers have their own apps to help their patients track various health measurements.

Technology continues to develop and could provide many more useful solutions in the future, with artificial intelligence especially offering some interesting possibilities.

Three Undeniable Benefits of Adopting AI-Powered Business Technology

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily growing. Numerous businesses are incorporating it as it has the potential to make operations more efficient and profitable. The following contributed post is entitled, Three Undeniable Benefits of Adopting AI-Powered Business Technology.

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Whether your startup is the new kid on the block or you’re already a fully-fledged business, staying informed of the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is crucial if you wish to remain viable within your competitive industry and the ever-changing market as a whole.

Of course, embracing the latest technology in our lives does come at a cost. That said, there are tremendous benefits on offer, especially in the world of business, as long as we understand how to use technology without becoming dependent on it. Leveraging new developments in AI technology for business is a great way to streamline laborious processes and boost the productivity of your growing operation. Adopting new AI technology is also one of the primary ways to announce to the market at large that your business embraces innovation and change.

If you’re on the fence about adopting emerging technologies in the world of AI, this list of benefits for implementing the latest AI innovations could encourage you build AI into your business processes.

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AI-powered Cyber Security

If your startup isn’t investing in advanced cyber security, your data is exposed to threat. This not only risks your customers’ safety, but also puts the reputation of your business on the line. (These days, there’s nothing as bad for business as a data breach!) One of the biggest growth areas for AI is in cyber security, with market-leading technologies like Darktrace leading the pack. One of the main advantages that AI has over human beings is that robots never sleep—they don’t get tired, either. Cyber security is an area that has made great use of this feature, enabling 24/7 monitoring with the constant vigilance that is required to protect complex systems from ever-evolving threats.

Streamline Business Processes

Robots are not the only form of AI that have captured the imaginations of business leaders all over the globe. The variety of AI applications has gone way beyond science-fiction and become totally integrated into the day-to-day of modern business operations. As AI becomes more popular, the world’s top business leaders have started to leverage the most advanced forms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to radically change the way—and the rate at which—some of the most essential business tasks are done. For example, AI has helped to reduce the role of human error by reducing the need for human involvement in repetitive manual tasks and processes. It has also helped to streamline procedures that were previously wasteful and time-consuming.

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Make Your Team More Productive

Harnessing the power of AI in your startup operations could significantly free up the hardworking members of your team so that they can accomplish more of the tasks that demand creativity and imagination—for example, design or strategy—which will help your business grow. AI-powered business technology covers an impressive range of business procedures, from HR to manufacturing and everything in between. If you’re wondering how AI could help your business, start by identifying what tasks are the most draining for your team. Whether you get an AI-powered Payroll system or invest in a virtual assistant, harnessing AI solutions is a great way to clear your schedule of repetitive tasks and make your team more productive.

Whether you’ve just burst onto the scene or your business is ticking away steadily, AI-powered technology could help supercharge your team’s productivity, improve your security, and streamline your operation.

Taiwan is Becoming a Blockchain Island, and Jason Hsu is behind it

Three key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. Blockchain Technology is a technology that will impact numerous sectors is an area that’s worth keeping an eye for those the financial and technology sectors. In the first Blockchain Technology piece on my blog, I gave a comprehensive overview of the technology. The following guest post comes courtesy of Techwarn. It discusses plans to implement and grow the technology on the island of Taiwan and is entitled, Taiwan is Becoming a Blockchain Island, and Jason Hsu is behind it.

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Image from pixabay.com

The world’s digital infrastructure, internet usage, and connectivity are changing rapidly. This is all thanks to the emergence of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain. Blockchain — the technology behind cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, etc. — in particular, is a very powerful idea. Just like the internet did in the 1990s, Blockchain has the potential to revolutionize our lives.

Although it was originally developed for financial transactions, blockchain technology can be used to record just about any type of data or transaction. This revolutionary technology allows the distribution of digital information without copying thereby creating a new kind of internet that seems incorruptible. The use cases of blockchain extend beyond cryptocurrencies, and many countries are still on the fence on whether to advance its adoption, with the exception of Taiwan.

Serious About Innovation

The east Asian island nation-state of Taiwan is serious about innovation in the fintech. The country is pumping millions of dollars into advancing the adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. Jason Hsu, a congressman in the Taiwanese parliament is working tirelessly to integrate blockchain on a national level and steer the state towards the use of blockchain technology for more than just cryptocurrencies. His goal is to help Taiwan become a blockchain island.

In an interview with Jason Hsu, ExpressVPN asked the popular Taiwanese parliamentarian how exactly he plans to transform the small island nation-state into a crypto and blockchain hub. According to Jason Hsu, the law is a major impediment to innovation in the country. The congressman wants to use his legislative powers to help create an environment that nurtures and cultivates blockchain and financial technology and attract more start-ups to the island.

Who’s Jason Hsu?

Jason Hsu is a former Silicon Valley entrepreneur who wants to turn Taiwan into a haven for people working on different applications for blockchain technology. Hsu moved back to the island in 2009 and started working with the government as the advisor to the prime minister on matters innovation and technology. He joined politics in 2016 after being nominated to the Taiwanese parliament as a legislator-at-large. In his role as a congressman, Jason Hsu focuses on technology broadly and does not represent any singular district.

Since he became a congressman, Jason Hsu has worked on legislation relating to autonomous vehicles, cybersecurity, and the digital economy. Currently, the man christened “the Crypto Congressman” by Ethereum’s Vitalik Buterin is on a mission to transform Taiwan into a blockchain island and cryptocurrency hub. Jason Hsu is working tirelessly to deal with any issues between public policy approach and technology. The ‘Crypto Congressman’ hopes to remove legal barriers to technology innovation in the island.

How Has Jason Hsu Changed Taiwan?

The blockchain landscape in the world remains highly uncertain. Countries such as Singapore and Switzerland have taken a proactive approach and have cultivated favorable environments for the advancement of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. These nations are the pioneers of the current digital currency regulatory frameworks in favor of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Taiwan wants to join the ranks of Singapore and Switzerland and become a blockchain island. Jason Hsu is leading transformation efforts.

As neighbors China and South Korea issue blanket ban on ICOs and ICO activity, Taiwan is moving in a different direction. Lawmakers in the island are passing legislation intended to encourage cryptocurrency and blockchain innovation in the island. Congressman Jason Hsu has played a pivotal role in the drafting and passing of legislation designed to advance blockchain and financial technology in the country. For instance, the legislator helped draft and pass Taiwan’s Regulatory Sandbox Bill.

The Financial Technology Experimentation and Innovation Act

Taiwan’s Financial Technology Experimentation and Innovation Act, popularly known as the Regulatory Sandbox Bill, is historical regulatory legislation designed to overhaul the island’s fintech and usher in a new era for the sector. The Regulatory Sandbox Bill allowed selected start-ups to launch new products and services with some immunity from existing regulation for up to one year. The bill was passed on 29th December 2017 and was a response to the decision by the Chinese government to block ICOs.

In September 2017, two months before the Financial Technology Experimentation and Innovation Act was signed into law, Chinese authorities banned Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) by cryptocurrency websites in mainland China. Congressman Jason Hsu came up with the idea to draft the Regulatory Sandbox Bill to ‘capitalize on this chance to introduce friendly legislation that nurtures and cultivates blockchain technology and attract more start-ups to Taiwan.’ This move earned Jason Hsu the nickname ‘Crypto Congressman.’

According to Congressman Jason Hsu, the goal of the Taiwan authorities is to create a fair regulatory environment that encourages innovation and protects the rights of the consumer. The ‘crypto congressman’ believes that Taiwan’s large pool of talent can pilot and pioneer projects that can build actual applications for the blockchain and transform Taiwan into a blockchain island. Compared to Silicon Valley, Hsu notes that the island nation has a supply of cheaper engineers who are just as good — if not better — than their counterparts in Silicon Valley.

What About Taiwan That Makes It Ripe for Blockchain and Technology Development?

In addition to his contribution in the drafting and passing of the Regulatory Sandbox Bill, the congressman has drafted numerous policy recommendations to make Taiwan more friendly to blockchain and cryptocurrency start-ups. The ‘Crypto Congressman’ has helped create a bipartisan alliance designed to help support the blockchain industry. The parliamentary coalition is currently working on implementing a number of crypto and blockchain legislation in his quest to transform the tiny nation-state into a blockchain island.

So far, Congressman Jason Hsu says he has introduced 25 projects across different government departments to address the implementation of blockchain technology in areas such as drug testing and supply chain management. Authorities in Taiwan understand that blockchain has great economic potential and are doing their best to advance the adoption of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. The positivity of Taiwanese authorities towards innovation in cryptocurrency and blockchain technology indicates that the island is ripe for blockchain and fintech development.

How Technology Is Both Good And Bad For Business

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. While it’s an integral part of everything today, technology can be both good and bad for your business. It’s important to think about which effect it’s having. The following contributed post is entitled, How Technology Is Both Good And Bad For Business.

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Modern technology; it’s good for business, right?

Well, the answer isn’t a simple one. While we are in no way saying we should go back to the paper and pen age, or rely on calculators for our accounts and fax machines for communication, there are pros and cons to technology that business owners need to understand.

On the plus side…

Technology can reduce risk. Across a range of industries, today’s technologies are a lifesaver for many businesses. Engineers and designers have 3D mapping and forming software at their disposal to evaluate the viability of their products before the production process is started in full. IT systems can be secured with anti-virus software that blocks out potential hacking attempts. And businesses can use data automation software that eliminates the capacity for human error. In such instances, the technology used provides a safety net for the business owner, and the chances of a disaster can be averted.

Technology increases efficiency. In a time not too far away, business owners were stuck with time-consuming processes that had a negative effect on productivity. But times have changed for the better, so thanks to the latest advances in technology, the business owner actually has the opportunity to achieve a work-life balance that doesn’t necessitate overtime. Chatbots can manage customer queries, collaboration tools can speed up interactions between teams, and teleconferencing software negates the need to travel to business meetings.

Technology is good for marketing. Thanks to the advantages afforded by the internet, the business owner can extend his marketing reach. Through a well-designed website, and social media and email marketing, word can get out quickly and cheaply. To make life even easier, the business owner can also use marketing automation software to improve efficiency and generate more leads.

In such instances, technology is clearly good for business. For any business owner looking to alleviate risk, increase efficiency, and grow their operations, investing in technology is a no-brainer.

However, as we alluded to earlier, there is a downside to using technology, and while we aren’t suggesting the business owner rules out the use of technology altogether, it is important to consider the negatives.

On the minus side…

Businesses can become too dependant on technology. The continued use of software for everyday business processes can make life almost too easy for the business owner. Everything is fine when these things are working as they should, but when the computer goes on the blink, the business owner can become stuck. If he has become reliant on accounting software, for example, he might then struggle to manage his invoicing and budgeting. Those in business need to be mindful then, investing in training for management and employees, so they have the necessary skills to handle the tasks that software usually manages.

Businesses can put customer relations at risk. Chatbots are great, but they a little impersonal. Live chat software is useful for speeding up customer communications, but again, the use of text can come across as a little cold. While we advocate both technologies, it is important to understand that some customers would prefer the opportunity to speak over the phone with a representative when trying to get help for their queries. It’s about offering the personal touch, as this can encourage friendly human conversation and improve customer relationships.

Finally

Technology is good for business, and to stay within consumer and industry trends, the business owner shouldn’t neglect the tools that are available to him. However, there are downsides, and these shouldn’t be overlooked either. We haven’t listed every pro and con here, but should you be in business, commit to further research to give you the right perspective on how to use technology responsibly.

How Technology Has Changed Our Lives

Two of the focuses of my blog are Current Events and Technology. Our world is much, much different than it was just ten years ago and much of it has to do with the technology available to us. Our lives have been altered and even the way business is conducted has shifted it was well. The following contributed post is entitled, How Technology Has Changed Our Lives.

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It’s fair to say that technology is now more prominent than ever in our lives, and it’s hard to believe a world without it. So how has technology changed our lives?

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Our Education

The way we are educated has certainly been affected positively by technology. First and foremost, courses and training are available online. It now allows individuals to do all the work via the internet, rather than having to physically attend a class or training session. Not only that but technology is now dominating the classroom, where we now have a lot of electronic devices that can help with studying, like laptops and tablets.

How We Socialise

Social media is now a powerhouse for many businesses to communicate effectively with their customers and proves useful for advertising and reaching out to new clients. Most individuals now have a social media profile of some description, and it’s changed the way we communicate. A lot of us will talk over platforms like Facetime and Skype, whenever we’re away from home. It’s such a great piece of technology that has helped friends and family see each other’s faces, even though it’s not quite the same as seeing them in the flesh. For all the negatives to do with social media, there are plenty of positives.

Traditional Media Is Ceasing To Exist

It’s also changed how we read newspapers and magazines. Traditional media has certainly taken a knock to its popularity since digital media came into play. A lot of us use our mobile devices or tablets/laptops a lot more, and for use on a commute to work, digital news sites are reigning supreme. We can find out news from Israel and other countries at the touch of a button. Although it’s unlikely that traditional media will cease to exist entirely, it does look like we prefer digital media as opposed to traditional formats. Another reason why traditional media is dying off is that a lot of businesses are using the digital world to advertise and a lot of newspapers or magazines would often rely on advertising space to make more profit.

It’s Helped Make Our Lifestyles Easier

Our lifestyles have been made much simpler with technology, and it’s helped in a variety of ways. From remote controls to close and open blinds to apps on your phone that can alter the lighting in your home or put on the heating, even if you’re not in the property itself. All these apps and software that now exist, certainly make living a lot less stressful and complicated. It won’t be long before we have the technology to help with every single element of our day to day lifestyle. We are busier than ever before and therefore, we expect now for technology to give us a helping hand where possible.

Technology has certainly changed dramatically over such a short period of time and who knows where it will go in the next five or ten years. It’s certainly possible though it could advance at even a faster rate than ever before as more money is pumped into upgrading technology.

What’s New In Tech?

One of the key focuses of my blog is Technology. For career, investment and lifestyle purposes, it’s important to keep up on the latest advances in technology. The following contributed post is entitled, What’s New In Tech?

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You probably think of yourself as being reasonably efficient when it comes to technology. You have your smartphone, smart speaker and all manner of gadgets that help to make your life that much easier. But there’s always more out there under development, waiting to surprise us all with clever, evolving technology.

In this blog we take a look at some emerging technologies and what you might see in the headlines over the next 12 months.

Image from Pixabay

Gaming

If you’re big on gaming you might already have your name in the hat for the brand new Playstation 5, coming out, well, no one really knows when. Rumours that 2019 would be the big reveal were quashed by Sony so it looks likely that gaming fans will have to wait until 2020 to get the hands on this fantastic console.

Arch rivals Xbox aren’t to be ignored with the much-anticipated Xbox 2 due to hit the shops soon too. Like the Playstation it looks likely that it will be released next year much to the delight of loyal Xbox fans.

Entertainment

Does your television swamp your living room? While you love the idea of a big screen that makes movies exciting and gaming extraordinary, when it’s just sitting there, it looks kind of big. Then you should consider a television that rolls away when you’re not using it, into a handy table top box. That’s right, it rolls away.

Due out later this year from LG, the technology allows the screen to stretch to 65 inches before disappearing. There’s currently no price listed for this brand new kit, so watch this space.

Transport

Electric cars? Tick. We’re all on board with transport that allow us to create less pollution but that still perform to the standards we expect from our cars. But how about an electric motorbike from iconic name Harley Davidson? This fully electronic vehicle still maintains the classic Harley lines but it super quiet and fully automatic meaning no clutch or gears to take care of.

Get yours towards the end of the summer from around $30,000,

Government

Making it easier and more secure to vote, governments around the world are looking towards Artificial Intelligence to prevent fraud and keep the process as transparent and easy to deliver as possible. With automation from smartmatic, keep abreast of the latest ways in which countries are encouraging the democratic process.

Leisure

Keen on mixing up the real with the not so real? Give NReal’s glasses are try. Sure, they look like ordinary streetwear but allow you to mix reality with augmented reality with their smart lenses. You’ll be plunged into a world of high quality sound and images as you figure out what’s real and what’s not on your way to work

Useful tech

Charging your phone has been covered by a great many companies with handheld chargers but the latest charger from Mophie acts as a hard case as well as charging your phone, which is just plain useful. It promises more than 30 hours battery life and fits the more recent iPhone models.

If that wasn’t enough, how about a watch that tracks all your activity and your sleep. Yes, that sounds familiar but the difference with the model from Withings is that it comes in much cheaper than its rivals and only requires charging after around 18 months of wear. Not only smart but much lower maintenance than its high street rivals.

In the kitchen

There’s always something budding chefs so get yours a toaster with a difference. How about a toaster that’s see through, completely clear. You’ll never have suffer the disaster that is burnt toast again and bagels will toasted to perfection, thanks to this unusual design.

If that doesn’t tempt you then pick up a KitchenAid Connect for a snip at more than $1,000. It does everything from stirring as it sautees, chopping up vegetables to your prefered size to measuring and weighing. Truly a chef’s best friend in the kitchen.

Whatever you’re into, there’ll be a piece of technology out there with your name on. From sunglasses that merge realities to new realities in the form of the latest gaming consoles. From kitchen gadgets that take all the work out of cooking to chargers that work on the go and protect your screen.

Tech is evolving at a rapid pace with new, fun and exciting gadgets hitting the high streets every year. The next 12 months promises to be an exciting adventure as more and more emerge for every taste and for every budget.

The Science and Technology Behind Control Panels

Three key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. In many businesses, control panels are important tools as they are used to carry out specific functions. Depending upon the business you’re running, you may want to customize specific control panels for your operations. The following contributed post is entitled, The Science and Technology Behind Control Panels.

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Image Courtesy Of Alexandre Debiève

When being tasked with setting up a control panel as part of your business, it is wise to do your research beforehand for the safety of your business. Science and technology today are moving the world forward and new innovations are being made daily to help the world run more efficiently. The same can be said for the improvements in control panels.

Companies such as OSCO Controls are at the forefront of custom control panels. In their custom control panel development process, they follow 6 steps to set your company up with the most durable control panel:

  1. Project Need Analysis
  2. Panel Design
  3. Panel Documentation
  4. Fabrication and Programming
  5. Testing and Quality Control
  6. Technical Support

It goes without saying that safety needs to come first when customizing control panels. Prioritizing the operator safety is of the utmost importance. Since your control panel is customized, it is important that all safety precautions be taken in regard to your specific control panel. The safety review will dictate the optimum control technologies, automation programming, and the control’s physical placement to make sure the operator is safe.

One of the scientific breakthroughs OSCO uses is the ability to pre-program large lift controls to stop at the customer specified height requirements. Their control panel also contains a programmable logic controller and an HMI screen that is used to control and monitor the whole system.

Their team will work collaboratively with your company to design the most specific control panel to meet your needs. Once they understand the application requirements of your company, they will analyze all variables to ensure that their electrical system design will improve productivity, simplify processes, and provide safe operation. This system gives the operator the ability to handle different tasks with the ease of a button. They are provided with precision controls, adjustable variable speed drives, and include emergency stop devices.

The final major piece a company like OSCO provides is a lasting partnership. As discussed in Benefits of running IT as intended, it is essential to have a connection with anyone who has a strong understanding of the technology behind a system. Once set up, OSCO can be used as a resource to come to with any questions or concerns. Even when the job is completed, they offer services such as:

• Evaluate and recommend new controls, technology, and design for process applications
• Onsite installation and set up
• Assess and troubleshoot issues
• Program and implement new software
• Commission and integrate product info and user’s equipment

Their expertise in the field will be able to provide you with a sense of relief in knowing that they are able to respond to any control issues that you may run into. When it comes to control panels, it is essential that you have the safest and most functional panel possible. And with Science and Technology constantly evolving, having the right company to partner with that can stay on top of the changes will make a world of difference for your business.

Taking Care Of Your IT In Business

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. In today’s modern age, most businesses use some form of technology. Information Technology (IT) services that aren’t operating properly can be costly and hurt productivity and thus their maintenance is paramount. The following contributed post is entitled, Taking Care Of Your IT In Business.

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Any business in the world needs to use a considerable amount of IT if they are to keep on top of things and to keep moving in the right direction. If you are starting up a new business, and you are unsure how to approach the whole issue of IT, then there are many things that you might want to consider in order to make it a little easier. For most entrepreneurs, the tech behind a business is one of the more challenging aspects, and it might be something that you find you need to work on in order to improve it and keep the business going strong. In this article, we are going to take a look at just some of the things you might want to do in order to properly take care of your IT. Do that, and you will find that your business is much better off for it.

Only Have What You Need

One of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs make is trying to get technology to do absolutely everything, even that which is clearly not intended to be completed in that way. The trouble with overusing tech is that you only end up causing more issues for yourself, as you inevitably will find that you are going to have to spend more time fixing and keeping it running than the amount of time you will have saved by using it. Therefore, you should make a point of only making use of technology where you need to, so that you can hope to keep it as simple as possible, and also keep the process of looking after it simple too.

Outsource IT

Something that the vast majority of business do these days is outsource their IT. There are many great benefits to doing this, and it is one of those things that you will find you absolutely have to do if you run a smaller business or a startup. When you outsource your IT, you effectively free up time and space in your own business for whatever else you want to do. At the same time, you will find that it is inevitably going to be looked after considerably better, and that you will run into few problems. Any problems that remain are likely to be fixed quickly by that team, and you might never even heard of it. If you visit https://www.ribbitbusiness.com/ you will see a great example of this kind of service which you might want to consider for your business.

Consider Training

If you do have any IT teams in your building, you will want to make sure that they know exactly what they are doing. In order to do that, you will need to think about training them up wherever necessary, in order that you might be able to keep the IT running as smoothly as possible. The more training you give them, the more likely it is that they will be able to do whatever is required to keep it going.

Office Technology that Will Improve Your Staff Productivity

Three of the key focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Technology. A key to running any business/organization today is having the proper technology in place. Doing so will have improve your staffs productivity and your overall efficiency. The following contributed post discusses this and is entitled, Office Technology that Will Improve Your Staff Productivity.

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If you would like to stay competitive in your marketplace without having to invest a lot of money in new processes and procedures, you can rely on technology to help you improve the productivity of your staff while making their life in the office easier. Companies are looking for new ways of providing more value to their customers at a lower cost, and some smaller IT improvements can do just that. Find out more below.

Image via Flickr

Customer Chat

It is important that you answer customers’ queries as soon as possible. Today’s consumers’ attention span is much shorter than the previous generation’s and they are looking for immediate answers. You can find a system that will gather all the feedback and pop up on one of your employees’ computers, so they don’t have to stay logged into various systems and get distracted just to provide excellent customer service.

Shared Calendar

Image via PxHere

If collaboration is something that is necessary in your business, you will need to allow your staff to work on projects together and collaborate. You can create a virtual workplace where they can share and update projects. While a Google Suite system might do the job in the beginning, you might want to talk to an expert at inc-systems.com/services/managed-it-services/ to find out whether or not your business could benefit from a custom calendar and a CMS system.

Cloud Computing

It is crucial that you encourage the use of cloud computing. You will not only be able to automatically back up your files and take notes, share insights, update your team on the go, but also share information with your customers faster. You will have to install advanced security, though, so you can prevent the accidental disclosure of sensitive information.

Social Media Tools for Scheduling

If you are involved in digital marketing, you might have a member of staff updating your social media accounts and posts regularly. If they have other jobs as well, they will find managing everything very challenging. Instead of giving them half an hour a day, every day, you can allocate a few hours every month when they can schedule the jobs ahead. You can use an advanced scheduling and posting service and a social media calendar to make the most out of your reach and engagement.

Digital Learning Platform and Knowledge Base

It is also important that you empower your staff and help them become more efficient. This is why improving your office technology is necessary. If you have a knowledge base available for staff, they will find the answers without having to speak to a manager, and deal with customer queries faster and more professionally. You might also deliver your regular training or updates using your internal systems accessible any time, so they can complete the tasks when they are not compromising customer service or their own productivity.

Upgrading your office IT system can help you manage the different tasks in your company and improve your staff productivity at the same time.

Staying Ahead of Smart Tech

A key focus of my blog is Technology. As time goes on, we’re developing new technologies for everything. As such, it’s important to be able to understand the positives and the negatives of these new technologies. The following contributed post is thus entitled, Staying Ahead of Smart Tech.

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Yes, we can control our lighting and heating from our phones and we don’t even have to be in our homes to start recording our favourite shows, but is this smart technology all that it’s cracked up to be? Is there a danger that we are, in fact, growing far too reliant on tech that makes our decisions for us? In this short article we take a look at the ups and downs of smart tech and the role it plays in all our lives.

Ups

Let’s face it, the use of clever, interconnected devices that talk to one another really does make our lives easier. From smart speakers that respond to a single voice command to devices that send and receive data about our home power usage and adjust their levels accordingly.

In theory all this technology can not only save us time but money too as we use its capabilities to keep a closer track on power use and help lower our bills.

Smart tech also helps stay independent as we have greater access to the things that make our life easier and safer. Smart timers across multiple platforms that remind us to take medication and phone apps that monitor our diet and if we’re getting enough sleep.

Image from Pixabay

Downs

One of the largest areas of concern when it comes to interconnectivity is that of security and privacy. If we take the latter first, how are we to really know what becomes of all the data that is held on us. Not just our confidential information, such as our bank details but all the day-to-day interactions we have with our devices, the entertainment we access, how much energy we use, even what we Google. Somewhere all this data exists and if recent cases of data breaches are anything to go by, this alone makes us vulnerable.

The second issue is that of security. While many of our devices, such as our phones, have their own operating systems that can be updated for greater protection against viruses much of our tech doesn’t. And it’s these devices that freely send and receive and data that are the concern. With little or no protection in place against cyber-attack, how are we to prevent them turning rogue and infecting our whole network should one fall victim to a virus or hack?

Whatever our concerns it seems inevitable that our lives are only going to become more rather than less connected with tech giants and companies like Sylvania Connected Solutions working towards more integrated solutions on a large scale.

So, while we should embrace the future of our homes, cars and cities as becoming ever more entwined with technology there’s no harm in maintaining caution when it comes to how we choose to use our smartphones.

The future might be tech-driven but we are all still very human and have a right to our privacy and how our data is stored and shared. Let’s stay one step ahead of this smart technology.