Technically Easy

Category: Technology

  • 4 Tools That Your Growing Online Business Needs

    4 Tools That Your Growing Online Business Needs

    After all the hard work that goes into designing, setting up and promoting your online business, there is nothing more rewarding than starting to see measurable results. Whilst this may seem like the perfect time to sit back and relax, this is actually a crucial turning point; keeping pace with a growing business is essential to sustainable success. As your online company starts to gather speed, here are some incredibly useful tools you might wish to integrate.

    1. Live Chat

    Exceptional customer service is at the core of any successful business, and as your customer base expands, continued investment in quality relationships is crucial. Live chat is one of the most cost-efficient and competitive ways to further engage with customers and distinguish yours as a company that cares. The instant nature of live chat enables questions and queries to be dealt with as they arise, allowing you to respond quickly and proactively despite increased traffic, as well as enhancing the convenience factor for your customers. What’s more, it’s an easy way to incorporate a personal element even as your company grows.

    2. Accounting Software

    One of the side effects of a healthy business is an increased workload, calling for a more long-term approach to invoicing and record-keeping. A growing number of established companies are making use of online accounting software or cloud-based services which, owing to the ease of remote access, are highly beneficial for internet-based enterprises. This article provides further insight into how an integrated accounting system can enhance your burgeoning business.

    3. Professional Email Hosting

    If you haven’t already adopted a professional email hosting system, now is the time to do so. A business-orientated email package, such as those provided by 1&1, facilitates internal operations by providing multiple mailboxes as well as plenty of storage space. Additional organizational features, like the task and calendar tools, also help your business to run smoothly and streamline teamwork, regardless of location.

    4. Efficient Social Media

    As your business starts to flourish and time becomes increasingly scarce, you may find social media falling further and further down the list in terms of priority. However, as an essential means for engaging with your customers and keeping your brand relevant, it is crucial to continue to build upon your initial social media campaign. Tools such as Hootsuite make it easier to maintain a consistent social media presence, enabling you to schedule bulk posts ahead of time and across multiple platforms, so that communication with your audience remains regular despite increasing time constraints.

  • Creating My Plex Server

    Creating My Plex Server

    Just over a year ago I started out using Plex to manage my home media library. I had used a media player that had many of my ripped DVDs, and was connected to a T.V. for several years. The issue was I wanted something that would allow me to watch my movies, view my photos, and listen to my music from any of my devices that were connected to my local network. After a quick search, I discovered Plex.

    What is Plex and Why I Needed a Plex Server

    In a nutshell, Plex is a client-server-type architecture. You essentially install the Plex Media Server on a machine in your home, and the Plex apps on the devices you want to connect to the server and then you will be able to stream the media from the server to the device. Right now, my Plex clients are a desktop, two laptops, two iPhones, an iPad, an Android phone, and a Roku 3. My main method of accessing Plex is through the Roku 3 connected to my HDTV.

    On the Plex server I have ripped all my Blu-ray and some DVD discs, and installed iTunes to get access to my wife’s iTunes music, as well as linked to all my family photos and videos. All of this can be accessed from any of my Plex-enabled devices at anytime.

    Over the past year of using Plex, the one thing I didn’t have was a dedicated Plex server. I had run my Plex server on my main Windows 7 desktop, which I would turn off when I wasn’t using it – such as during the day when I was at work. When the desktop was running, it used over 100 watts of power, and even more if I was playing a game, so it wasn’t very economical to have it running all the time.

    Because of this, Plex wasn’t available all the time, and I had to go and turn on my desktop if I wanted to watch a movie, or someone else wanted to watch something through Plex.

    A few months ago I decided to look into using a dedicated machine as my Plex server. Over the past year of using Plex, I was also learning what was needed for a Plex server, and surprisingly, the requirements for a Plex server really isn’t much, especially compared to something like a gaming machine.

    What Is Needed For a Plex Server?

    Any machines I have built-in the past were always geared towards gaming. With gaming, you really can’t have too much of anything, and sometimes buying the latest and greatest provided better gaming experience – think graphics cards.

    With Plex, really the only thing that matters is the processor you install in the machine. If a device you connect to the Plex server can’t natively play a media file on the server, Plex will transcode (change) the file into a format the device can play. The transcoding process happens on the server by the server’s processor, and the largest CPU usage happens when transcoding high-definition movies.

    According to the Plex documentation that discusses CPU requirements, a processor PassMark of 2000 is recommended to transcode a single 1080p media file and 1500 for a 720p media file. You can lookup processor PassMark scores at Passmark. Just put the name of the processor in the search box, click search and select the benchmark link in the results, or just click the “Benchmark results” link at the top of the results to narrow down the results to benchmarks only. When viewing the benchmark results the number under “Average CPU Mark” is the PassMark score.

    Of course, if you can get Plex to direct play all your movies, then you can get by with a lower PassMark score, however, you will need to be sure that all your movies will direct play with all devices.

    Besides the processor, there really isn’t any major requirement for Plex. An internal graphics card, 4 GB RAM, any modern hard drive for the system will all work fine for a Plex server. Of course, if you plan on running more on the server besides just Plex, then you may have higher server requirements, but for someone like me, you won’t need anything over-powering.

    Keep in mind that many of the consumer-level NAS devices on the market do not have a processor powerful enough to transcode HD videos. Only the more expensive (think $1000+) NAS devices have the processors that are capable of transcoding HD videos.

    Plex supports many operating systems, so picking one that you are familiar with is the best option.

    My Plex Server Requirements

    With the above in mind, I decided to look at what I could build for my Plex server. The desktop (circa January 2010) running Plex at the time with the following specs:

    • Processor: i7 920 2.67GHz (PassMark: 4992)
    • RAM: 12GB
    • Hard drive: (2) 500GB Western Digital Blue (Raid 0)
    • Operating System: Windows 10 Pro (upgraded from Windows 7 Pro)
    • Graphics cards: (2) HD Radeon 5850 1GB (Crossfire)
    • Plex storage: Western Digital Duo 8TB

    For an almost 6-year-old machine, it ran Plex without any issues, but as I stated earlier, just consumes a lot of power. Also, the computer is rather load when it is running, so not only did I want a machine that used less power, but I also wanted a more quiet machine.

    Before I started to think about what I wanted for my Plex server I developed a list of requirements that I needed for the new server:

    • Needed to use less than 50 watts of power when idle, but the computer must stay on – not in sleep mode.
    • Quiet enough that it couldn’t be heard when standing in the same room.
    • The processor needed to have a PassMark of at least 6000 – enough to transcode 3 HD movies.
    • Include USB 3.0 ports because the media files were stored on the Western Digital Duo that is USB 3.0.

    A monitor, keyboard, and mouse are not required as I can share my existing desktop hardware. I will be creating a headless (no connected monitor) Plex server so a monitor, keyboard, and mouse will only be connected during the setup of the machine.

    Once I had my server requirements I had to decided how best to go about acquiring my new server.

    To Build or Buy?

    When building a server there were two options available to me – build a new machine or buy a pre-built one. Since I like to build and upgrade machines, I chose to go the former route first.

    I decided to try multiple server configurations at PCPartPicker to see what I could come up with in terms of parts for the new server.

    After trying out a few configurations I realized that most of the configurations would be about $700 CAD (Canadian), and I wasn’t looking at spending that much for a computer that would just stream media files to my devices. Fortunately, the requirements of my Plex server didn’t need high-end hardware, or did it need any hardware created in the last year or two, so I decided to go with my next choice – buying a machine. In my case, I decided to go for a used machine to save on cost as they are usually cheaper than newer machines.

    I searched eBay for systems that would meet the requirements I stated above. I found multiple systems that filled the requirements nicely so I began to watch the auctions to watch how the pricing of the machines changed.

    After a few weeks, I finally managed to win an auction for a Lenovo ThinkCentre system for $200, which I was quite happy about. The system has the following specs:

    After reinstalling Windows 10 Pro, the Plex Media Server application, moving over the Plex data, and reconnecting the external drives containing my media files, my new Plex server was up and running. Over the past month my Plex server has run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without any issues.

    Now that the server is up and running, I have managed to do much more with the server than simply run Plex.

  • 3 Simple Ways To Blast Past The Competition

    3 Simple Ways To Blast Past The Competition

    If you’re thinking of improving your business, it may be difficult to know where to start. Should you try the practical Management by Objective method invented by the legendary Peter Drucker? Should you hire a PMP course certified professional? Should you give the disciplined, data-driven strategies of Six Sigma a go? What about Agile Management? Should you give Agile Project Management with Scrum a chance?

    Many ingenious management models are available. They can make a huge difference to your bottom line. But it takes time and cost to get certified. They all need extensive study and practice to do well. It takes experts to teach them and disciplined application to get good at using them. Before you try any of them, why not get a jumpstart on your competition through technology? A quicker way to gain a competitive advantage is to upgrade your technology.

    Technology increases efficiency. Business growth depends on efficient processes that save time. When you save time, you can do more, and the more you do, the more you can earn.

    Your business will experience a quantum leap in efficiency if it just upgrades in three areas:

    1. Communication: Get a more efficient telephone system.
    2. Computer systems: Use computers designed for business.
    3. Software: Leverage the same software the big players in your industry use.

    Let’s look at each one more closely…

    1. Communication: Get a more efficient telephone system

    It’s hard to imagine improving on the high standard available for telephones. But improvement does not mean a faster, more reliable connection or a clearer line. You probably have these already. Instead, think about improving your infrastructure.

    One telephone system that has an excellent infrastructure is the PBX systems. If you don’t have it, you should get one. If you already have one, then you can upgrade it by moving it to the cloud. A hybrid infrastructure that puts a PBX system on the cloud will give you a competitive edge. You will have more than a feature-rich service. You will also have disaster recovery and location independence.

    2. Computer systems: Use computers designed for business

    Many small businesses buy the same computers used as home users. But specialized business PCs would serve their needs better than consumer PCs.

    There are 4 distinct advantages to using a business desktop for your team:

    1. They are sturdier, built to last longer.
    2. They are easier to service. It can cost you income, when your computer is down. If you can get it fixed fast you’ll save lost earning time.
    3. You’ll be able to get specialized technical support services. You’ll be able to immediately troubleshoot any hardware or software problems.
    4. You can get a service contract to get your technical support calls. Unlike regular consumers, you won’t wait on the line for hours. Instead, you’ll get your calls answered faster from a dedicated support team.

    But that’s not all, you will also be getting much more power.

    You’ll get dual-core processors like or Intel Core i3 or AMD A4. Consumer PCs usually just offer Pentium dual-core CPUs and Celeron. You’ll also get at least 4 gigabytes of RAM, but you can get 8GB or even 16GB. More memory lets you run multimedia processes fast. More memory also lets you open up more software at the same time.

    If you use graphics intensive software, you’ll appreciate all this extra memory. With this memory power your work won’t slow to a crawl.

    3. Software: Leverage the same software the big players in your industry use.

    How can I business get some of the best software at a price it can afford? It can get top-of-the-line software through Software as a Service (SaaS).

    The research group Gartner defines it “as software that is owned, delivered and managed remotely by one or more providers. The provider delivers software based on one set of common code and data definitions that is consumed in a one-to-many model by all contracted customers at anytime on a pay-for-use basis or as a subscription based on use metrics.”

    SaaS is a unique distribution model for software. A vendor makes software available to customers on the Internet. Since it’s cloud-based software you won’t have to install it. The traditional method, called software as a product, suffers by comparison. It requires you to buy software, install it on your servers or PCs and troubleshoot and update it. Besides the high upfront cost, you may need to hire IT people.

    Renting software through SaaS offers 6 unique business advantages:

    1. The vendor handles administration. For example, taking care of updates or patch management.
    2. There are no compatibility conflicts with other programs in your computer network.
    3. It levels the playing field. Your small company can now run software that only big companies could access.
    4. The software is available from any PC from any location. You can work on a project in the office, at home or while travelling.
    5. It is easy for teams to collaborate on a project.
    6. The software is available anywhere in the world with Internet access. Even outsourcers hired for a special project can use it.

    Start With A Solid Foundation

    If you want to upgrade your business, try these three upgrades first. They will give your business a solid technical foundation. You can then invest in advanced management techniques to further enhance your business.

  • Why Your Annual Report Should Be Interactive – And How to Do It

    Why Your Annual Report Should Be Interactive – And How to Do It

    Annual report: Chances are the words themselves conjure up images of glossy pages filled with charts, graphs, and huge amounts of text that may or may not be relevant to your interests. If you’re like most people, you might skim the typical annual report, looking for the highlights and ignoring the rest.

    This has become even more prevalent now that the majority of companies — more than 90 percent — have shifted to online annual reports rather than printed copies. Most electronic reports are searchable, meaning that its easier than ever before to find just the information that you need or want. And while some companies still believe “electronic” annual report is synonymous with “PDF version of printed document,” most are taking advantage of the online medium and creating reports that are more interesting than the typical static report.

    Still, while many companies have adopted the use of infographics and cleaner design, and maybe even added some multimedia elements, very few annual reports can be considered truly interactive. However, to stand out, you need to include more interactivity.

    Why Interactive Matters

    Annual reports should be interactive for several important reasons:

    1. Better Calls to Action. Annual reports do more than simply report your company’s data and accomplishments. They can boost engagement, drive brand loyalty, and inspire people to take action. For example, in its 2013 annual report, crowd-funding leader Kickstarter shared the most important data points from the year along with videos about the most successful projects, highlighting the positive changes that company supporters made throughout the year. Instead of focusing on data and graphs and charts, the interactive elements increased engagement by focusing on emotion and inspiration, increasing enthusiasm and support for the company.
    2. 2. Additional Details. Annual reports are all about the details — the data points and stories that were the foundation of the company’s performance. In the past, those details were shared via text and tables, but adding too much data could drive readers away. Using interactive elements, such as links to additional information, pop-out descriptions, and infographics, can provide additional details without creating a cluttered and overwhelming design.
    3. 3. Better Mobile Engagement. Even just a few years ago, some experts were questioning whether there was really a need to design annual reports with mobile devices in mind, since so few people actually review reports on their smartphones. However, the number of people using their mobile devices to view reports has doubled every year since 2011, and shows no signs of slowing down. Again, including interactive elements helps cut down on the volume of information presented at once, making it easier for people on-the-go.

    How to Incorporate More Interactivity

    While some companies have actually gone as far as to design dedicated applications to make their annual reports more accessible and interactive (check out Windward for more information on reporting software that makes the integration of data and interactive reporting seamless), you don’t always need to go to such lengths. Even including just a few interactive elements can take your report from “Blah” to “Wow!”

    First, determine which elements of the report can be interactive. Charts and graphs are a good place to start; consider making it possible for users to isolate certain data, or click links or pop-outs to learn information that is more detailed. Videos or flash animation are ideal for sharing milestones. In fact, videos are a hot marketing tool these days, and incorporating videos into your annual report can actually help build and support your brand.

    Other places you might consider including interactive elements are infographics, where you share key data or milestones. Even just organizing your report so that information is arranged under clear headings, so that the specific information is revealed only when it is clicked, can help maintain a clean design while still giving readers all of the information that they need and want.

    The important thing to remember about interactive annual reports is that regardless of the bells and whistles you choose to incorporate, you cannot forget that the data and information are the most important elements. When planning your report, consider what you must include, and what is the most compelling information for your audience. Don’t try to include everything, or overwhelm your readers with every cool trick you can think of. As some of the best annual reports of the last few years show, a simple, creative design that looks beyond the numbers will spur better results than even the flashiest report.

  • Best Technology For Better Healthcare Provision

    Best Technology For Better Healthcare Provision

    Technology not being used to its best is useless. A lot of technological development is taking place currently. People from all over the world are benefiting greatly from technology in business, healthcare, media and so much more. The technology in healthcare and medical practice is probably the most beneficial in the world today. It is possible to receive top notch quality medical attention better that you would have a few years ago. This is all thanks to the data that is available in hospitals.

    More and more businesses are waking up to the revelation that data is an important asset. It can searv in making informed decisions that are extremely crucial in any business process. A major problem that many medical practitioners have had and continue to have in some places is management of data. The data have to be stored, protected, integrated and retrieved easily. This is easier said than done. You should be able to use data meaningfully. This is where meaningful use comes into discussion.

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  • Where Will Healthcare Technology Be In 5 Years?

    Where Will Healthcare Technology Be In 5 Years?

    Healthcare technology is always evolving. There is a seemingly never-ceasing quest to provide higher standards of patient care.

    There are two primary reasons for this thirst for excellence, and both have to do with survival. The first reason is that the right technology can save patients’ lives and reverse or mitigate serious illness. The second reason is the intense competition in the industry for hospitals and medical suppliers.

    In five years time, the medical profession is expected to change beyond recognition. The current high standards will quickly become obsolete.

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  • Protecting Trade Secrets Through Intellectual Property Rights

    Protecting Trade Secrets Through Intellectual Property Rights

    Loss of data from documents can greatly hamper the competitive edge of research agencies and manufacturing organisations. For small and medium-sized businesses that are market leaders within their own segment, there is a specific necessity to cooperate with other companies; for example academic institutions or business associates, in order to maintain competitiveness and innovation. At the same time, there is also a need to safeguard their intellectual property rights. These include registered trademarks, brands, licenses, privileges, certificates, samples and exclusive rights. Within this scenario, it is also required of them to protect their trade secrets, for example, manufacturing or assembly procedures and compositions or formulae, which do not fall under legal protection rights in the manner that intellectual property does. Yet, classified trade secrets can play a substantial impact on the organisation’s competitive edge if they are misplaced or get into the wrong hands.

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  • Enhance Your Reading Experience with Audio Books

    Enhance Your Reading Experience with Audio Books

    If you are an avid reader, you might find the prospect of audio books a bit confusing. After all, there is no reason not to actually read the book, right? Actually, you would be incredibly surprised at just how much an audio book can enhance your reading experience. How often have you found that you simply do not have the time to sit down and read a physical book? There are plenty of times that this might happen, for example, at work, in the car or even when you’re working out at the gym. There are so many instances in which you might want to advance your reading, tear through a series or even just find out what happens on page 143, but you don’t have the time to pick up that heavy novel and flip through the pages.

    Don’t worry, you’re not alone! The world has become far busier than it once was, and with that being the case, more and more people are searching for eBooks to help them meet their own personal quota. It is no surprise that now we have the Nook App on board; if you’re looking into audio books, free apps like this are your best bet. Barnes and Noble introduced the new app last year and it’s continuing to gain a considerable amount of traction in the reading community.

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