Category: Technology

  • 6 Tips For Designing the Perfect Home Office Space

    6 Tips For Designing the Perfect Home Office Space

    Creating a home office is a great idea. There are a few reasons why you’d want to do this. The current pandemic means that many workers have been forced to work from home, whether they want to or not. For others, working from home was always an option. And some of you may just want a space at home to attend to paperwork and life administration tasks.

    Whatever your reasons for creating a home office, today we’re going to go through six tips for designing the perfect home office space.

    Get a good printer and scanner

    This is an essential part of any home office. HP home office printers offer superior printing and scanning to help you keep on top of all that red tape. A printer/scanner is useful for any forms that you may need to fill and return for your work or in your personal life. A bonus is that if you are buying a printer/scanner for work, it is completely tax-deductible too.

    Upgrade your computer

    You might be fortunate enough to have your workplace provide you with a computer, but if you aren’t or if you are setting up this space for your own time then you will need a good computer. If yours is old and slow, now is a perfect time to upgrade to a newer model that will get the job done.

    Create an ergonomic set-up

    When it comes to your desk, chair, monitor and keyboard you want to replicate the sort of ergonomic set up that you would use in the office. This means paying careful attention to the position of all of these things in relation to each other. This is important if you want to avoid feeling tight and tense after a day at your home office. Check out this super useful resource on how to create an ergonomic workspace.

    Decoration is important

    Who wants a bland, boring home office space? You’re probably more free in your choice of decorations than you are at your actual office. So get creative! Mount some choice artworks or photographs according to your personal preference. Decorate your desk with odds and ends. Put up some of your kids’ drawings and family photos. Invest in a few house plants as well – the benefits of these to air quality and general wellbeing are proven by science.

    Storage matters

    You’re going to need somewhere to store your paperwork, files and other assorted things that come with a home office. As part of setting up the perfect space, invest in some cabinets and storage cubes to help you sort everything. Office organisation is a worthy endeavour.

    Fresh air and light

    Nobody wants to work in a dark, musty and enclosed space. Make sure that your home office location has plenty of natural light and windows that can open to let in some fresh air from time to time. If you are hard-pressed to find a spot that has brilliant natural light then you should invest in a desk lamp to ensure that you have enough light to work with.

    A Studious summary

    A good printer and scanner are a must-have for any home office space, as is a newer computer. Ergonomics are ultra-important to avoid any injury or soreness at the end of the day. Make sure to decorate your space according to your tastes, and invest in some storage solutions for paperwork and files. Finally, try to pick a location that has plenty of fresh air and natural light available. In a pinch, a desk lamp will work well to provide added light should you require it.

  • How Can Business Software Benefit Print Shops?

    How Can Business Software Benefit Print Shops?

    Technological advancements and new software developments have completely altered the way that we do business. Many different kinds of industries are changing, even ones you might not even expect.

    You might not think that new software and technology have that big of an effect on industries such as the print industry, but it actually can play a key role.

    So if you’re in the print industry and are trying to improve your print shop, how exactly can new business software help?

    What do you gain from integrating business software into your business model?

    Here’s how business software can benefit print shops.

    Efficiency

    The most obvious benefit you can gain from print shop software is the improved efficiency your business will experience. Business software can automate many parts of your business, something that can greatly speed up the production process.

    Everyday tasks and processes can become automated, speeding them up and freeing your employees to do other tasks. Business software can be a huge boost to production and efficiency, allowing you to get a lot more done with your business.

    In a world where production and the ability to meet orders is key, improving efficiency can be a massive help in growing your business.

    Feedback

    An underrated aspect that business software can bring to your print company is the feedback and analysis of your business processes. With business software, you can see exactly what is going on with your prints, allowing you to track print usage.

    At first you might not think this is a big deal, but with a little analysis you can identify extremely wasteful areas. With business software monitoring what you’re printing, employees will be much more careful about what they’re printing and how they’re using your materials.

    In addition, you may be able to identify other wasteful areas, further helping you run your business.

    Maintenance

    Another great thing that business software can do to help your print shop is aid with maintenance. When you own a print shop, there are many things that you need to maintain.

    With business software, maintaining various aspects of your business becomes much easier. For example, business software can tell you when your printers need updates or a new round of supplies and materials.

    Maintaining and keeping track of everything involved in a print shop can be quite the hassle. Thankfully, business software can help streamline the process.

    Security

    An important part of your business is its security, as you don’t want any sensitive information leaking to the public. However, cyber threats are very real in today’s business climate, even if you’re just a small print shop.

    Hackers and other cybercriminals do lots of damage if they breach your security, damage that can cripple your business.

    Thankfully having business software can be a huge help. Certain business software can protect your sensitive information, whether it be your finances or your unique designs.

    There is plenty of sensitive information for you to protect as a business owner. Fortunately, business software can make your job much easier by improving security.

  • 3 Things You Need for the Best Virtual Tailgates

    3 Things You Need for the Best Virtual Tailgates

    Many upcoming major sports events will take place virtually, leaving ardent football fans to tailgate closer to home. You may count yourself among millions of football followers who will leave your truck or RV parked in the backyard this year. However, you can still celebrate your favorite team.

    If you are planning on celebrating the gridiron on your terms while staying safe and keeping others safe, you may need some ideas. Here are three things you need for the best virtual tailgates.

    1. Invest in a big screen television

    A big screen television is a critical piece of equipment for a virtual tailgate. You may want to consider upgrading your modest living room TV and invest in something to soothe your woes during quarantine.

    For example, the Samsung Q900 TV comes with a big price tag at more than $5,000, but depending on your resources and how you plan to use your TV, you may feel it is worth the investment with its 8K graphics, Quantum processor and ultra viewing angle. Other high-quality televisions include the LG C8 TV, Vizio E Series TV and Sony X850G TV.

    2. Count on your communications company to guide you to your games

    The whole point in tailgating is to watch NFL games live at home with friends and family. You need to know how to find the game you want to watch without missing a minute. Sign on with a communication company that goes several steps beyond making all the right connections.

    Find one that helps you catch live local and primetime sporting events in real-time without confusion and frustration. Some providers offer users advanced voice search capabilities. For instance, say the name of the game, team or sport you are seeking to view results, then turn to your game.

    3. Rent or buy a high-quality canopy in the right size

    You probably rent or buy a canopy for fall tailgating events each year to contend with inclement weather. Everyone expects cold and chill, but everyone would like to avoid adding rainfall and wet clothes to the mix.

    However, when hosting a virtual tailgate at your home amid social distancing concerns, you need to consider a few extra things.

    A certain number of people may fit into your home in the event of a downpour, but you may go over capacity quickly. If you rent a big canopy to cover as much of your yard as possible, it is easier to keep everyone covered and dry. Beyond keeping everyone comfortable, you want to protect your big screen TV and any other electronics you plan to keep outside during the event.

    Make the most of your virtual tailgates with essential gear and resources

    Complying with COVID-19 recommendations and mandates does not mean giving up celebrating your favorite sport or team. Your virtual tailgates will rival those usually held at football stadiums, and you can invest in your own gear and save some money in the long-run.

    With your dream big screen TV, helpful channel guidance from your communication company and a high-quality canopy to protect it all, you may carry on virtual tailgates long after the lockdowns end.

  • How to Boost Success in Remote Teams

    How to Boost Success in Remote Teams

    Working within a remote workgroup means that you will have to manage your workload while also working collaboratively. Most meetings will be done with your team virtually, but you can still see and talk to one another, even from behind your home computer.

    Technology is changing to make it more convenient to work remotely than commuting to a central office. As such, all sorts of businesses are testing out remote workgroups and seeing if it can lead to more productivity. Results have shown that this business model has led to great results, provided that a few principles are followed.

    To boost success within your remote teams, look at your workers individually, as a group, and keep the lines of communication open.

    Keep regular communications

    Unlike working at a physical office, remote workers depend on different forms of digital communication to stay on target. From the standard email message to text messaging, web chat, and even bulletin board based workgroups, your team can send and receive messages instantly.

    Calendars, collaborative work platforms, and other tools can also help your team to keep up with all forms of communication. Exporting Outlook gives you more functionality, which is an important factor that can save your team time. There will likely be multiple email strings going, so try to come up with plans to keep your communication methods well organized.

    Celebrate individual successes

    When you work in a digital team setting, it can be hard for your individual successes to stand out. As much as it is great for companies and their employees to have the ability to connect virtually, the recognition of personal successes is still important for job satisfaction and healthy workplace environments.

    After all, why else would businesses be so invested in awarding the employee of the month, and so on? Whenever one individual worker particularly shines, management, as well as fellow team members, should give them a pat on the back. Making sure that you recognize individual contributions will absolutely aide in boosting overall success.

    Encourage collaboration and cooperation

    Regardless of whether all your team members are specialized or working on the same tasks, they should be encouraged to work together as a team. During the workday, there will likely not be a whole lot of conversation.

    In fact, working remotely almost totally ensures that chit chat and off-topic conversations will not be happening regularly. You want team members to get to know one another, to build comradery, and know that they can each get assistance from their co-workers. Team people up on projects and encourage them to communicate.

    Switch up regular workgroups

    After your team has become accustomed to working from home, you should start putting together different people in new teams. Working remotely can get a little monotonous, with workers totally forgetting who they work with. Switch up the regular workgroups and foster an environment where everyone knows how to get along.

    There should be group emails sent out to the entire work staff, letting them know about future projects and collaborations. Team members will always have something to look forward to, with new and exciting workgroups being forced and bonds being strengthened as time goes on.

    Working from home has gone from being a perk reserved for a handful of employees at best, to the standard for a lot of companies. With a home office setup, people can work together from thousands of miles a day, regardless of time zones, skill level, or even language barriers.

    Boost success within your remote teams of employees by keeping up morale and making them feel like they are working right next to you when they log in each day.

  • 4 Main Advantages of Virtual Data Rooms

    4 Main Advantages of Virtual Data Rooms

    Virtual data rooms are becoming more and more popular among businesses as they provide secure storage spaces and make data sharing safer. It doesn’t matter whether you are a small business or a big enterprise; if you are still using local servers to store your data, it is time for you to move to virtual data rooms. VDR, also known as electronic data rooms, provides you with cloud storage where you can save all the sensitive information about your business, and you will never have to worry about bleachers.

    So, it is highly advised that you get in touch with an Electronic Data Room Provider and get a virtual data room for your business right away. If you are still skeptical about VDRs, below, I have mentioned a few advantages of using them that will convince you otherwise.

    1. Protects your data

    As mentioned earlier, the biggest advantage of using a VDR is that it protects your data from hackers. In this modern age of technology, data is everything. If your company data falls into the wrong hands to get to your competitors, then your business can take a serious hit.

    Having a virtual data room makes sure that none of that happens. Your data is always secure in cloud storage, and only the people with permission are allowed to access it.

    2. Speeds up processes

    Another major benefit that virtual data rooms provide is that it allows you to speed up your day to day tasks. You and your employees can access and handle all the data from one dashboard when it is on VDR, which makes it easier for you to upload and share data.

    All the parties, including the clients, can access the data whenever they need and can share their feedback without any delays. Your data will always be organized in a VDR, and that makes it much more accessible.

    3. Access levels

    Virtual data rooms allow you to create access levels, which is something you cannot do easily when you are sharing data on local servers. All the information you upload on your VDR can be categorized and labeled.

    You can put extra security on certain files making sure that not everyone on the VDR can access it. Depending on the designation of the employee, you can provide them limited access to the VDR. If it is sensitive information that does not concern a certain number of employees, then it is always better to not give them access to it in the first place. You don’t want them to stumble it on accidentally and leak it unintentionally.

    4. Customer support

    With local servers, you will have to hire an IT expert, and whenever you face a technical problem, your server can go down for hours. A good electronic data room company offers you 24×7 customer support.

    This means that even if you come across technical problems, it will be resolved immediately. That way, you will never have to worry about the deadlines, and all of the projects will be finished in time. You also won’t need to hire an extra IT expert for the sole purpose of handling servers.

  • 4 Things to Look at Before Choosing a 3D Printer

    4 Things to Look at Before Choosing a 3D Printer

    3D printers have become very popular in recent years. They are very handy gadgets that can replicate many amazing things for us. Regardless of your needs, a quality 3D printer can make it happen for you. Many medical institutions use them for making medical materials, education institutions use them for prototyping, researching and model making.

    There are plenty of features that you should look into before buying a 3D printer, but cost, resolution, options, and speed of performance are a few main ones. If you want to know more about other tech gadgets besides 3D printers, you should check https://www.soluno.com/services/cloud-pbx/ip-telephony/ for some quality office solutions.

    1. The cost of the the 3D printer

    The cost of the 3D printer is, of course, the most important factor to consider. Their prices differ from one manufacturer to another. Many offer different packages, including replacement materials and maintenance.

    You might want to check that out as those costs can pile up and be very expensive. To save money, it is recommended you opt-in for a machine that comes with affordable replacement materials and accessories.

    2. The printer speed

    3D printer speed is another thing that should be looked at before making a decision. You need a fast printer that can deliver the job properly and efficiently. Always go for a speedy 3D printer even if it costs a little bit more. Doing things quickly can boost your efficiency and you will be able to finish many things in a shorter time.

    3. The print resolution

    Resolution is the main factor to consider for printers. Before choosing the printer with the best resolution, consider what you want to print with the printer. Based on that, you can make an easier choice. If you want models with a high level of detail, precision, and a good finish, go for a printer that can deliver models in such perfect resolution.

    For example, DLP printers can be a good choice for that. They are also one of the more popular choices. FDM and SLA printers are usually not that good choices if you want to print precisely detailed models.

    4. The size of the 3D printer

    The size of the 3D printer is the final main factor to consider before buying the machine. Carefully think about this because many things depend on the size of the printer. Each 3D printer has its technical specifications, so examine those.

    Bigger printers cost more, but the best advice is to go for a high-quality printer regardless of the cost. That will ensure the best results and that type of printer will serve you well for a long time.

    In addition to these, there are a few other important factors that you should examine before you make your investment. Compare different types of 3D printers, see their specifications and characteristics, and then go for the best option for you.

    A good idea would be to get in touch with professionals and ask them to clarify specific things and doubts you might have. After that, make an informed decision and enjoy the benefits of your new 3D printer.

  • 3 Tips for Writing your Book with a Software

    3 Tips for Writing your Book with a Software

    Ask any successful author and editor, and they will tell you that writing a good book isn’t easy. In most cases, they require all the assistance they can get, and many of them decide to use writing software to help make the process a lot easier.

    As a newbie writer looking to carve a name for yourself in the print world, you will have to go through a series of hurdles until you find your voice. Many people start with the dream of becoming a writer or poet, and many of them don’t end up realizing their dreams. If you intend to reach the pinnacle of your writing career, then you may want to consider getting expert help.

    For starters, it may be wise to look for mentorship so you can be able to find your voice, and learn all there is to know about writing and publishing a masterpiece. This website has some useful tips in finding the right mentor. You may also need to invest in quality software to help make your writing a lot easier.

    You should know that when writing a book, you want to avoid using rewriter tools on an existing piece and write yours from scratch. It doesn’t matter if you are working on a book series or the genre of writing you specialize in, there are specific tips you should be familiar with when writing your book with software.

    Tips for writing your book with a software

    You can find out three of the critical things to keep in mind when writing your book with a software below.

    1. Always go with the best tools

    If you want your writing to be well structured and free from errors, then you want to go with the best software available. Many of the free writing tools are great at checking minor mistakes such as punctuations and spellings, but they do not do much when it comes to structuring a book. For this reason, you will have to invest a few bucks to get the best tools to write with.

    You don’t need to spend much, and there are content writing apps like Grammarly that come with a monthly, tri-monthly, and yearly subscription. So you can find one that works with your budget and needs.

    Things like syntax errors, the correctness of statements, and clarity checks are of the added benefits that come with a premium writing tool. So when looking for software, you want to ensure to cover all the angles. Aside from Grammarly, there are a host of applications that come with a paid plan for book writing and editing. Depending on your budget, you can find one that fits into your project, which will be great for those with a small amount of money to write with.

    When settling for a tool to use, you want to ensure that it covers every aspect of the writing process. From spelling check, grammar check, use of English, and even plagiarism. You don’t want to end up with a book that contains much text from another famous book.

    As a writer, I find that even with a rewriter tool, it can be challenging to arrive at a version that is 100% unique. So to avoid any hitches down the road, you are better off with a premium writing tool.

    Writer

    2. Consider a book editor too

    Even after using a book writing software for my projects, I also engage the services of a professional editor to help proofread the final piece. While most content creating applications are designed to be fail-safe, you cannot compare them to a human editor with years of experience reviewing books for errors. You could easily find an editor to hire on a freelance site like preply.com that charges by the hour, but the hard part is finding the right professional to work with.

    You can start by checking through their previous portfolio to see what they are capable of. Another trick is to look through client reviews to see what others have to say about their past jobs. An excellent professional writer will have worked with a lot of clients and have some good five-star reviews to their name. Also, they should be able to provide you with useful suggestions that could be useful in writing the perfect masterpiece.

    When starting or writing your first book, you may not have a $1000 to invest in an editor. But you can find the ones that charge less and have enough experience to help you with your project. You will need to negotiate with them and work closely to ensure that everything is the way they ought to be.

    3. Do the hard work

    A lot of people resort to using apps for book writing because they want to avoid the stress that comes with writing a book. The truth is that even with the best software, you will still need to do the bulk of the writing, so you better be prepared for it.

    You also need to structure your writing time, come up with drafts, and, most importantly, learn how to fight writer’s block. You will be responsible for dealing with all these minor issues, and your software won’t help you in any way. The link below has some useful tips in dealing with distractions as a writer.

    You can brainstorm ideas with your close friends or team, and don’t be scared of criticism. You will need all the push you can get if you want to write something interesting. Organize your drafts, and keep all your manuscripts close by if you decide to work with a typewriter instead of a computer. Also, you want to do away with any distractions during your creative phase. There is a lot to learn while writing a book, and you should stay prepared at all times.

    Final Note

    There are many book writing software available to help you with your book project. You will have to check a few of them before finding the right one that works for you. Remember to enjoy the process and be open to learning all there is to learn during writing, editing, and publishing your book.

  • 4 Tips for Successful Power Platform Deployment

    4 Tips for Successful Power Platform Deployment

    Planning to incorporate Microsoft’s Power Platform into your business operations? If yes, this will be among the best decisions you’ll make this year. Why? With the help of power platform experts, it can transform your business significantly. This is because it combines the functionality of three of Microsoft’s products to enable enterprises to analyze data, automate workflow, and even create custom apps on a self-service basis. That said, here are tips for a successful Power Platform rollout.

    Why change management is essential when introducing the Power Platform

    As humans, we are habitual creatures. Once we get used to doing things a certain way, we tend to resist anything that may impact our status quo. That is why change, regardless of how small it may be, is usually stressful.

    In that light, it’s essential to note that while the Power Platform will help make the work of your employees easier and enhance productivity, it’ll also disrupt their regular routines. It’ll significantly change how they do things, and while some employees may see the good it brings, others may perceive it negatively. For instance, some will say the platform makes their work hard when, in a real sense, it’s supposed to have the opposite effect.

    Change management, while introducing the Power Platform is crucial as it helps every employee familiarize themselves with how it works, and brace themselves to accept the changes it brings instead of fighting them. In a nutshell, it makes them committed to the changes. This, in turn, helps you achieve the desired outcome you had in mind while rolling this technology from Microsoft.

    Tips for successful Power Platform rollout

    Now that you understand the essence of change management, here are some tips to help you ensure its deployment is a success.

    1. Get employee buy-in

    As the team leader planning on implementing the power platform, you already know the benefits it packs. But your employees or juniors do not, and as such, they have no valid reason to accept it. That said, the first step to rolling out the power platform is to make it attractive to them.

    Explain the benefits of deploying the platform and the consequences of not doing so as soon as possible. If possible, have power platform experts lay down the benefit. They’re more conversant with the technology, hence are likely to explain things more convincingly.

    2. Give your employees a sense of control

    People tend to fight change even when they know it’s good for them. What this means is that even after breaking down how the power platform will make their work easier, some employees may still find it hard to make the switch. This is in large part because they’ll have lost control over a particular area. For instance, employees who felt or were perceived as experts in analyzing data may resist the implementation of the power platform as they think it’ll take over their jobs, and they’ll no longer be in command!

    You can give such employees a sense of control by consulting them directly before you make the final decision about its implementation, explaining how it’ll impact their job, and even putting them in charge of the power platform deployment.

    3. Training

    The above steps are essential, but even with everyone on board, the success the Power Platform brings to your business lies in how well your staff can use it. Make sure you hold training events so everyone can learn its practical application in your entity’s workflow.

    4. Start small

    We understand that you want to make the most of your power platform but do not go all-in after its implementation. Roll it out to a small group of employees first to see how it impacts their work and then gradually roll it out to other groups in your company. For instance, you can start with your IT department and then slowly implement it in the entire company.

    The power platform is a powerful integrated tool. But you can only realize its potential if your employees embrace it. Therefore don’t just wake up one morning and decide to dump it on them. Ensure they’re in sync with the changes it might bring by following the tips above and having power platform experts from EPC Group guide them through the implementation process.