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  • The Right Broadband for You – Consideration of the Important Factors

    The Right Broadband for You – Consideration of the Important Factors

    Ever had an error 404 or Data Not Found Message on your screen? The broadband you choose makes the difference between easy access to data as well as reduced outages.

    And, these are just naming a couple of advantages to a good broadband connection. Surely you must know that a reliable broadband connection brings with it seamless streaming, huge storage capacities, greater security, and much more.

    But, how do you pick the right broadband connection?

    Well, we’ll be discussing a few factors to make you understand that the right broadband connection can lead to more profits for your business and more prospective clients.

    Factors to consider

    Naturally, the broadband connection you choose depends upon your needs. But, we’ll discuss the basic points to keep in mind so that you can make a sound and viable decision.

    Location

    There are two options available to you. You can either go for an in-house or off-site option. Now, if you’re a large business, with hundreds of employees, then an in-house data center makes sense.

    Footing the bill for an in-house data center is no joking matter, plus an IT team is required onsite too.

    Off-site locations are for middle or small-sized businesses as well as for households.

    Reliability

    This is a very relevant issue, as many businesses have known to lose customers over power outages, or even downtime.

    So, before you choose a broadband connection, make sure that the company has redundancy systems in place to prevent downtime. Also, try to find out how the company manages to take care of the heat build-up from the servers.

    Security

    Even small businesses need to keep their data safe from cyber-attacks. So, you need to find out about the safety protocols that are in place.

    This is also pertinent when it comes to physical security measures. It is important to know that the broadband provider you want keeps its servers safe from unauthorized access, destruction, or even data theft.

    Reputation

    There is a huge difference between the marketing of a product and the quality of the product itself. So, try and go for options that are recognized for its quality of service.

    The easiest way to do that is to find out from your current clientele if you are a business and from your friends and neighbors if you want the broadband connection for your home.

    Network services capacity

    Network security, speed, and network reliability tell us a lot about the infrastructure of the network. It’s viable to go with broadband connections who have fiber capacity for present and future needs.

    As colocation means greater ability to interconnect with other networks, it also makes for greater growth possibilities.

    Conclusion

    The best to go about choosing the right broadband for you is to identify the factors that will affect your business the most. The same rule applies to homes too.

    Nobody wants to be waiting on the computer forever only to be told it’s still buffering. Nope, that’s intolerable. Thus, choose wisely and it’s our sincere hope that this article will help you out a bit.

  • 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.

  • How Analytics Platforms Can Help Your Team Make Better Business Decisions

    How Analytics Platforms Can Help Your Team Make Better Business Decisions

    We’re living in the middle of the era of big data, but all the data in the world is no help if you can’t process it to gain actionable insights and useful predictions.

    If data is the new oil, then an analytics platform is the new processing plant that turns your data from a raw material into a valuable commodity.

    What is advanced analytics?

    Today, there are many different types of analytics. Descriptive and diagnostic analytics are familiar forms of analytics that have been around for decades. They involve understanding what has happened in the past and what triggered certain events.

    Predictive analytics are more advanced analytics that use data to forecast and predict what will come in the future.

    Prescriptive analytics go even further than predictive analytics, sifting through data to identify what should be done, and when, in order to achieve the desired result. A recent study concluded that by 2021, instead of just uncovering what should have been done, 66% of analytics processes will also prescribe what business actions to take in the future.

    Analytics platforms make advanced analytics possible

    With advanced analytics, businesses can stop reacting to events that take them by surprise and instead shift to making proactive decisions in a considered way, based on solid data. But these types of analytics are only possible when you can analyze enormous amounts of data; far more than any human analyst can handle.

    Analytics platforms use machine learning, deep learning, and other AI-based algorithms and models to sift through data, spotting trends and identifying patterns to make reliable predictions about shifting markets, customer behavior, and opportunities to increase productivity.

    The automated engine can handle massive amounts of data every second, making it much more effective at noticing patterns and making predictions.

    With analytics platforms, you can access insights on a granular level that allows you to personalize marketing efforts and customize product offerings for every customer.

    Provide a single version of truth

    In many companies, their mountain of data is disparate and divided across the company. The sales team might have sales data, while the marketing department sits on information about conversions and leads, and the product research team gathers details about customer pain points.

    Most businesses are already aware of the risks of data silos, when data is locked away in separate departments. But even more companies have data that is theoretically accessible to all, but their employees are already drowning in so much data that they lack the will to search for more.

    Enter the analytics platform. Analytics platforms unite data from every corner of the organization so that you can maximize its value.

    With an analytics platform, you can painlessly create a single version of truth that’s accessible to every department, so that each stakeholder is using the same fundamental information to drive its decision-making and basing its choices on the same central set of assumptions.

    Keep up with a dynamic business environment

    Today’s business environment changes more swiftly than ever before. The market is shifting rapidly; consumer trends seem to rise and fall in the blink of an eye; and risks loom on the horizon faster than humans can track them.

    When so much of the global business infrastructure is automated, the only way to keep up is to use automated analytics platforms.

    With an analytics platform, CEOs and other executives can make quick decisions based on data instead of their gut instincts. Analytics platforms can predict market changes, understand consumer behavior in order to better anticipate the next fad, and manage risk in meaningful ways that allow you to make calmer and better-informed decisions.

    Predictions are displayed as appealing visualizations that are easy to consume and easy to understand, so that business leaders can respond at the speed of light.

    Democratize access and improve productivity

    Analytics platforms allow each department and team leader to tap into advanced analytics, instead of waiting for data scientists to train, test, and finally deploy machine learning models.

    They place the power of data-driven predictions in the hands of every single employee, so that they can make the best business decisions independently.

    Our globalized markets mean that every company faces a lot more competition from a wider circle of competitors, making it more important than ever to improve productivity and increase efficiency. Analytics platforms help you to pinpoint the right goals and track the right metrics to spot inefficiencies and find ways to correct them.

    Analytics platforms are the key that unlocks your data

    Most businesses are sitting on a mountain of data that grows every day, but without the help of an analytics platform, they struggle to gain value from it. Data scientists and business analysts can’t keep up with the sheer volume of big data, or identify patterns quickly in a flood of information.

    Analytics platforms enable data scientists, analysts, and other employees to use advanced analytics to discover new trends quickly and keep up with the fast-changing markets and consumer interest.

    With the help of the right analytics platform, you can increase productivity, understand customers, ensure that all business decision-making is based on the same central set of information, and draw ahead of your competitors.

  • What are the Key Benefits of Applying Low-Code Technology?

    What are the Key Benefits of Applying Low-Code Technology?

    Low-Code technology makes the creation of flexible apps easier to do so you can complete your tasks quicker and with less effort.

    Using this technology in your day to day business will create the ability for you to do each specific task according to the guidelines and protocols you need to follow. You do not have to adapt your tasks to meet the coded systems that someone else has developed. You develop your own applications and the components that make them work for your business.

    Features of low code technology

    No experience required

    You do not have to be a computer programmer or have written code before. The low code technology allows anyone who wants to create an application for their business to be able to do so.

    The applications can be established for websites or as mobile apps for smartphones and mobile devices. The graphic user interface will walk you through the process in an easy to follow step by step manner.

    Saves you money

    If you are not using low code technology you are more than likely hiring developers to create apps for your company. If you are not hiring developers to create for you then you are hiring someone to alter an existing app so it will work for your business needs.

    Low code saves you all the money that you are currently spending on app developers.

    Increased productivity

    The app development system you are currently using usually takes weeks, or months, to develop an app. While you are waiting on an app your competition is reeling in the client leads. With low coding, the development of a new app is done in days, hours, and sometimes in a matter of minutes.

    You will spend less time waiting and doing things the old fashioned way and more time signing clients and making sales.

    Risk management

    As regulations change you have to change your Apps and the way you are doing things to be within the proper guidelines. This coding system will allow you to quickly implement any changes needed so you are always working within the regulations. You will be able to meet your deadlines and stay connected with your clients and their needs.

    Enhanced customer experiences

    The customer is the most important factor in your business. Without a customer, your apps and knowledge are simply high tech nothingness. This system allows you to increase the speed that you work and improve the customer relations that you have.

    1. You have the data about your customers at your fingertips.
    2. You are able to stay on top of all regulation changes and inform your client if anything needs to be done with their accounts.
    3. You can meet the needs of your customers quicker and more efficiently.
    4. You have more time to spend relating to customers because your work is done faster.

    Low coding gives you the precise tools you need to get your job done effortlessly. You get the opportunity to increase sales, improve customer relations, and spend less time working.

    These coding systems are making a huge improvement in how you work and what you have to work with.

  • How to Maintain the Sales Momentum with the Construction Project Management Software?

    How to Maintain the Sales Momentum with the Construction Project Management Software?

    The project failure rate in the construction industry is frightening; at least one project failed for 60% of construction companies. As per the recent industry reports, construction companies are facing hard times due to heavy competition and an unpredictable future. The fragmentation, inconsistent approach, and faulty risk management lead to these failures.

    The technology has made considerable strides in the industry, improving the delivery of projects. The construction project management software gives the ability to prospect, nurture, and maintain client relationships effectively with total visibility of the project progress. Here, we’ll see how these tools can help to keep the sales momentum for any construction project.

    Why do you need the construction management software in the first place?

    A construction company has to deal with several moving pieces. For example, if they have several construction projects in the pipeline, they need to manage multiple marketing campaigns, manage inbound and outbound leads, and follow-up sales activities.

    No matter how big your team is, it would be hard to pay equal attention to each project. If you do things manually, you are going to miss something and create problems for your company. The construction project management software is the answer to all these woes. It tracks your project bids, which reduces the stress on sales reps and prevents lost activities.

    Do you have access to information that identifies bottlenecks and resolves issues?

    Delays are one of the biggest causes of project failures. Site regulations, government approval, and permit delays can slow down projects.

    According to the latest reports, 70% of projects experience time overrun, which is quite a big figure. The construction project management tool can save this time and provide you real-time access to relevant information. It makes you more efficient and productive.

    Real-time information and efficient communication also keep all stakeholders updated about the progress of the project and leaves no room for miscommunication. With this tool, you can share pictures of the progress with your sales and marketing teams, which will excite customers and generate interests in prospective buyers.

    How are sales going?

    The first thing that matters while managing a project is- Do you have the buyers? Are things going the right way? For maintaining sales momentum, visibility is critical. The construction management software offers complete visibility into the entire sales cycle.

    With a construction CRM, you would know about customers that your sales representatives are working with and the stage at which your prospects are within the sales funnel. Also, it helps in making the sales forecast for the future.

    Developing such visualization and insight is essential to identify any roadblocks. The CRM construction tool provides an accurate visualization of the data captured/entered and helps keep the sales momentum.

    What does it help you achieve?

    Managing a sales team is a vital task to keep sales momentum. The construction project management software provides with the right tools to keep a tab on the sales representative activities and keep the sales team on the track of progress.

    The tool allows you to assign responsibilities to each sales representative and keep track of its progress. It helps to lead and manage things effectively, which builds trust and grows your construction business.

    These are a few ways in which the construction project management application helps in maintaining sales momentum in the construction projects.

  • What Can You Learn From Your Users?

    What Can You Learn From Your Users?

    After years of success of user testing, it has been established through the experience of almost all the tech giants that testing is never a waste of time. It is one of the most intimidating, critical, and valuable steps that can prove or disprove your assumptions about the product once in for all. The end-results of performing user testing on any product justifies the investment of both your time and money. It makes sure that your product doesn’t face failure when you launch it in the market.

    While user testing is a great way to know the viability of the product, it can also teach you a lot about the behavior of the user. It can help you to understand the requirements of your user better. Hence, you’ll be able to make user-friendly products easily. UX experts at Adobe describe the importance of user testing by how it can “identify and assess any problems in your product that are causing friction.”

    Here are some of the things that you can learn from your users through user testing:

    User never likes terminologies and jargons

    Your user is not tech-savvy, and you should not consider them one. The user hates technical/organizational terminologies. When they see a website or application that has a lot of jargon on its page, they leave the page instantly. They don’t want to go through the trouble of searching meanings of the words they don’t understand. So, make it as simple and easy for them.

    User never reads every line you write

    Unless your user is targeted or is very involved in the task, they don’t care about those long passages. They will go through the heading, and that is it. Therefore, it is suggested to take the help of the infographics because they have a better ability to grab the user’s attention and make them stay on your website.

    User usually doesn’t care about interface

    The user aspects your app or website to do the job. They couldn’t care less about the interface of your website or application. If it is doing the job it was meant to do; you’ll have a satisfied user. On the contrary, if your website looks great and has a fantastic interface, but the user is having difficulty to get the work done, it’ll annoy them, and they will never use your product again.

    User hates banner blindness and black holes on screen

    A user tends to ignore the rounded objects appearing on the screen. They ultimately perceive them as an advertisement and ignore it. So, be careful when you design the real content of your website. Try not to make it look like an advertisement if you want your user to read it. Also, be aware of areas of the screen users will often miss on the right. Users scan in an F-shaped pattern.

    User doesn’t like change

    The human brain trains itself to things in a certain way. When you make a change, the brain struggles to change its routine, and the user makes mistakes following the new pattern. It ultimately annoys the user. Therefore, it is not suggested to make changes in your product until you’ve genuinely revolutionized things and have made sure that the changes are user-friendly.