- Home
- Technology
3 Tips for Choosing an IT Help Desk Platform for Your Business
The IT department of a business provides a central point of contact for employees to get help with technology-related issues. In today’s business climate, it typically doesn’t matter what business you run – chances are you need some form of IT help desk to support your employees. For example, you might need the help desk to provide support for your company’s email system, or you might need it to manage and update your company’s website.
But there are many different options available when it comes to choosing such a platform, and it can be difficult to determine which one is right for your business.
Here are three tips to help you choose.
Consider Your Company’s Needs
The first step is considering your company’s specific needs. What type of support will your employees need? What type of issues are you hoping to resolve? Answering these questions will help you narrow down your options and choose a platform that is well-suited to your company’s needs.
To illustrate, while a company with a large sales team might need an IT help desk that specializes in providing support for customer relationship management (CRM) software a company with a large engineering department on the other hand might need an IT help desk that focuses on providing support for project management software.
Compare Features
Once you have a good idea of the type of platform you need, you can start comparing features. Different platforms offer different features, so it’s important to find one that has the features you need. For example, some IT help desks offer live chat support, while others do not.
The key is to prioritize important features and ignore bells and whistles. Examples of bells and whistles might include a flashy user interface or support for a wide range of software applications. While these features might be nice to have, they’re not essential and can end up driving up the cost of the platform without providing any real benefits.
Get a Free Trial
Most IT help desk platforms offer free trials, so be sure to take advantage of this. A free trial will give your employees the opportunity to test out the platform and see how it works in practice.
This is a great way to get a feel for the user interface and make sure that the platform really has all the features you need.
Keep in mind that a free trial might not give you access to all the features of the platform. However, it should still give you a good idea of whether or not the platform is a good fit for your company.
Choosing an IT help desk platform can be a challenge, but it’s important to take the time to find one that will actually help your business. By considering your company’s needs, comparing features, and taking advantage of free trials, you can find the perfect platform for your business.
3 Ways To Prepare Your Business For Incorporating New Technology Into Your Organization
As time passes, technology only becomes more and more advanced. And while not all of these advancements will have a big impact on your business, there will eventually come a time when the hardware or software you’re currently using will simply be out-of-date. When this happens, you’ll want to bring in new technology in the most helpful and logical way possible.
To help you see how this can be done, here are three ways to prepare your business for incorporating new technology into your organization.
Focus On How Things Will Improve
While your staff might be hesitant to take on learning a whole new system, if you really feel that including this new tech into your business will be an improvement, it’s vital that you focus on these improvements when speaking and training on this new technology.
It’s going to be almost impossible to find new technology that will improve each and every part of your business without having some bloat of its own. So while there might also be parts of the new tech that will make a few things more complicated or that won’t have as much of a benefit, if you feel that it’s worth it to bring on this tech for the benefits it does have, helping your staff to focus on these things can make it an easier sell.
Make A Plan For Implementation
As you’re getting ready to start using this new tech and introducing it to your staff or customers, you should think ahead to a firm plan for how you’ll begin implementation. Without this, you might find that those associated with your company flounder with this new tech or don’t even use it as you want them to.
Ideally, you should spend at least a few weeks training and transitioning to this new tech. Make sure those who will be most impacted by this new technology know what they are doing and feel confident in using the tech before everything gets migrated over to this new way of doing things.
Get Some Outside Help
Sometimes, you might not have a very firm grasp on the new technology that you’re wanting to implement into your organization. When this happens, it can be very helpful to bring in some outside help that can train and explain exactly how things will be changing and moving in a more effective and efficient direction. This way, both you and your employees can get correct information about how to do things and see actual improvements in your business operations.
If you’re going to be incorporating some new business technology into your company soon, consider using the tips mentioned above to help ensure that this process goes smoothly and successfully.
Choosing a Laptop for a Craft Business
If you love crafting, then setting up your own craft business can be an exciting time. Finally, you are going to be able to make some money from your hobby whether you want a side hustle alongside your regular job, or are hoping to turn it into a full-time business and source of income for yourself. No matter what kind of products you make and sell, one of the most important pieces of equipment that you will need to get when starting out is a laptop. You’re going to be using your laptop a lot for running your business and potentially even making the items that you sell, which is why it’s important to consider several factors.
Compatibility
First of all, it’s important to make sure that you choose a laptop that is compatible with any other equipment that you are going to use it with a lot. For example, if you make your items using a Cricut, then you will need to use a laptop to create designs to use with the machine, upload patterns, and more. Check out compatible laptops at Lenovo.com that you can use for both crafting and all the business side of things like marketing, setting up your website, customer service and more.
Portability
One of the best things about running your own business is that it’s easier to do it from anywhere. You can take your laptop on vacation with you or find somewhere else to work if you don’t want to be in your house for the day. This is definitely worth thinking about when it comes to buying the right laptop – ideally, you should go for something that is lightweight, easy to carry around, and has a good battery life so that you don’t need to worry about it running out of battery when you’re in the middle of working.
Durability
Laptops that are used for running a business will often take a much bigger bashing compared to a general consumer laptop. Unlike a laptop that you might use at home for things like writing emails, browsing, online shopping and watching movies, you’re going to be using your business laptop for more work and more often. Because of this, it might be worth investing in a laptop that is built for business use and can withstand daily use for several years.
Performance Specs
A laptop that goes really slow or crashes a lot when you are trying to run a business from it can be seriously frustrating, and the last thing that you want is a laptop that is standing in the way of you and business success. Carefully consider the performance specs including the central processing unit (CPU), random access memory (RAM), and the storage space offered by the laptop. While an average amount is usually fine for most small businesses, you should get higher if you can afford to do so.
If you’re starting your own craft business, then your laptop is going to be one of the most important pieces of kit you’ll need.
Four Technology Breakthroughs that has Positively Impacted the Gaming Industry
The gaming sector has been one of the most profitable in the last decade and that is due to the many advancements and upgrades. In particular, technology has made gaming more accessible to the global audience, the overall gaming experience has been improved by several technical breakthroughs within the gaming industry and in this article, we will explore the four technological break throughs that has made gaming widespread and more dominant.
Smartphone Technology
Improvements in mobile device capacity, functionality and overall performance have resulted in a dramatic increase in mobile gaming. Mobile gaming has also been made more accessible because to the proliferation of low-cost models made possible by the burgeoning mobile sector. Mobile games are far less expensive than video games you can play on next-generation consoles, therefore there are now a large variety of online games accessible on smartphones, and with certain games on the phones, users have the opportunity to make money from playing. You can find these reviews of multiple online gaming platforms if you have been seeking new platform to enhance your gaming experience.
Virtual Reality Technology
Using the Oculus Rift or other virtual reality gear, gamers can experience virtual reality to a new level. Users may view whole rooms as if they were standing in front of a screen while using virtual reality. Virtual reality floor mats may be used to remove the need for controllers altogether, enhancing the immersive aspect of the experience. Whether or when PlayStation’s VR headset changes its focus in the future will be interesting to observe.
Wearable Devices Technology
Wearable technologies have switched their emphasis from recording physiological processes to offering greater insight into a user’s health, but there is still the expectation that these devices will give a broad variety of functions in addition to merely tracking. An excellent example of this is the use of smartwatches for basic mobile games. Smart glasses with AR capabilities may also be used to play AR games.
Visuals & Graphics
The next-generation consoles will include 8K graphics, the highest visual quality ever attained, as technology develops. Components for the most advanced computers may be excessively expensive. Since next-generation consoles have just been on the market for a year, it will be 8-10 years before we see 16K graphics on them. Despite the fact that this level of quality was first seen in the computer industry, it’s not impossible. High-quality images, particularly outside of cutscenes, allow game creators to build games that seem more like real life.
5 Awesome iPhone Film Making Tips
It’s estimated there are now more than one billion active iPhones worldwide. This makes it clear that it’s a popular product and something that people want to own.
One of the top-selling factors of modern iPhones is the cameras and the ability to engage in iPhone film-making.
While the cameras are amazing, you may need some tips to use them to their full potential. Keep reading for some tips to help you improve your iPhone film making capabilities
1. Make Sure You Have Good Lighting
You know lighting is key if you have ever shot any video or film. Lighting can make or break any scene, no matter what type of camera you use.
For natural settings, shoot at the golden hour, just before the sun rises or sets. When making movies, the softer tones present this time of day are ideal for cinematic shots.
2. Keep the Camera Steady
This is another important tip. You need to keep your iPhone as steady as possible.
Your iPhone can take quality HD footage if it is still, but the image quality will start to degrade when the sensor moves.
A great way to ensure the camera remains steady is with a tripod. If you don’t have one, find a way to keep the camera steady by holding your breath during a shot or propping it on a solid surface.
3. Hold the Phone Horizontally
Unlike traditional cameras, iPhones are light, making them easy to hold. Due to this, you may be tempted to hold your phone the traditional way – up and down.
However, this can make things shaky and disrupt the natural flow of human vision.
Flip your phone horizontally and hold on to it with two hands to achieve the desired results. Horizontal shots usually display better on social media and YouTube too.
4. Sound Considerations
A good way to get quality sound with your iPhone is by having a microphone close to your mouth. You can find several quality microphones specifically for iPhones.
5. Use the Right Editing Tools
While your iPhone can capture great images and videos, it will still need some editing to be ready to use.
Make sure you have the right apps and tools in place, such as cut video iPhone. You can find more than a few editing tools, which means it should be easy to create quality videos.
Improving Your iPhone Film Making Abilities
When it comes to improving your iPhone film making abilities, a few tips can help you achieve the desired results. Be sure to use the information above to create films and videos that people will love to watch and that you will be proud of.
Are you searching for more information on topics like technology, entertainment, travel, and more? If so, check out some of the other blogs on our site. Our team works to post new content often to help you stay informed about iPhone movie making apps and more!
Modern Trends in Graphic Design – Ram V Chary
As multimedia becomes the standard, the importance of good graphic design is becoming even more important. The profession of graphic designers has evolved with advancements in technology and the introduction of new media types. Today, Graphic design plays an instrumental role in making any multimedia, be it print-based or web-based.
Graphic designer Ram V Chary has identified the following trends in graphic design that you should be aware of:
1. Interactive and Animated Graphics
Modern graphics are mostly in the form of animated visuals, for example – Flash. This is because multimedia content has become mainstream, and users find it easier to interact with interactive graphics. Moreover, this trend will continue as long as user interface (UI) designers prefer graphic-based navigation menus.
2. Minimalistic Design
Designers are focusing more on minimalistic design. This trend is similar to the one identified by Neville Brody, who believes that less is more. This graphic design style will become popular as a major part of any visual content containing multimedia can now be handled using hardware, which is much more powerful than earlier. An example of this would be the latest Apple products, iMac, iPad, and iPhone.
3. Hand-Drawn Graphic Design
Graphic designers are going back to basics by resorting to hand-drawn graphics rather than pixel-based graphics, which were in vogue a few years ago. Today’s artists have started using illustration tools on digital platforms for conceptualizing different ideas before converting them into graphic designs. This is because hand drawings are getting popular again due to the availability of ‘hand’ tools on digital platforms.
4. Simple Illustrations
The audience has always appreciated complex illustrations. Still, today’s trend identifies simple illustrations as something that grabs attention and can be used to create catchy visual messages. This is because complex illustrations require elaborate explanations, which may confuse the audience.
5. Hand-Drawn Typography
Designers have always admired Computer-generated typography, but with advancements in technology, more and more users prefer hand-drawn typography over computer-generated text. This is because most of today’s software can be used to create hand-written typography in a better manner.
6. Focal Point in Graphic Design
The focal point of every graphic design defines its importance and conveys the message, which is to be communicated through it. Therefore, all professional designers would agree that creating an impressive focal point for any visual content is key to the success of any design. Therefore, everything should have a clear focal point from the logo to a flyer, brochure, banner, or even the homepage of any website.
7. Gradient Design
Gradient effects are being widely used in graphic designs by designers around the world. These stylish graphics are used for creating beautiful patterns that resemble water ripples on the pond’s surface. In addition, gradient designs can create patterns in background designs, logos, and other forms of print media.
8. Grayscale Design
Graphic designers are going to extremes by using cool grayscale colors, giving the audience a soothing feel. In addition, they add visual effects to add glamour to their works. The unique thing about grayscale designs is their versatility – they can be used for creating backgrounds, logos, brochures, and even web design.
The Complete Guide That Makes Setting up a Brand New Laptop Simple
Depending on your luck and specific needs, you’re probably looking at a laptop replacement every three to five years. That’s generally a good thing. It lets you upgrade to a better processor, more RAM, and lock in some extra storage. If you were still rocking a traditional HDD, it’s also a chance to get a solid-state drive instead.
While the IT industry does its best to ship out ready-to-go computers, a brand new laptop can sit on a shelf for months or even a year before someone buys it. The means you have some setup to do.
Can’t recall everything you need to do to set up that new laptop? Keep reading for our guide that will help you hit the major steps.
OS Updates
The operating system is the nervous system of your laptop. If your new laptop sat on a shelf for even a few months, a lot of updates rolled out since the OS on the machine was initially installed. Many of those updates include patches for exposed security issues.
That makes updating the OS the very first order of business for you. This rule holds true for all types of laptops, whether they’re Windows machines, Chromebooks, or MacBooks.
On top of that, new features roll out periodically. You’ll need those updates if you want all the latest and greatest features.
Ditch the Bloatware
The companies writing your operating system are rarely the manufacturers who made your laptop. Unfortunately, those manufacturers routinely load on a bunch of software that your laptop doesn’t need to actually function. Sometimes, the software is manufacturer-specific software, but just as often it’s third-party software you don’t need or want.
All of that bloatware soaks up system resources which can damage laptop performance, especially on machines with limited RAM. That reduced performance leaves you with a less than stellar experience as a laptop user.
You can typically remove this kind of bloatware from your system settings on Windows machines. You can typically uninstall unwanted apps on Chromebooks by right-clicking on the app and selecting uninstall.
Deleting bloatware on MacBooks is a little more complicated. You’ll need to adjust the read-write permissions for applications. Once you enable read-write permissions, you can remove unwanted applications.
If you’re looking for other ways to improve Mac performance, head over here for some Mac hacks.
Anti-Virus Software
When it comes to viruses and other kinds of malware, Windows remain the big target because it runs on so many systems. That means you’ll want a dedicated anti-virus suite of some kind for your system. There are several excellent options out there, such as:
- McAfee Total Protection
- Norton 360
- Kaspersky Anti-Virus
Most major anti-virus software companies also provide Mac versions of their software you can get for your MacBook. While most people don’t worry too much about their Chromebooks picking up viruses, there are some choices there as well. Some of the major options include:
- Bitdefender Mobile Security
- Norton Mobile Security
- Malwarebytes
You should install your antivirus software after you do your OS updates, but before you load anything else onto your laptop. It helps ensure a quality laptop experience over time.
Power Settings
You can never know for sure how the manufacturer will adjust the power settings on your laptop. While some might default to an energy saver mode, others may set it for maximum performance. Maximum performance sounds great, but it’s also the mode that will drain your battery the fastest.
Windows laptops and MacBooks offer your power options that will maximize performance on one end and focus on energy preservation on the other end. If you know you’ll need your laptop to work for most of a working day without plugging it back in, opt for power saver modes.
Install Any Standalone Apps
Many software producers now offer web-based versions of their software or, in some cases, only offer web-based versions of their software. In some cases, you may need standalone apps or application suites locally installed on your computer.
For example, a writer might want a locally installed office suite on their laptop so they can keep working even if their Internet access goes down. A graphic artist might want locally installed graphic design applications for the same reason.
Installing them when setting up your laptop often proves more efficient than installing them piecemeal as you discover you need them.
You should also take this opportunity to pick and install your primary web browser. While some people stick with the browser installed with the operating system, not everyone likes the native browsers.
Configure the Display
The right time for you to configure your display is before you start using the laptop all the time. Things that seem mildly annoying right out of the box can become major frustrations over time.
Transfer Your Files
Transferring files between laptops comes in a few flavors. If possible, use a dedicated migration assistant or tool. MacBooks and Windows laptops will typically facilitate these kinds of transfers, often wirelessly.
You can back up all of your key files from the old machine to a cloud storage service. Once you finish setting up the new machine, you can download the files from the same service.
If those options don’t strike your fancy, it’s back to the old-school method. You must transfer the files on your laptop to a removable drive, such as a USB stick or external hard drive. Then, you plug the drive into the new laptop and copy over the files.
Setting Up Your Brand New Laptop
Setting up your brand new laptop isn’t difficult, so much as it’s a time-consuming process. Waiting for operating system updates can take hours. Installing anti-virus software and apps and configuring them can also take a while.
Figuring out what software on your machine qualifies as bloatware can take some research. Configuring things like power and display settings can prove quick or take a while. File transfers are often a lengthy wait, depending on the size and number of files.
Looking for more tech tips? Check out our Technology section or Tips & Tricks section.
Robust API Authentication: How Does It Work?
Application Program Interfaces, or APIs, are a crucial component of the data-based infrastructure that we all rely on in daily life these days. API frameworks are a key to creating ease of access for website and program developers, and they allow for a seamless user experience when perusing aggregated data online or on a company system.
APIs are essential for modern URL and business function.
One great example of the usefulness of APIs is in the travel sites that many people have been jealously scrolling through while waiting for the coronavirus pandemic to subside and allow for prime vacation time once again. Travel sites bring in real-time data from a variety of unique sources: airline websites, hotel booking services, car rental companies, cruise lines, and much more. The integration of API infrastructure here is essential in making this process work. Rather than creating a continuously updated database of tens of thousands of flight details, hotel rooms, and cruise cabins, developers are able to implement a quick and easy API integration that calls up the latest prices on whatever the user’s search parameters had homed in on.
APIs provide a key vulnerability.
While the API function provides a far superior user experience on the internet and within service requests that originate within corporate infrastructure, they also allow for a key vulnerability that must be handled with care. Robust API authentication is a mindset and framework for approaching API endpoint management that all business professionals must ensure compliance with in order to secure their team and company’s data, infrastructure, and future. The truth is that malicious actors exist in droves all around the world. The shadowy nature of hacking often materializes in the form of a black hat pen tester simply exploring what they can of a vulnerable corporate infrastructure simply for the thrill of the chase. However, there are others out there who are looking to penetrate firewalls and database systems with the intention of stealing sensitive data or financial information that can be used or sold off for a profit.
With a robust authentication approach, maintaining high quality data security surrounding this vulnerability can become habit rather than hope. APIs are natural weak points in the overall data-based infrastructure of a company. These are programs that interact with systems that exist outside of your “internal” digital space. As such, the endpoint—or server—that these programs rely on is typically more vulnerable to attack than any other node in a corporate system as a result of ownership elsewhere. Utilizing authentication tokens and encryption practices provides the best results for businesses looking to prioritize security headed into the future.
In addition to these data-centric approaches, it’s important to understand that system penetration isn’t solely relegated to the networked realm. Social engineering attacks are on the rise, and users themselves must be cautious regarding access and login credentials. Employing the principle of least privilege is a great way to stem any vulnerabilities that exist within the natural makeup of your team. This is simply the use of access granting in strategic ways. Rather than allowing comprehensive access to everyone in the office, building a hierarchy of need allows your security team to block off access to data and API infrastructure that individual members don’t need or won’t use in their daily role. Segmenting access means that a data breach enjoys marginalized potential to inflict harm.
API authentication and the security procedures that go along with this approach to integrated digital solutions are essential in the growing digitally dominated world that we share. Make sure that your team is prepared for the security threats that come along with this helpful application infrastructure.
Benefits of Virtual Healthcare Providers Today
The use of virtual services is not new and has been around for quite some time. However, it was not until recent years that most people could use them. The advent of high-speed Internet, in particular, has helped to make this type of service as accessible as possible. One of the primary reasons for this is that there are so many more options online for every kind of service you need. For example, many doctors will now allow you to set up a virtual office that can be accessed around the clock from anywhere. In other words, no matter where you are in the world, you can see a doctor whenever you want.
Convenient
One of the most significant advantages is that you never have to leave the comfort of your home or office to gain access to a health care provider. This can reduce the instances where you would have otherwise had to drive for a check-up.
Or even pick up your prescription medication at the local pharmacy. This makes your life more accessible and can save you a few trips to the doctor. Patients can still receive routine care such as physical exams, prescribe medication, and order other procedures at any time of the day or night. This use of technology has proven to be excellent for the elderly. As well as those with disabilities. These patients usually strain from constant physical visits to their medical service providers.
Increased Availability
Another great advantage of these doctors is that they are available round the clock. Whether one is in New York, Boston, London, or Tokyo, doctors can be reached any time of the day on virtual calls such as zoom. This increase in video calls has had a rise in the Eric Yuan net worth. This reduces the stress on the one concerned.
This is important for anyone concerned about their long-term health. When you have access to virtual doctors that are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you ensure that you never have any gaps in your coverage. These are a couple of the many benefits of virtual doctors, and, as you can tell by now, there are many more to be had as well.
Flexibility
According to US News, telemedicine is here to stay. One of the most attractive features of virtual medical practitioners is that they offer flexible schedules. As opposed to a traditional doctor who might work at a time that is convenient for him, a virtual doctor can work whenever he gets a free moment.
You don’t have to restrict yourself to a fixed timetable when meeting with your patients. A virtual medical practitioner can efficiently handle your case without even having to leave your home or office.
Availability of More Options
The internet also has provided us with a host of virtual options. For instance, if one wants to go for cardiac care, he can search for a cardiac nurse online. This will provide him with a list of nurses with whom one can interact online and get the necessary guidance.
One can even search for doctors who specialize in various medical treatments. Thus, with an efficient online search, one can access a host of doctors at one’s fingertips.
Medical Practitioners Can Access More Patients
These services are very reasonable, and there is no restriction on the number of patients a patient can see at the same time. The charges are very affordable and do not require any prior registration or written consent.
One can even save money by searching online. The costs are based on the service that is being provided. Thus, one can compare the available service options and select the best option available at reasonable charges.
Some doctors go the extra mile to make the experience as seamless as possible for their patients. They use the internet and virtual assistants to conduct video consultations with their patients in real-time. Thus saving on time and energy. A large number of medical websites also offer forums for patients to share their experiences with other patients. These are a few of the reasons that many people prefer to use the services of medical websites rather than a traditional physician’s office.
A Beginners Guide to Board-to-Board Connectors
There are many different industries and products that use board-to-board connectors. This is because they have an incredibly strong transmission capacity among all of the other connector product types. Even though they are used frequently, chances are, the general consumer is not even aware of them. This begs the question, what actually is a board-to-board connector? This article will discuss exactly that, as well as its classification, characteristics, and their advantages.
What is a Board-to-Board Connector?
Board-to-board connectors are a miniature coupling plug and socket. They have the ability to connect power and signals using the pins of the connector through different circuit boards. Copper alloy materials are generally used in the production of such connectors, which is beneficial as it stops them from oxidizing.
The Classification and Characteristics of Board-to-Board Connectors
There are many different classifications and characteristics that board-to-board connectors have. The different types of connectors include:
- Pin header and pin/pin
These are the cheapest form of connector and are incredibly convenient to use, plus the connection they tend to create is very stable and is hard to accidentally disrupt. That being said, these are also very large connectors and are hard to bend, meaning they are not ideal for a lot of different products.
- High-end Board-to-board rows
These are much denser than the aforementioned pin header connectors and are often used in conventional smart hardware products. These can be beneficial as the number of pins they have is large; however, their volume is small.
- Thickened Board-to-Board Connectors
Often used in the production of test boards and development boards, thickened connectors are beneficial given they are cheap and very easy to both connect and measure. That being said, similar to pin headers, they are very large and also difficult to fix.
The Advantages of Board-to-Board Connectors
Board-to-board connectors would not be used as frequently as they are if they did not come with a wide range of advantages. These include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Simpler Design
The circuit board design process can be incredibly tricky, and thanks to the use of board-to-board connectors, this can actually be made much more simple.
- Simpler Production
Of course, they make the design process much more straight-forward and streamlined, they are also responsible for simplifying the production and testing of electronic equipment. This can be economically beneficial to lots of organizations, such as those who operate in electronics manufacturing, as simplified testing reflects huge cost savings.
- The Third Dimension
Thanks to the use of board-to-board connectors, it is possible to use through-hole technology to allow the third dimension to connect traces and components on the PCB.
Conclusion
Board-to-board connectors are an incredibly effective means of simplifying the design and production of separate circuit boards. They can come in different connectors, including pin header, high-end, and thickened. All of these different boards have their own advantages and disadvantages and so are used by a variety of organizations.
