Category Archives: Tools

Parallels Toolbox: Our Favorite Tools

Imagine having a set of uncomplicated tools that makes it easier to use your computer. Parallels recently launched Parallels Toolbox to help users easily accomplish tasks such as taking screenshots and downloading YouTube or Facebook videos; you can even turn on “Do Not Disturb” during important presentations! Read how users of Parallels Toolbox have simplified […]

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Success in the tech world: different approaches

The tech industry is exciting, dynamic and competitive, and forging a good career in tech is the goal of almost all computing and engineering graduates. Success in the tech world is a real challenge, but with some good advice and planning, it is possible to make an impact.

There are various approaches that can be adopted to succeed in the tech world. However, what is most important is that IT professionals and engineers specialize early on to become experts in their chosen field.

Be flexible

The most important factor in the tech world is flexibility. Technology is constantly advancing, and everything that a student learns in their first year or two of college will probably be considered out of date by the time they graduate. An education, whether it is engineering or computer science, should always be considered a foundation to a career; it will rarely teach the specific skills that are needed in an individual’s first job.

Individuals who want to succeed need to be willing to change their tactics and strategies according to the ever-changing industry. For example, the latest development is the growing reliance on cloud-based business support systems.

Adopt the cloud approach

There is a growing trend in businesses moving their operations to the cloud. The cloud provides businesses with many advantages such as data storage and disaster recovery. More recently, cloud-based enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions have been developed that seamlessly connect each business area and gather data to produce real-time management reports.

ERP was developed to help manufacturing businesses make production more efficient by analyzing the passage of resources from supply of raw materials through to the end product. It was used to highlight bottlenecks in production and identify where human resources were working sub-optimally.

ERP systems help all businesses, including technology businesses, to optimize workflows and become more efficient and more competitive. Today, ERP manages purchasing, sales, client services, finance and accounts, human resources, marketing and production.

By developing a system that can analyze the entire process, it is possible for managers to better identify problems before they cause a financial loss and to spot changes in customer demand. When implemented well, this can make a company very competitive.

Specialize

This may appear to be in contrast to the advice to be flexible, but in the tech industry specialization is vital for anybody, or any business, that wants to do well. To be noticed in the crowd it is important to be able to offer something that is unique.

A good case study of how specializing helps a tech company develop trust and respect in the tech market can be seen in  Transducer Techniques. They construct load cells that are used in engineering to accurately measure weight and force. Precision engineering companies are able to out-compete much larger companies that are focusing on the mass consumer market.

To succeed in the tech world both individuals and businesses need to ensure that their skills are developed on a solid foundation and that they specialize in a niche area that is in high demand. Being flexible is important early on in the career path because new technologies can provide exciting opportunities; however, ultimately, specialism is the key to success.

How can technology help when working abroad?

Those who have chosen to spend time living and working abroad are actually very lucky these days. The rapid development of modern communications technologies means that it is so much easier to keep in touch with people, no matter where you are, than it used to be even ten years ago. When somebody moves abroad, the ability to keep in touch is essential for both the worker and those remaining at home.

How has technology changed?

Before the onset of smartphones, laptops and the Internet, the only real way of keeping in touch with family and friends while working abroad was the telephone and letters. This usually meant that contact was infrequent, and most people would go for weeks without hearing from loved ones.

The Internet has changed a great deal for those who are away from home. Email has made it so much easier to drop somebody a line and has become a popular way to communicate not only with family and friends but also with work colleagues – even those in the same building! This has been followed rapidly with additional technologies such as smartphones and Apps that mean workers do not have to be at their desk to keep in touch. Financial technologies developed by organizations such as  Trans-Fast Remittance LLC mean that money can be transferred from one country to another in seconds – important for those who work abroad and want to send money home.

Cloud computing

Cloud technologies are becoming increasingly popular for businesses and private use. Cloud services mean that the location of the worker is far less of a factor than it used to be. Technology such as Skype means that people can keep in touch easily. Skype video chats are great for keeping in touch with family but are also ideal for the workplace. Meetings can be held via Skype and similar Apps. It is free to download and ensures easy communication.

Google Apps and Google Docs are a type of cloud computing. A worker can create a document using this software and it is held on Google’s cloud service. Another worker can easily access it from their own office, even if they are thousands of miles away. FaceTime is another option for communication while abroad. A way of making video calls, it has become very popular with younger people for keeping in touch while they are traveling.

Google and Apple are just two developers that have embraced the concept of cloud computing and are applying it to their new products all the time, continuously developing each one further. The development of cloud services and new ways to keep in touch is only going to continue as competition grows in this sector. Those who work abroad will see it become even easier to communicate in the years to come.

Communications technologies such as cloud computing have developed very rapidly, and their continual evolvement means that consumers should expect to see the Apps that they already know very well develop even further as well as the introduction of new software.

BizTalk Hosting Sever Provides Interesting Business Solutions

Advancement of IT technology brings many development options for the developers. And thus allows a wide range of software development services for IT companies which proves to be a perfect platform for the development purpose which also provides great result for the developers. For this purpose, it is one of the ideal solutions for the developer, but before we discuss this, we’d like to give you a brief introduction on BizTalk.

What is BizTalk?

In simple terms, it is a highly effective development platform. It is a hosting server used to help to manage various techniques managing on different systems return smooth interaction. Its multi-platform plugs are personalized to link with techniques or programs in business. It is generally known for its program incorporation features as it’s very simple but very useful. It able to provides complete solution for developing programs and techniques as well as assisting linked techniques.

What is great about BizTalk?

One good thing about this sever, that it comes up with something new with every new versions. And that is what Microsoft done with their recent update of BizTalk 2013. With every new version it scales up and out and is designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding enterprises, but it work well equally well with both large and medium-sized organizations.

How any organization takes the advantages of BizTalk?

This software helps many companies to integrate and develop business processes, applications and services across the enterprise. It is possible to prepare workflow application applications to automate business processes across the enterprise, and to exchange information with line of different business systems.

BizTalk, with SQL and Visual Studio, provides any organization proper foundation of a powerful, flexible and easily accessible universal messaging center that allows data management and transfer from unequal systems and databases under well-defined rules. It also has several free adaptors that allow for direct data links with the most of the popular database. However, it is currently available with ERP, EDI and some finance systems.

What this software can do for your organization?

That is very important question, but expert developers frequently work with a variety of developing options by using transformation maps, Implementing Maps and any many other options for organization. Today big IT development companies run on varied different platforms that enable employees of one company to communicate with each another very easily. Thus with help of professional developers the performance of entire enterprise increased significantly.

This server delivered fascinating solutions to customers. Professional software developers clearly understand the value of interaction between various levels in the same organization. And that is why perhaps the demand for Biztalk development companies has increased significantly and with the latest version It allows more option for the developers, so chances are bright that it is becomes even more popular in nearest future.

Summary:

BizTalk is one of the newer software for the developer Biztalk is highly effective development platform. It is Microsoft developed hosting server used to help to manage various techniques managing on different systems return smooth interaction. Its multi-platform plugs are personalized to link with techniques or programs in business. To know more about BizTalk Development, please visit Tatvasoft

4 Reasons to Improve Your Infrastructure Management On-The-Cloud

Infrastructure-as-a-service or IaaS is slowly yet steadily improving as the longest solutions towards successful integration of services and its management. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management systems are perhaps the quickest systems to adapt to legacy systems particularly on the cloud. Companies have not left any stone unturned when it came to adopting to the cloud, particularly towards adopting legacy systems. Not only have companies upgraded their spending potential for adapting to the cloud but it has also seen the adoption of cloud-based platforms as the leading trend with towards profit maximization and corporate sustainability.

Are companies inclined to spend more in IaaS?

According to a recent Gartner study, public cloud services are likely improve over the years which indirectly means that the global spending in infrastructure management is likely to grow. The growth rate or the CAGR will sustain at 17.7% over the years till the year 2016. Here’s what they predict about the investments in IaaS or infrastructure-as-a-service.

cloud-spending

At a sustained CAGR of 41.3% till 2016, the investments in IaaS is likely to be the fastest growing segments in the world. As companies want to reach to a wider audience, there is no doubt that companies want to achieve a competitive advantage before their competitors. 

Geographically too, companies across the world are increasing their IT spending towards cloud computing to enhance their company’s performance.

cloud-spending-2

Essentially, companies in Northern America, and Western Europe are the most eager or have already captured the benefits of cloud computing with an integrated infrastructure management. 

So, what is the direct advantage of having a cloud computing for integrated infrastructure management? Let’s take a look at the 4 critical advantages of having an integrated infrastructure management on the cloud:

  1. The lower your TCO, the better: When it comes to facilitating lower total cost of operations or achieving the best of cost savings, one of the critical ways of achieving either of these objectives is by going on the cloud. Not only have companies reduced their costs towards IT management services but they have avoided costs involved in severe challenges for managing various IT environments, while adapting to the cloud.
  2. Ability to concentrate on core businesses: Freeing up your time for core businesses is another critical way to facilitate enhanced business strategies. By implementing infrastructure management on the cloud, your strategic IT resources can concentrate on core IT strategies that facilitate business growth.
  3. Respond better to business needs: Enhance your flexibility and further your responsiveness to indulge into what your customers and niche clients want. Enhance your IT infrastructure with the availability of reliable and easily available services on the cloud.
  4. Improve the standards of service levels: Increase the level of security, stability, and IT infrastructure availability. With greater synergy between existing and newer technologies for infrastructure management, there are chances that one can make the entire IT infrastructure more accountable.

In other words, by implementing the best of IT integrated infrastructure strategies, one is virtually capable of indulging in cost savings, heightened competitive advantage, and greater accountability.

To know more about infrastructure management please visit HCL Technologies

Achieving Business Transformation by Aligning i-SCM with a Robust IT Strategy

Can adapting to the new best practices actually help you gain the business benefits that you are looking for? With the implementation of tools such as the Intelligent Supply Chain Management (iSCM), there are possibilities of ensuring the realization of business goals that reduce the risk of time and costs, overrunning. So, when it comes to the iSCM approach, there are several ways in which companies can succeed with its implementation:

i-SCM

How does iSCM impact overall business benefits?

As a business owner, there may be several instances when meeting customer demands, overcoming uncertainties and reducing costs for manufacturing is virtually impossible. The inclusion of better practices such as the iSCM would help improve the overall situation such as improving real-time visibility of supply chain extensions and the manufacturing operations. Regardless, of the time and effort taken to implement these management system, one can see that it is possible to implement seamless synchrony between the demand and its actual fulfillment. All this will be immediately implementable with the help of real-time analytics and rapid decision-making.

Facilitating your own iSCM solutions can only be done with the help of external advisors such as technological consultants like HCL Tech amongst others offer the following solutions:

  • Offering an opportunity assessment within the iSCM solutions offerings

  • Touchstone, an HCL Tech trademark offers KPI measurement and better benchmarking solution

  • iVision, an HCL Tech trademark offers solutions towards supply chain visibility and collaboration

How can functionalities improve the solution?

Here’s a look at the way in which functionalities can improve the following:

  • Capturing customer demand with the ability to accurately forecast demands

  • Incorporating operations such as collaborative supply chain planning and execution

  • Ensuring supply chain operations are monitored in real-time and highlighting bottlenecks with the supply chain impact

  • Creating visibility on end-to-end supply chain data and its processes

  • Collaborating with the various stakeholders through various communication platforms such as e-mail, text, portal alerts and other forms

  • Improving visibility of partners involved across multi-tiers of supply chain and cloud platforms

What remains to be seen, is whether the implementation of the iSCM systems will improve the overall business performance in the form of successfully integrating with business goals with the expected outcome of the performance.

To know more about the article you can read the case study written by experts at HCL Technologies.

Implementing Better UI Experience in the Logistics Domain

How does an enhanced user interface (UI) impact user experience? When it comes to eliminating inconsistencies from a UI, there are only a few applications that can successfully do that. One of the critical aspects of any logistics application is to ensure that there is seamless front and back office synergy, and by simplifying the integration of various technological aspects of the logistics process, you can reduce on time and money for a unique strategy implementation.

Is improving the UI experience always so expensive?

There are ways in which one can built a responsive UI that is adaptable on several devices. One can also control the cost of UI development. Eliminating UI inconsistencies can enable better collaboration between internal and external applications. Several global logistics players have a similar requirement to improve the overall user experience. With the help of technological experts in the field of UI strategy implementation, one can jump-start the process cost effectively. Here’s how some players have improved their logistics UI experience with HCL’s Tech approach:

LogisticsUI2

 

  • Enhance usability by improving the overall UI experience

  • Optimize the use of common UI controls, standards, templates, tools, code generators, and other sample applications

  • Optimize the design and development of the overall process

  • Derive a quality code by adhering to best practices

  • Devise a strategy to optimize applications for various platforms such as the mobile, desktop, and other UI centric applications

  • Develop a framework for updating and governing the overall platform

By improving the UI (whether at the client side or internal), one can derive several business benefits. In other words, it’s possible to achieve a great overall experience with the help of technological consultants in the field.

To know more about the article you can read the case study written by experts at HCL Technologies.HCL Technologies.

 

 

Google Adds Docker Image Support to App Engine, Announces Kubernetes Container Manager

Google continues to up the cloud ante by adding a set of extensions that allow Google App Engine developers to build and deploy Docker images in Managed VMs. Developers can use these extensions to easily access the large and growing library of Docker images, and the Docker community can easily deploy containers into a completely managed environment with access to services such as Cloud Datastore.

From the Google Cloud Platform Blog:

“Based on our experience running Linux containers within Google, we know how important it is to be able to efficiently schedule containers at Internet scale. To that end, we’re announcing Kubernetes, a lean yet powerful open-source container manager that deploys containers into a fleet of machines, provides health management and replication capabilities, and makes it easy for containers to connect to one another and the outside world. We’ll continue to build out the feature set, while collaborating with the Docker community to incorporate the best ideas from Kubernetes into Docker.”

 

Full details here.

Google Adds Docker Image Support to App Engine, Announces Kubernetes Container Manager

Google continues to up the cloud ante by adding a set of extensions that allow Google App Engine developers to build and deploy Docker images in Managed VMs. Developers can use these extensions to easily access the large and growing library of Docker images, and the Docker community can easily deploy containers into a completely managed environment with access to services such as Cloud Datastore.

From the Google Cloud Platform Blog:

“Based on our experience running Linux containers within Google, we know how important it is to be able to efficiently schedule containers at Internet scale. To that end, we’re announcing Kubernetes, a lean yet powerful open-source container manager that deploys containers into a fleet of machines, provides health management and replication capabilities, and makes it easy for containers to connect to one another and the outside world. We’ll continue to build out the feature set, while collaborating with the Docker community to incorporate the best ideas from Kubernetes into Docker.”

 

Full details here.

Stanford Researchers Create Tool to Triple Cloud Server Efficiency

Two Stanford engineers have created a cluster management tool that can triple server efficiency while delivering reliable service at all times, allowing data center operators to serve more customers for each dollar they invest.

“This is a proof of concept for an approach that could change the way we manage server clusters,” said Jason Mars, a computer science professor at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Kushagra Vaid, general manager for cloud server engineering at Microsoft Corp., said that the largest data center operators have devised ways to manage their operations but that a great many smaller organizations haven’t.

“If you can double the amount of work you do with the same server footprint, it would give you the agility to grow your business fast,” said Vaid, who oversees a global operation with more than a million servers catering to more than a billion users.

How Quasar works takes some explaining, but one key ingredient is a sophisticated algorithm that is modeled on the way companies such as Netflix and Amazon recommend movies, books and other products to their customers. Instead of asking developers to estimate how much capacity they are likely to need, the Stanford system would start by asking what sort of performance their applications require.

Read much more detail here.