Enterprise Fleet Management Ensures Employee Compliance

Posted on Nov 21, 2015 | 0 comments

Businesses operating a fleet need checks and balances to ensure that their employees aren’t misusing the vehicle that they have been entrusted to drive. This kind of behaviour could include using the vehicle outside of work hours, outside of designated areas, or diverting from the route for personal use during work hours.

Unfortunately, this kind of employee misuse of company assets is common, and if your policy clearly states that they are forbidden from using the vehicle for personal use then an Enterprise Fleet Management system ensures complete compliance.

With nearly 80% of all truck drivers operating company-owned vehicles, as opposed to personally owned and operated vehicles, the need for constant monitoring is important to reduce costly driving behaviour.

A clearly defined employee policy, followed by concise GPS tracking to monitor and record the use of company vehicles is integral to ensuring employees remain compliant during day-to-day routes.

MS 365: It’s Not Just Encoding

Posted on Oct 2, 2015 | 0 comments

With the last release of MS Office 365, a lot of businesses have taken big steps to modify its game. The current office suite is extremely different from former versions of Microsoft Office, especially from how it’s been allocated to what is involved and to how it’s charged.

The good part is, most of the MS 365 modifications are extremely positive, a huge reason why MS Office 365 Home Premium edition is still an Editors’ Choice according. Even if the change is good with this case, there’s still a lot needed to know before choosing to buy or install the suite

MS 365 suite is “in the cloud” based from two aspects.

• Acquiring the suite definitely demands downloading it, meaning it can’t be bought on a disc; except in some countries where Microsoft will keep on selling discs.

• The office suite is configured to save the documents to the cloud. There is still an option to save the files locally; however, the apps combine closely with those that are online.

As mentioned, suite was created to combine closely with today’s needs. Each of the users get a 7 GB free space to begin with plus an additional 20GB of space, giving the users a total of 27 GB.

Another clear perk that is not easy to disregard is that subscribers can get 60 free minutes of Skype every month to call on landlines in supporting countries. The Skype-to-Skype calls are always free, but at times when they need to dial international landline numbers, they can use their free Office minutes.

Price and Subscription Model

The office suite is now being marketed in the subscription model and costs $99 every year for a full household use. There are other versions of the suite, which are sold as a “perpetual” license, meaning a single copy of the software is licensed to just one machine, but that license is good for life.

The License

Paying the subscription charge for office suite has one big advantage. Office can be installed on as many as 5 devices and these may involve Windows machines and Macs. The user will be able to install the Office for additional and select mobile devices like “when available”, which is an obscure way of not encouraging apps for the big two mobile while still dangling the carrot. The latest Office is created to run on touchscreen devices, such as touchscreen laptops running Windows 8.

The Office 365 business versions have slowly been revealed one by one. The students and faculty may also get a huge discount for an Office package that is a little subordinate, but much less expensive at a price of only $79 for four years and can be used on two devices.

With a step by step guidance, they can set up the easy way and begin using all the services. Users can access the simple to use admin center from any place to handle all their services. The Office suite will take care of all IT needs for them so that their services will always be up, running and updated.

Touch Technology How It Works

Posted on Mar 10, 2015 | 0 comments

Many of us own various types of smart devices from smart phones to tablets of many different types.  And in recent years the screens on these devices has evolved from simple informative screens to incorporate touch technology.  The smart device and tablets screens have now become input devices as well.  The same is true of desktop monitors and those on laptops which have been also been infused with touch technology.

There are many advantages to the use of touch screens to be sure, but older people are slow to catch up because of the difference in feel.  Suddenly the numbers and letters are all on a smooth surface and you only know you have struck a key when you receive a response; ironically, while it is called touch technology, it is the loss of the sense of touching individual keys which takes a little time to get used to.  But how does this technology really work?  What makes it respond to the commands we poke and gesture into it? Touch screen solutions responds in various ways.

There are quite a few technologies which may be used on touch screens, some say as many as eighteen of them exist.  Here we are only going to discuss the two most common technologies and how they work:

Resistive touch screens: These screens have two separate layers; an inner one made of glass and an outer one made of soft plastic.  Each of the layers is covered electrical conductors, usually made of Indium Tin Oxide or ITO, arranged in a grid.  When you press down on a point on the plastic layer, contact between conductors in the glass and plastic layers is made, and the point of contact is determined.  Voltage in the resulting circuit is measured, and the location determined through the amount of resistance which is then interpreted as an input signal or instruction.  It is relatively inexpensive, and any smooth tip may be used to enter instructions– sharp tips may damage surface. While it used to be the most common type of touch screens used, disadvantages resulting from conductors breaking due to repeated bending caused its use to decline significantly.

Projected Capacitance touch screens:  These screens are currently used in more than 70% of smart devices.  These screens also use two separate layers containing transparent conductors on grids, usually separated by a thin sheet of glass.  The top panel is also made of glass.  The capacitance in each layer is measured separately, many times per second.  When a conductor, such as a human finger, touches the screen, disrupts the projected electromagnetic field above the conductors causing it to ‘steal’ part of the electrical charge at the point of contact.   This technology interprets the point of contact as an input; it also has the ability to identify multiple points of contact (multi-touch).  Its main disadvantage is susceptibility to EMI; perhaps something for organizations such as the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative to look into.

These two technologies account for about 8 in 10 touch screens out there.  The others are composed mostly of emerging technologies

Outbound Call Center Software Helps Contact Center Agents Sell

Posted on Dec 4, 2014 | 0 comments

A contact center is established for many tasks and purposes. They can range from help desks, information centers, claims and complaints, sales , and promotions.  Each of those requires specialized skills from call center agents and able support from software and automated systems.  There are inbound contact centers, outbound contact centers and those that handle both inbound and outbound calls.

Outbound contact center agents have one of the most difficult tasks. Though a few are tasked with collection tasks, most are basically salesmen who ply their trade over phone lines.  In most cases these highly skilled salesmen do cold calls, which are unsolicited sales pitches to someone they do not personally know.  Rejection is something these people are familiar with. Even the best get those from time to time.  Professional associations within the industry, Contact Centre Nova Scotia among them, are always on the lookout for ways to improve outbound call closing rates.

To increase the chances of their agents closing a sale, call centers have turned to software for help.  Outbound call center software has helped increase efficiencies and sales figures by providing some very useful features.  While these features definitely maximize the use of technology, they are all just focused on keeping the call center agents’ attention on selling.  While there are many software options, including virtual call center software open source types, the best ones are typically paid software which come with robust support.

It works the same way that preparation makes tasks easier and more efficient.  Sort of like preparing all the ingredients before calling the chef in, or arranging parts, tools and equipment within easy reach in an assembly plant.

In the world of outbound call centers, that means using predictive dialing to lessen the possibility of an agent manually dialing the wrong number and reducing the length of each call by at least a few seconds by speeding up connection time.  It also enables the agent to predict the best time to call particular clients when they are at home and when they would have been already at rest to be receptive, etc.  The most advanced systems only connects the line to an agent when the client picks up the phone.

Many outbound call center software and service packages include a preview dialer which allows the agent to see the next client and number on the list.  Based on past experience an agent may then choose to make the call or skip to the next client listed.  Previous client comments and information on client availability are but two reasons for making manual tweaks to ensure a greater chance of success.

The progressive dialing feature is most helpful in cases where agents already have a list of pre-screened clients to call.  All they have to do is program the list and the software dials each one after another – just as soon as the previous call is concluded.  The result is reduced time in between calls which may not be much per call, but because contact center agents field many dozens of calls, it all adds up.

With these types of software, all the agents have to do is to sell or collect.  Either way money flows in more efficiently.

Security Systems Are More Than Just Alarms

Posted on Jul 29, 2014 | 0 comments

It does not seem so long ago when people were so awed by simple and chunky alarm systems installed on homes and in cars.  A door opens, the alarm blares, and people are filled with wonder.  Nowadays the simplest do-it yourself alarm and intrusion detection security systems pack a lot of features which were unheard of back then.  And it manages to detect and alert the owner to the presence of intruders without even having to make a sound.  These days, the very simple alarms of old don’t cut it anymore.  Intruders and thieves have become more sophisticated and so have the new security systems.

New intrusion and detection systems have the ability to inform owners whenever alarms are tripped.  They can also be programmed to call a preset telephone number, such as that of the police, when tripped.  Some alarms can be programmed to turn on light switches, or start video recording whenever unauthorized entry is detected.   Of note is a recent event in the Mississauga region where over $500K of cargo was stolen from a business owner in 2014/2015.  The obvious solution here ?   security systems Mississauga to deter thieves from the get go.   The owner is now investing heavily in security.

Access control devices are also available which are packed with useful features.  Old door locks may be replaced with more modern ones that require pin codes, proximity cards, passwords, or biometric readers to allow entry.  The most advanced access control devices also have the facility to record the identities of people who have accessed restricted areas as well as times and dates of access.

Many cctv security systems available also have advanced capabilities.  Where CCTV cameras used to be bulky and produced grainy video, new systems boast of high definition videos in a small package.  Some of the most powerful ones even feature low-light and infrared capability.

Recording equipment paired with some CCTV surveillance cameras permit the archiving of videos for evidence.  As far as recording is concerned, users may choose to keep recording all the time, at preset times (such as after working hours on an industrial setting), or only when a sensor detects movement.  Videos may be backed-up and archived at offsite locations and kept in storage for whatever length of time the owner desires.

The best installed commercial cctv security systems have even more features, some of which allow viewing of videos remotely through offsite computers, laptops and smart phones connected to the internet.  Integrated systems are connected to control and monitoring systems which are usually operated by security companies.  There are also options for large security systems installations to be operated by their owners through their own control and monitoring systems.  This is true of banks, large industrial complexes and military facilities.

When options for security company monitoring is enabled, more services are made available to subscribers.  The security company may call the premises whenever any intrusion is detected.  Alternatively, the proper authorities may be notified, or a call may also be placed to the owner’s contact number.  Some security companies also send out physical responses to premises where unauthorized intrusions have been detected.

While well hidden self-installed detection and alarm equipment may be sufficient for premises requiring only basic security protection, most would benefit from professionally designed and installed integrated security systems.  A good place to look for the best security professionals is the listing of companies affiliated with organizations such as the Canadian Security Association.

Cloud Disaster Recovery – Its Advantages

Posted on May 9, 2014 | 0 comments

Disaster recovery used to involve backing up data on tapes or other media and then physically transporting them to a secure location offsite.  The system had many flaws, chief among them limiting the frequency of back-ups, costing too much in terms of time and administration, and being too slow and cumbersome.  That such systems involved a lot of capital expenditure only made matters much worse.  Then came cloud disaster recovery solutions which offered advantages not available with traditional back-up and recovery systems.

Foremost among the advantages offered by cloud backup and disaster recovery systems are reduced cost and speed of recovery.  Not being burdened with having to spend your own data storage and recovery equipment frees up resources for use in the company’s core business activity.  And as far as speed is concerned there are a lot of configurations available which offer different recovery speeds, all of which are much faster than traditional backup and recovery methods.  Members of the International Association – Cloud and Managed Service Providers are well aware of all the advantages of cloud based systems.

The most powerful option available on cloud based disaster recovery systems is the one which continually replicates data onto virtual machines in the cloud.  The service is billed as ideal for applications requiring very aggressive recovery time objective (RTO) and recovery point objective (RPO), but its capability is actually more than that.  RTO which is the time required to get back up to providing normal business services, products or activities, is almost instantaneous as it involves a cloud to cloud transfer.  Continual replication of data means that the potential for losing data is near zero.

There are other options that include having both primary and backup data in the cloud, backup to and recovery from the cloud, and backing up and restoring to the cloud.  Each option is meant to address the different concerns of business entities.  And to add even more advantages, there are options to choose to deploy such systems via a hybrid cloud.  For sure the chunks of data and applications stored in private clouds will not have the same efficiency of those entrusted to cloud solution providers but some data just cannot be allowed to leave the site.

If you look hard enough, you are sure to find a cloud-based dr solution that fits your requirements to a tee.

Cloud Storage Services Are So Affordable

Posted on May 8, 2014 | 0 comments

Converts to cloud storage go through phases.  They get attracted to the convenience offered by cloud storage services at first.  They hear users rave about having instant connections to their stored data from anywhere and at any time and they are wide-eyed with wonder.  When they consider the implications of being able to work from anywhere no matter how early or late it is, they almost take the plunge.

Then they go through a phase where they fear the consequences of a security breach.  Their concerns are heightened whenever they read of security breaches that lay bare millions of pieces of personal information.  Those business organizations who store proprietary information are most concerned.

Then friends who have been using cloud storage for some time come back to regale them with stories of how cost effective finding the best cloud storage service for your business can be.  They start detailing the cost savings that can be realized when you consider that there is no more need to purchase, install, house and maintain hardware and software for your own traditional computer infrastructure.

The savings move on to the office space that gets freed, and the IT people you will not need anymore.   And as an added plus, you don’t need to allocate funds for scaling up your storage requirements – the company providing cloud storage solutions have almost unlimited storage space you can always tap.

Having all that storage capacity on standby does not cost you a single cent – unless you ask for more capacity.  This is because cloud storage vendors normally charge on pay-as-you-go basis.

As a side note if you are interested in the latest touch screen technology to go along with your cloud storage solution, as a way to access your files on the go, then take a look at the various new tablets which are surfacing on the market.

After hearing all those cost benefits, people are normally hooked and sign up for the best cloud storage solution for their business; and that may lead to even more cost savings.  There are several reliable cloud service providers including members of the Cloud Computing Association.  Depending upon the needs of your company with regard to storage capacity, restore time, restore point and automation, you may even get by using one of several free cloud storage services.  Dropbox’s start at 2BG and Mega’s is as high as 50GB.

So cloud storage solutions are so affordable it may not even cost you a cent if your needs are modest.  It’s time to find the cloud storage service that fit your organization best.

Trucking Software Adds a New Dimension to make the transportation work even more

Posted on Feb 4, 2011 | 1 comment

The advent of Trucking software has added a new level of functionality in the operation of transportation sector. It is enterprise-ready software for companies in real sense of the term that manages all kinds of transportation services ranging from shippers, private fleets, logistics, bulk carriers, truckload carriers, LTLs to non-asset-based freight brokerage. The software takes charge of everything from finding a shipper for moving cargo to delivery and accounts management.

The trucking software plays a managing role and enables owners of transportation services to take swift decisions based on tangible facts and procedures in order to improve their business. It enables them to serve their customer in a better way. It lets them have visibility by generating a system that brings coordination between technologies, business processes and functions. It keeps a tab on cash flow and generates comprehensive reports. The software has the feature of EDI and other electronic data-feed integration.  You do not need to maintain spreadsheet containing invoices in piles. The software maintains them neatly and accurately. You can find an old invoice in a few seconds just with a click. Besides invoices it keeps all the required addresses, phone numbers, email addresses even web addresses in one place to be easily accessible.  You can find the address of an old client without looking through mounds of notes. Similarly you can maintain the instruction for the drivers of different trucks like their time of pick-up and delivery. It wipes out miscommunication between dispatch and drivers which ensures an efficient operation.