Face-Less or Face-Full of IT Support?

I'm looking at IT Managers, Head of ITs and CTOs shaking their head at the very thought of having an insourced IT guy taking up desk space and the head count budget.

This is all about SMEs, my favorite kind of companies to work with, perhaps a global presence, no more than 400 employees.

It's Monday morning the docking station at your desk isn't turning on, you've checked the power cables and everything else you can think of. So you go to the last resort, you pick up the phone and dial IT support, an internal number that quickly gets redirected out of the company to an external provider, they don't know who you are, asking what company you work for, name, telephone number, how important are you in the company, how long can you wait without complaint? All these questions being thrown at you, they can't fix it and have to send an engineer and oh, it's a hardware fault which is a 12 hour SLA, someone will be in touch, come out to you hopefully today to replace the dock, sorry about that. "How was your experience with IT this morning?". Another victim of outsourced IT hassle on a busy Monday morning that has once again annoyed and ruined another employees view of IT.

Let's take the VIP and personable approach to the same Monday morning docking station situation. That telephone number you ring goes through to an employee of your company, Charlie, he gets into the office at the same time as you, you smile on the train at each other occasionally, you know Charlie, would recognise him down the pub after work on a Thursday, he's at the company events, this gives you hope and comfort, instills confidence in your IT department. Charlie comes over in 10 minutes, he even brings his cup of tea and he has a replacement dock in his hand already. Charlie runs the same checks you did, but you're having a quick chat about what happened over the weekend, you're at ease, Monday is getting back on track quickly. Charlie replaces the dock and pops your laptop back on with a smile, docks your laptop turns it on, it's at the login screen and you logon, Charlie's work is done and he gets back to his desk. "How was your experience with IT this morning?".

IT support is one of the most key, integral and important departments in a company. Yet computers are attributable to dissatisfaction in the work place... Let's give your employees the best start in their job and the execution of their duties with some friendly, onsite IT support, can you afford not too?

I've been involved with IT support for the last 10 years and in VIP support and what I call highly personable support for SMEs for the past 5 years. For me, the key to a successful IT service is sometimes just to have a cup of tea with the end users of your system and understand their pains and pitfalls, get to know how they utilise the IT system and how we, as a department feeding into the company can make their processes easier. With outsourced IT support, this is rarely possible, it's so key and important in these highly technological times to bring a friendly face back to IT support, after all, a computer replacement with a cup of tea and a quick chat about the weekend is probably what you're end users are looking for!

An Overview of the Block Chain Technology and Its Benefits

In recent times, block chain technology redefined the Internet and led to the emergence of a new type of internet where digital information is distributed without copying. The technology was conceived and devised primarily for crypto currencies, digital currencies like the Bit-coin. In contemporary times, bit-coin is referred to as the digital gold and the total value of this currency is close to about 9 billion US dollars. Block chain technology can make other type of digital values. The functioning of the technology is encapsulated and therefore the user can use it without having to know it in detail. However, it is always recommended to have a basic notion about the technology in context before using it as this adequately simplifies the use.

The functioning of the technology is pretty much encapsulated implying that there is no need to know about the working of the block chain technology in detail, a fundamental idea about the working of the technology is more than sufficient for individuals using it. In simpler terms, this technology can be defined as a digital ledger of commercial transactions which is incorruptible and can be programmed to record not just the financial transactions but anything which has value associated with it.

Information stored as part of the technology in context is quite similar to the same in a spread sheet or any distributed database. Just as a spread sheet containing values can be regularly updated, the block chain too can be updated from time to time. The records stored using the block chain technology are not kept in a private location, instead, such data source are kept in public domain so that they can be verified on a timely basis. Using such a technology, the information is not held by any centralized servers instead they are stored in several database servers across millions of workstations, computers that are connected to the internet. It is because of this that the block chain data cannot be hacked or corrupted.

Since in this technology the blocks of information can be assessed across more than one point in the network therefore it cannot be controlled by a single entity. Since there are multiple copies of block chain information available across networks therefore such technologies do not have a single point of failure. Other facets of this technology are that it is transparent, incorruptible, very much decentralized because the information related to the technology in context is stored in several host machines across the network and all these factors contribute to making the block chain network highly secure.

Laravel: An Overview

Laravel a free PHP web application framework is used in the development of web applications. The architectural framework it follows is MVC (Model - View - Controller). It consists of an open source framework with a striking and dignified syntax. It targets the application functionality which makes the work of the web developer an effortless task. It provides high-level contemplation of common web development patterns, easy shortcuts for repetitive programming tasks, and clear conventions for how to solve problems. Most sites have a certain set of functionality (like data validation, etc) and a framework prevents you from re-writing it each time you create a website.

Laravel is one unrestricted tool that helps to make large robust applications. Its outstanding features and high utility makes it the most used PHP framework ever.

This web application framework was created by Taylor Otwell in 2011 and this framework has accomplished in bearing to the intentions that it was conveyed for i.e. developing web applications using the MVC model.

This web application framework comes with an ample amount of features:

• It includes a timely moderate packing system which also comes with a bonus of a devoted dependency manager.

• It has categorical ways for accessing relational database through routing.

• It has high development speed and extension skill to use multiple modules.

• This framework comes with additional utilities that benefit in application formation and maintenance.

• The direction of this framework is towards syntax.

• This framework is of great benefit when the developers are looking out for something that can provide effortless authentication with simple and easy to use interface.

Companies using Laravel technology use it for its high readability and broad user-friendly features. Another reason that makes Laravel being favored by the developers is that they do not get a complication of spaghetti coding while working on this framework and are also offered with trouble free syntax.

Another reason why companies are bent towards this framework is that it offers dynamic software solutions at an affordable price. A website that is built using Laravel PHP framework is profitable and delivers high routine performance. Companies using Laravel development services are Wattpad, Webrazzi, Gitlab, Engine, Digital, Doorbell, Snapwidget, Bold Commerce, Payzip, Abacus, Moltin.

Laravel developers in any system can use it to provide the following services to their clients:

• Customized Application Development
• SEO friendly Application Structure
• Web Based E- commerce Solutions
• API Integration
• Online CRM Solutions
• Multilingual Solutions
• Payment Getaway Integration.

How Technology Has Improved Education Levels

The use of technology in learning institutions has increased. According to a recent study by CompTIA, up to 78% of teachers believe the use of technology in schools has positively influenced student's productivity while 65% of educators believe the use of technology has made students more productive and learning exciting.

Technology is today used in almost all aspects of our day-to-day activities. People have become accustomed to the use of devices developed through technology. Despite a smaller percentage of individuals claiming the use of technology has done as much destruction as good, education is one of the areas where its use has completely transformed the way people study and educational institutions operate. Here are six ways how the use of technology has managed to help improve education standards.

1. Online Resources

You can always research on the internet for any educational information you need. You are always bound to find some help on the web from the broad range of resources available. The use of online resources such as studying tips, free courses, and secure custom support will help improve your grades.

2. Multimedia learning

People learn in different ways. While some individuals learn better visually, others do so using audio. This has made most education institutions and teachers to change their tact. Instead of focusing on lectures and giving notes, most educators and schools have resorted to using of multimedia to help teach their students better. It comprises use of auditory, visual and kinesthetic. With technology, there is always a way you can effectively learn.

3. Use of E-books

Nothing bores a learner like having to lug around a pile of books for a curriculum. You can carry your entire course materials wherever you go in a tablet. You can always open the eBooks and do light studying wherever or whenever you wish like reading. The e-books are also known to cost less compared to the usual paperbacks making them affordable to most students.

4. Worldwide tutoring

The Internet is not just known for having the unlimited amount of information online; it also contains an infinite number of minds! With technology, you are now able to receive help from anywhere irrespective of your location. This is beneficial especially to people who are interested in learning other languages.

5. Online Editing

There are times when you might need a second opinion but might not have a friend around to have a look at it. Reading through your work and making corrections before submission is one thing you can never afford to ignore. You are most likely set to miss on something when you decide to edit all by yourself. Sharing your work with an online editor is one efficient method you can always use to help improve the quality of your paper.

6. Study Groups

Despite preferring to explore alone, there are times when you might be assigned a group project. However, scheduling a meeting with your group students can be impossible. With technology, there are online platforms making group discussions easier. You can easily share notes and other materials and collaborate through video chats. You can also decide to connect with other students doing a similar course even if you are not in the same group.

Technology is here to stay. Instead of opposing the use of technology in education, it is best to embrace it and use it to help improve your education by furthering your studies. Gone are the days when one will have to go through the entire encyclopedia researching for what you can get in seconds with the use of technology.

You, Me and Technology: The Truth

Can you figure out what you and I have in common with Technology? If you think a little you will find out. Read on for insights.

You and I both love to take advantage of technology. Yet when we do that, we overdo it sometimes costing our health and most of all, our eyes and back.

Eyesight will start to deteriorate and our back pain will develop. We need to move our hands and legs while taking breaks and walk around a bit. Otherwise our body will start to malfunction and start to give symptoms.

Other than that, loving technology with limits is great. You get to learn a lot about tools and software over the mighty reign of internet. They come to your aid when you carry out computer tasks and make life easier for you. So you and I have nothing to lose.

On the other hand, we must set aside technology for a while and enjoy the beauty of life, recreate and recharge our batteries. In other words, we need to have fun with friends and family. Then we can go back to work with refreshed energy and vigor.

Now technology is a broad term. You and I cannot focus on everything at the same time. So we need to narrow it down to our field of expertise and focus on those stuff and skills that would augment our tasks at home and work. You and I should learn these things within a deadline, yet go slow, grabbing skills one day at a time.

We should keep in mind about improving our technology skills all the time so that we do not lag behind. Then we should set an example for others, sharing our knowledge, disseminating them as much as we can through teaching, writing and speaking because sharing is not only caring but also productive. So remember to share with others through a suitable medium because when you help others, you cannot do so without helping yourself first.

So we should give credit to technology since it has entwined with our lives, benefiting us to great lengths but at the same time we should keep ourselves under control without doing too much of it and being addicted.

The absolute truth about you, me and technology is that technology is never ending and we need to need to pace up with it for a lifetime because life itself is a never ending learning process. So as much as we need to have fun and recreate, we also need to give valuable time to tune technology skills to our finger tips.

How Computers Benefit Society

Computers are wonderful machines. They are everywhere and society depends on them to manage our world. It is no wonder that computers have almost unlimited applications, and that they are multiplying at a steady rate. Many of these applications are benefiting society directly or indirectly. The three most important ways computers are benefiting society, is by, creating more information technology professions, creating new automobile safety features, and opening ground-breaking communication methods. There currently exist many other beneficial functions of these machines, such as their use for diagnosing patients, running weather simulations to predict future weather patterns, and calculating large, complex data sets. As new applications emerge for computer systems, so will the benefits society will derive from them.

Creating more information technology (IT) professions is proportionally related to how many new computer systems are put into use. As new computers are sold to consumers, the demand for more IT professions will rise because consumers will need these professionals to maintain, upgrade and repair their new computer systems. . More employment is also made available when new computer applications are discovered. This makes sense because new applications require new professionals that are trained to deal with that specific application. For example, when the World Wide Web was introduced, many new professions arose. Some of these professions range from website designers and server administrators to online marketers. These factors show that computers are benefiting society directly by creating new information technology professions, which is vitally important to the development of any countries labor force.

Computers were introduced into cars in the late nineteenth century, for such effects as controlling engine functions, fuel injection, and signal light timing. It is not until recently, that computers have started to play a role in helping to save peoples lives by enabling car manufacturers to create new automobile safety features. Air bags are an extremely important safety feature in an automobile. A computer is located in the steering wheel of an automobile, which is equipped with airbags and is the only device capable of signaling the airbags to deploy in the case of an accident. According to McCormick (1999), it is an estimation that "between 1990 and 1997, air bags saved about 150 lives in Canada. In the United States, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that airbags, as of September 1, 1999, have saved the lives of over 4,600 Americans involved in car crashes." This would not be possible without computer systems. Another popular safety feature is the anti-lock braking system, or ABS. The purpose of the anti-lock braking system is to stop a vehicle from locking its tires, which has been shown to dramatically increase a drivers control in a potential crash. These safety features have proven to be beneficial to society thanks to computers, by decreasing the number of automobile accidents, and the number of fatalities involved in such accidents.

Society is dependent on rapid and reliable communications. Computers have allowed us to open ground-breaking communication methods that satisfy those dependencies. One communication method is known as electronic mail (e-mail). E-mail has become a common form of communication because it is free, reliable, and most importantly, incredibly fast. Due to the nature of e-mail, being electronic data, it relies on computers to deliver and receive messages. Another popular method of communication making rapid headway is instant messaging, or IM. According to a survey (Shiu & Lenhart, 2004) "53 million American adults use instant messaging and its appeal is especially apparent among young adults and technology enthusiasts." Similar to e-mail, instant messaging allows many people to send textual information to each other simultaneously. This form of communication is similar to a telephone conversation, but using electronic text as a medium instead of a person's voice. As instant messaging is based on electronic text, it is dependent on computer systems to operate because they are the only devices capable of transmitting and manipulating electronic data. Both of these new communication methods are bringing people closer together, in a global sense, and this is benefiting society.

New problems for society will continually emerge, and as a result, computers will be applied to such problems. These machines are the work horses of the future and as such, society will greatly depend on them. As stated, the three most important ways computers are benefiting society now is by creating more information technology professions, developing new automobile safety features, and opening ground-breaking communication methods. Therefore, computer systems have been shown to be a great benefit to society through these three examples and society will continue to depend on the benefits these systems provide in the future.

The Wonders of Computers and the Global Network of Networks That is the Internet

Computers are one of the supreme and best inventions ever made in the history of modern technology. It has brought numerous and countless advances to many different fields of studies as well as in the lives of many people. Today, computers have changed how people work and have opened new methods and means of acquiring new knowledge and skills. Do you know that computers have even transformed how you communicate with each other through the advancements in technology?

One of these advancements is the Internet. Now, who among you does not know anything about the Internet? Perhaps using computers will never be complete without using the Internet. This global network of networks have swept the lives of many people including you as daily tasks become handier, communications more convenient, and most of all, sources of information broader and more accessible.

Let us try to uncover the benefits of computers and the Internet in an individual's daily life in general:

1. Through the computer and the Internet, you'll be able to discover new ways in getting hold of informative and useful information in almost any fields of studies, something that is imaginable and beyond what you can think of. Information that is definitely ready at your fingertips.

2. It has changed how you do business. Gone are the days of labor-intensive and manual way of inputting data through ink and paper. Now, with a few taps of keys and a few clicks of the mouse, good and productive business is on its way.

3. It opens new doors of opportunities and ventures. Apart from the way you do business, the computer and the Internet has also become your partner in doing business effectively, how your products are sold to vast numbers of consumers, and how services are provided superbly.