AI-powered VoIP: what businesses can expect
Automating business processes is a necessity for most organizations. While the human element is still important, automation increases time to market and saves money. And because telecom is an essential part of businesses’ operations, AI developers are introducing advances in VoIP telephony that will take automation to a whole new level. Contact center operations Highly automated VoIP technology enables businesses to manage their call centers easily and reduce the need for human intervention For example, AI-integrated VoIP systems can determine a caller’s personality, mood, and queries so calls are routed to the agent best equipped to handle them. This makes call center operations more seamless and cost-efficient because this reduces the need for a help desk operator to answer calls just to redirect them. Interactive voice response (IVR) systems An IVR system is designed to automatically respond to customer queries, which is extremely helpful for high call volume. AI enhances this feature by working in the background as AI assistants gathering all relevant customer data such as personal information and recent transactions to resolve a query. For more nuanced queries, the AI “worker” sends this information to the business representative, who will be much better able to serve the customer.. Conferencing capabilities Web conferencing has improved over the years with internet speeds and telecom technology constantly developing. AI advances it even further with real-time language translation and speech recognition technology, which greatly benefits businesses with multiple geographic locations and whose stakeholders come from diverse backgrounds. AI-enabled web conferencing can even provide intelligent prompts and relevant data to guide your conversations and ensure a fruitful meeting. Chatbot functions Chatbots are useful programs that receive instructions via textual or auditory means to perform automated tasks. Like IVR systems, bots are used by businesses to automate customer interactions. AI-powered chatbots go beyond regular bot duties by performing more complex tasks like setting up meetings, inviting attendees, managing schedules, and much more. With AI-powered systems promising improvements in contact center operations, customers’ IVR experiences, web conferencing, and scheduling, businesses are understandably eager to adopt them. There’s so much more that VoIP systems can do for your business, and we’ve got the expertise to handle all your VoIP-related concerns. Just call us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
The basics of serverless computing
Serverless computing is one way to reduce management burdens brought about by the need to configure several servers. But before you adopt this technology, it’s important that you first understand its basic principles as well as how you can leverage it to improve your day-to-day operations and, ultimately, your bottom line. What is serverless computing? Serverless computing is a bit of a misnomer since this model still uses servers, or computers that process requests and deliver data over a network. Outsourcing workloads to the cloud requires just as much hardware as if the computations were performed in an on-site server. The only difference is the location of the server. In serverless computing, servers are maintained in the cloud. Office 365 and Google Docs are great examples of this model. Thousands of servers are set up to run these apps so that they can always handle millions of users at any given moment. Microsoft and Google need to manage and maintain these servers round-the-clock to keep up with demand — always on and always ready to handle more workloads, even during off-peak hours. Serverless computing enables developers to create apps and websites that use cloud resources only when they’re needed. So if you were to create a web app, you wouldn’t need to pay for a dedicated cloud server. The cloud provider would host your app’s programming code and run it only when a user requested it, and allocate the appropriate resources and charge by the second for what is used. What are its benefits? Serverless computing is perfect for those who use cloud resources for processing power. It isn’t for those who use the cloud just to store files. But if you use the cloud to process information and turn it into something more useful, serverless computing will be a great help. Take for example Amazon’s Alexa. Every command Alexa responds to is nothing more than an app that sits dormant until a user tells the AI assistant to run it. Small businesses are taking advantage of this by developing apps in Amazon’s cloud that Alexa can process without the burden of setting up a dedicated server. Serverless computing isn’t about getting rid of servers; it’s about using their raw computing power without having to fine tune them first. It’s categorized as a virtualization technology and offers countless opportunities for SMBs working with limited budgets. If you have questions about virtualization and how your SMB can use it to lower costs and increase efficiencies, reach out to us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Amazing improvements in Office 365
If you’re an Office 365 subscriber, you’re in for some souped-up enhancements. Most involve artificial intelligence (AI) making sense of your data for you, so you spend less time and effort manually processing it. Here are a few of the latest enhancements that’ll give you more time for value-added tasks (and for coffee breaks and power naps, too). Office Write and draw with digital ink Typing is easy on desktops and laptops, but when you’re on touch-enabled devices, keyboards are cumbersome to use, whether they are extra hardware or as space invaders on your screen. Now, the Draw tab is available on your favorite Office programs so you can use your finger, a stylus, or a mouse to doodle and write. You can automatically convert your handwriting to text in Word or OneNote by implementing the handwriting input function of your Windows 10 touch keyboard. Chat with colleagues right inside the app Now available exclusively to Office 365 subscribers, the chat function lets team members message one another within a Word document, PowerPoint presentation, or Excel spreadsheet as they work on it together. Word Write with your voice Ever wished you had a personal secretary who could type dictation for you? As an Office 365 subscriber, you won’t need one. Sign into your account, turn on your microphone, then go to Home > Dictate (in Outlook, go to Message > Dictate instead). Once the Dictate icon turns red, you can start writing your document just by speaking. It’s that easy! Now available in Word for Office 365, Outlook for Office 365, PowerPoint for Office 365, and OneNote for Windows 10. Edit documents with natural gestures With your handwriting and voice digitized into standard text, editing your document is easy, thanks to natural gestures. It’s like using a pen to insert or cross out words on printouts, but immediately seeing your edits afterward! Other magical things you can do include inserting spaces and paragraph breaks, stringing broken-up words together, and circling text to select it. Now available in Word for Office 365 and Word Mobile. PowerPoint Transform your scribbles Sometimes you need to draw or write by hand to get stuff down quickly. Using digital ink can be the quickest way to communicate, but turning scribbles into editable text or easy-to-manipulate shapes for a slideshow presentation later on is time-consuming. Or rather, that was the case, because now Ink to Text and Ink to Shape can convert your handwriting and hand drawings into standard text or shapes, respectively. Now available for PowerPoint for Office 365, PowerPoint for iPad, and PowerPoint for iPhone. Ink to Shape is also available exclusively to Office 365 subscribers on Excel for Office 365, Word for Office 365, Excel 2016, Word 2016, and Visio Online Plan 2. Excel “Ideas” literally let you work smarter Pie charts, bar graphs, scatter diagrams — with so many ways to visualize data, it can become troublesome to implement the right graph. Thankfully, the upcoming Ideas will let AI come up with the most apt graphs for you. Just click on a cell in a data table, click the Ideas button on the Home tab, then voila! Excel comes up with charts for you to choose from. It can even set trend lines, recognize outliers, and create summaries for you — all without having to write an unwieldy formula! Coming soon to Excel for Office 365, Excel for Office 365 for Mac, and Excel Online. A picture is worth a thousand data points Since optical character recognition software is already a couple of decades old, it’s about time we’re able to extract data tables from pictures. Soon, the Insert data from picture function will let us encode ingredients lists from recipes and digitize printed receipts by taking their photos. Coming soon to Excel for Android tablets and Excel for Android phones. One formula, many values For so long, Excel users had to enter a formula and copy it to get multiple values (known as an array) from their data tables. With dynamic arrays, however, all you have to do is write a formula once, press Enter, and you’ll instantly get values for entire columns or tables instantly, which means faster processing with fewer errors. To illustrate, you can use a dynamic array to fill up entire multiplication tables, and when you change or add more factors, the array will recalculate and resize automatically. Coming soon to Excel for Office 365 and Excel for Office 365 for Mac. Outlook Quickly create tasks Outlook now lets you create tasks and to-do lists the way you write emails. Just click Tasks > New Tasks, type the name of the task in the Subject box, and add task details in the body. You can also set its priority, start and due dates, and even a reminder for it. Additionally, you can create tasks out of emails by dragging an email to Tasks on the navigation bar. This is way faster than copy-pasting email contents onto the body of a task, though keep in mind that email attachments aren’t carried over to the newly made task. Make the most out of Office 365! If you’re already a subscriber or are currently looking into it, let us help you configure and implement it for maximum productivity. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Simplify logging in with Windows Hello
Just like in sci-fi movies, Microsoft’s biometric logins can now recognize your face, fingerprint, or eyes when you attempt to access your device. Here’s everything you need to know when setting up Windows Hello. Say hello to fingerprint, iris, and facial scans Windows Hello is an advanced biometric identity and access control feature in Windows 10. It allows you to log in to your computer without the need to enter a password. All you need is a fingerprint, iris, or facial scan. If you’re worried about your privacy, rest assured that your biometric data is only saved in your device, never on Microsoft’s servers. It’s still best to handle this technology with caution, but Microsoft assures users that third parties cannot access your biometric data. How to set up Windows Hello A laptop or desktop with Windows 10 and a compatible webcam are all you need to set up Windows Hello. There is a full list of supported hardware here. To get started with Hello, click the magnifying glass on your Start bar and open the Settings window. From there, choose Account, followed by Sign-in options. Then, under the Windows Hello section, you’ll see setup options for face, iris, or fingerprint scans. Select which method you want to set up and follow the prompts to create a login profile. You can even save your biometric data or scan more than once to boost accuracy. The system collects more data every time you scan, so it’s better to complete a few scans before enabling the login feature. After setting up your account, you can start adding family members who share the same device. Each of them can set up their own biometric profile in a separate account. Passwords can still be an option when using Windows Hello in case your camera isn’t working. There are several Windows features that can make your life easier. Our IT experts can help you get more out of your Windows devices. Contact us today! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
5 Reasons to use Google Data Studio now
Google is well known for its powerful search engine, but did you know it also offers intuitive business intelligence tools? Google Data Studio is one of the tools in the Google Analytics 360 Suite, and many companies are already raving about it. What is Google Data Studio? Google Data Studio is a data visualization tool that enables you to turn raw data into detailed and digestible reports. It pulls information from data collection platforms and centralizes it in a single dashboard. At first glance, Data Studio may seem like any run-of-the-mill reporting software, but it has plenty of features worth mentioning. Compatible with several data sources Google Data Studio naturally collects data from Google Ads, Analytics, and YouTube. However, you can also import from various third-party services like Facebook, Twitter, MailChimp, Salesforce, and MySQL, just to name a few. By consolidating all this information in one dashboard, you’ll be able to gain valuable insights into your operations, finances, and marketing campaigns. Fully customizable Data Studio lets you customize your reports however you like. You can start with a blank template or use pre-packaged templates. From there, it’s easy to drag and drop widgets, charts, graphs, and data onto your dashboard. You can even customize aesthetics by changing colors, formatting, and fonts. Interactive real-time reports The reports you create are also dynamic. Whenever you add information on one of your data sources, Data Studio will automatically update the reports. What’s more, you can filter reports based on date, time, users, and other parameters to get the metrics you need. Seamless collaboration Working with your colleagues on Google Data Studio is as straightforward as using Google Docs. To share reports, all you have to do is send your coworkers a link and give them permission to comment and edit the information. There’s also no need to install local software on your machine. Data Studio is fully cloud-based, meaning authorized users can access your reports from any approved internet browser. It’s free! That’s right, Google Data Studio and all its robust reporting features come at no additional cost to your business. Although there are paid alternatives that claim to have better features, Data Studio is constantly getting feature updates and support from Google, so it’s a no-brainer. If you want to learn more about Google Data Studio for your business, call us today. While it is fairly straightforward to use, we can show you how to make the most out of the software. We even provide comprehensive support services for all things IT. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Think your password is secure? Think again
A password policy designed for federal agencies must be secure, right? Surprisingly, that hasn’t been the case, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The NIST created many of the password best practices you probably loathe — the combination of letters, numbers, and special characters — but it now says those guidelines were misguided and has changed its stance on the matter. Find out why and how it involves you. The problem The issue isn’t necessarily that the NIST advised people to create passwords that are easy to crack, but it steered people into creating lazy passwords, using capitalization, special characters, and numbers that are easy to predict, like “P@ssW0rd1.” This may seem secure, but in reality, these strings of characters and numbers could easily be compromised by hackers using common algorithms. To make matters worse, NIST also recommended that people change their passwords regularly, but did not define what it actually means to “change” them. Since people thought their passwords were already secure with special characters, most only added one number or symbol. NIST essentially forced everyone to use passwords that are hard for humans to remember but easy for computers to guess. Recently, the institution admitted that this scheme can cause more problems than solutions. It has reversed its stance on organizational password management requirements, and is now recommending banishing forced periodic password changes and getting rid of complexity requirements. The solution Security consultant Frank Abagnale and Chief hacking officer for KnowBe4 Kevin Mitnick both see a future without passwords. Both security experts advise enterprises to utilize multifactor authentication (MFA) in login policies. This requires users to present two valid credentials to gain access to their data. For instance, a code texted to an employee’s smartphone can serve as an added security measure to thwart hackers. Moreover, Mitnick recommended implementing long passphrases of 25 characters or more, such as “correcthorsebatterystaple” or “iknewweretroublewhenwalkedin5623”. These are much more difficult to guess and less prone to hacking. As for the frequency of changing passphrases, it will depend on a company’s risk tolerance. Simply put, passwords should be longer and include nonsensical phrases and English words that make it almost impossible for an automated system to make sense of. Even better, you should enforce the following security solutions within your company: Single sign-on – allows users to securely access multiple accounts with one set of credentials Account monitoring tools – recognizes suspicious activity and locks out hackers When it comes to security, ignorance is the biggest threat. If you’d like to learn about what else you can do, just give us a call. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
How to speed up Macs running on Mojave
When your previously blazing fast Mac is taking longer than usual to start up, launch applications, or open and save files, something’s clearly wrong. Some users think it’s due to the macOS Mojave update, but it could also be due to other issues. Regardless of what’s causing the slowdown, these tips can help. Clean up your Login Items The Login Items list (or “Startup List”) contains all the apps and programs that automatically start when you log in. Some applications or programs are automatically added upon installation while some are manually added. Items that are no longer supported by Mojave will take time to launch, causing the system to slow down. To remedy this, Go to System Preferences > Users & Groups > Login Items Remove unsupported apps by selecting the app(s) and clicking the “—” button You can also clean out specific unsupported apps and services from your list. On the other hand, the slowdown may also be caused by apps that are outdated. If you suspect this to be the case, simply update your apps. Start up in Safe Mode The Mac Safe Mode is often used to troubleshoot system-wide issues and fix problems with specific apps. Booting up in Safe Mode doesn’t just repair startup drive and hardware issues, but it also deletes system caches, which slow down the startup process. Cache files are temporary data stored on a hard drive to speed up processes. But for major upgrades like installing a new OS, cache files may become corrupted and slow down your computer. Clearing your Mac’s cache and other temporary files may bring back your Mac’s old speed. Upgrade to an SSD An SSD (solid-state drive) is a disk storage system that significantly speeds up a Mac’s ability to process data. It will entail some expense since you might need to purchase one, but it’s one of the most effective ways to speed up your Mac. Alternatively, you can use an external storage system to boot up your computer. Free up startup drive space A Mac may also slow down because of insufficient space on its startup drive. Every Mac has a built-in hard disk, but users have the option to use an external startup disk for faster performance. Your space requirement depends on the programs you use. So if you work on large media files and data, you need a bigger disk storage. If you’ve tried one or several of these tips and still experience sluggishness, it may be time to consider other options, including trading in your old Mac for a new one. But before you do that, let us help you explore other ways to improve the performance of your trusty machine. Get in touch with us today. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Are your mobile devices protected?
Businesses have embraced mobile technology, as it allows for constant collaboration, which increases productivity. But as the number of mobile devices used in daily operations grows, so do the incidents of cybercrimes targeting smartphones and tablets. Protect your company mobile devices by following these steps. Ensure mobile OS is up-to-date The updates on Apple and Android operating systems (OSs) improve overall user experience, but their most important function is to fix security vulnerabilities. Reduce your business’s exposure to threats by installing updates for all devices as soon as they become available. Don’t wait for a few weeks or months to update, as this give hackers ample time to exploit vulnerabilities on devices that run on an outdated OS. Install business applications only Downloading apps seems harmless. But lenient policies on what should and shouldn’t be downloaded on company mobile devices could lead to staff downloading and installing non-business-related apps from third-party stores, most of which are notorious for malicious advertising codes and other threats. Be careful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks Emergency situations may compel you to use password-free Wi-Fi networks in hotels, airports, cafes, and other public places. Connecting to an open network can expose your confidential information and sensitive company data to hackers connected to the same network. You can avoid this by providing a practical internet data plan, preferably one that includes roaming services, for remote workers. And if you really have to connect to an open Wi-Fi, don’t use the connection for transferring sensitive data. Enable phone tracking tools It’s sad but inevitable — losing a company-issued mobile device happens. Devices can be misplaced or stolen, and enabling Find My iPhone for iOS devices, GPS Phone Tracker for Android, or any device-tracking app helps users locate lost phones. Some also have the option to delete data in stolen devices. Downloading and setting up such an app only takes a few minutes, and it will give you peace of mind knowing that even if your phone is lost or stolen, its contents will not be compromised. Screen SMS carefully SMS phishing can be used to trick you into clicking malicious links. Hackers send messages purporting to be from someone you know, asking you to urgently send confidential data. Should you encounter such an SMS, you can either delete it or alert your IT department. You can also block unknown senders without even opening their message. Mobile devices are becoming more critical to operations. And with more devices open to attack, businesses must bolster their cybersecurity efforts. Hackers will exploit every possible vulnerability, and that includes those in unsecured smartphones and tablets. Get in touch with us if you need comprehensive security solutions for your business. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
Why SaaS is right for your business
Almost every business relies on software to operate, but most SMBs find lifetime licenses painfully expensive. What can you do to harness the power of software without breaking the bank? One good alternative is software as a service or SaaS. Read on to learn more. What is SaaS and what makes it appealing? SaaS is a software delivery model that allows the user to access software from any device via the internet. This gives you more flexibility since you don’t have to come to the office to use the software. You can work from anywhere as long as you can go online. As opposed to a traditional on-premises setup where software is stored locally, SaaS is hosted in the cloud. By transferring software hosting to a third party, you’re outsourcing all the responsibilities that come with maintenance, such as upgrades and troubleshooting. In a way, getting SaaS is like renting a car: Somebody else owns the vehicle, but you get to drive it. Shifting software ownership away from your business also changes how much you pay for it. With on-premises software, you purchase a license and pay yearly support fees, which can amount to 22 percent of the price of license fees (ouch!). With SaaS, you pay a monthly or annual subscription fee that covers licenses, support, and other fees. This is better since it allows you to spread out costs on a monthly basis, instead of purchasing expensive licenses outright and ending up with a huge maintenance bill every year. Will my data be safe? One of the issues that make companies reluctant to switch to SaaS is data security. Who will own my data? Will my data be safe? What if the vendor goes out of business? For your peace of mind and safety, when you’re outsourcing your software to a SaaS vendor, you have to sign a service level agreement (SLA). This should specify that you own the data and that the vendor is obliged to provide access to your data even if it goes bankrupt. Data hosted by your SaaS vendor will be more secure than when it’s stored on your average SMB’s network. That’s because SaaS vendors have to undergo strict security audits, forcing them to invest more in security, backup technology, and maintenance than a typical SMB. Should I switch to SaaS or stick to on-premises? SaaS is an ideal solution for small and medium-sized businesses that are looking for a way to reduce upfront costs. But if your business is large or has complex processes, a traditional on-premises solution might be better since it offers more functionality and allows for full customization. Still unsure about whether SaaS is the right answer for your organization? Want to know more about SaaS before making the transition? Call us today! Our experts are ready to answer any questions you may have about SaaS. Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.
The true cost of an ugly website
We are taught never to judge a book by its cover. But in this superficial age, looks are everything, especially for websites. Your website is a customer’s first impression of your business, and if it doesn’t wow them, you’re losing money. Follow these best practices so you don’t end up in that situation. A variety of professional photos From pictures of your products to team photos, high-quality images are arguably the most important thing on your website. Blurry, outdated, or irrelevant pictures tell your site visitors that you don’t care about their browsing experience. In-house photos are the best option, but stock images shouldn’t cause any problems as long as they are optimized for mobile viewing and relevant to your content. Navigation Aside from one subpar imagery, linking to nonexistent pages is one of the best ways to turn site visitors away. Make sure it’s easy to navigate your site and remove outdated or irrelevant pages. You can’t sell 404 pages to customers, and if that’s all visitors can find, it’s game over. Clear copywriting The last thing you want to do is to confuse your customers, so it’s important to keep all of your product or service descriptions as straightforward and simple as possible. If what you’re selling has detailed information, such as dimensions or technical requirements, make sure it’s easy to find but not obtrusive. Promises to site visitors Any website that ships products should make its returns policy as visible as possible. This establishes trust early and some online shoppers make purchase decisions based solely on the clarity of a return policy. If you don’t run an eCommerce site, you also need to prominently display privacy commitments, such as those mandated by the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). About page Your brand needs a story behind it that customers can relate to. Every company website should have an About Us page that describes your team, its culture, and what sets you apart from the competition. Whatever your story is, make sure it’s accessible from any page on your site. Design Not everyone is a web design expert, but in today’s gig economy one is never too far away. If your budget is tight, there are DIY site builders specifically geared toward small businesses. Or with a relatively low monthly expenditure, you can hire a managed website provider. With more revenue originating online, small- and medium-sized business owners can’t afford to overlook the importance of creating a fully functional website. For more information on building a modern website, call us today! Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.