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5 Key FAQs and Answers About Network Time Servers

2019-10-22T03:13:00.003-07:00

In today's day and age, we often take the accuracy of time for granted. We assume that when we check our computers, our cell phones, or any other electronic device, the time is correct. There is, of course, a science behind timekeeping in the technological world, and many people find themselves questioning the process. If you find yourself needing to understand this process, check out these five FAQs for Network Time Servers:

1. What is a Network Time Server?

Essentially, a time server gathers an accurate time from a source or reference, most often an atomic clock or GPS system, and relays the information to a computer network. An NTS allows different computer systems to run on the same time reference, so that information is communicated accurately. This is a very important component to a computer system, if not the most important, as it manages to keep programs and applications on a strict schedule.

2. What is NTP?

The term NTP stands for Network Time Protocol. The NTP is simply a set procedure dictating clock synchronization between computer systems. The goal of NTP is to bring into line multiple systems on the same time reference. It is based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which is the commonly used time schedule worldwide. Remarkably, the NTP manages to synchronize time to within milliseconds. This is the most commonly used scheme in the world of time servers.

3. Why would you need an NTS?

The most important reason to maintain a Network Time Server is to align embedded systems accurately, so that the network continues to function efficiently and precisely. An embedded system is an application that is run within an electronic product but is not an actual computer. Embedded systems have one function and are thus cheaper and easier to manufacture than entire computers. An NTS allows embedded systems to communicate on the same time reference, thereby decreasing costs.

4. What is the difference between an atomic clock and a NTS?

An atomic clock is a device that utilizes atoms to maintain accurate timekeeping. Generally, atomic clocks are the most accurate timekeeping methods available, as they rely on electronic transition frequency. These devices are most commonly used in GPS systems. Often, a Network Time Server will rely on an atomic clock for its readings of time. The server takes the time readings from an atomic clock and ensures that all other applications are running according to schedule.

5. How is a network managed?

Just like any other computer system, regular scheduled back-ups should be maintained. If the Server fails to synchronize the multiple embedded systems, the entire network may fail. Also, these networks can be vulnerable to outside attacks. Monthly maintenance, at a minimum is recommended. The system log should keep track of time stamps and is the first place to check when there is a bug. The priority of any owner of an NTS should be to keep the network secure and regularly updated.

Interested in learning more about Network Time Servers and their functions? Visit AventasInc.com today.

Database Design - The Heart of IT

2019-10-22T03:13:00.000-07:00

A database design business is something that every highly skilled IT professional should consider when opting to setup their own online business. That's because the proper handling and management of data is the lifeblood of every business and without it, businesses would come crashing to a halt. Whether business owners realize it or not, they need quality database management. As an IT pro, it's up to you to make them realize it.

Again, data is vital to every business. This cannot be stressed enough. From something as simple as names and addresses of customers, to inventory lists to sales statistics, there is a tremendous amount of information that business owners use to gauge just how successful their business is and to decide which direction to take it in.

In order to manage that data, businesses become reliant on computer systems. Some are more complicated than others, but all have the same basic purpose: to help record, track and store that crucial data. But once data begins to be collected you have the question of what to do with it next? How do you figure out ways to manipulate that data in order to learn from it? That's the basis of a good database design.

While most business owners may understand the need for analyzing and using their data, they generally don't have the specific skills necessary to design a useful database. That's when they usually turn to IT professionals to tap into their unique skill set and get the help they need. And this is why having a database design business of your own could put you in the driver's seat.

Unlike those untrained business owners, you have the ability to look at sets of data and figure out the best system for manipulating them in order to get useful results. You do this by considering the data itself, then looking at how various data elements relate to each other and finally using those relationships to form an overall structure within which the various data sets will work together.

It may seem matter of fact to you as an IT professional, but to most standard computer users it's almost like trying to read Chinese. It can seem overwhelming and that can give you an opportunity to step in and offer your services as a translator of sorts, enabling business owners to better understand their own data so that they can make the most of it and ultimately make the most of their business.

Since the interpretation of data can ultimately lead to greater profits, it's something that all business owners should be eager to take advantage of and that should allow you to position yourself for success as well. With the proper marketing and the use of internet-online contacts, your database design business can become the go-to-solution for all sorts of business owners and before you know it you'll be earning that income you always dreamed of.

When you're thinking about setting up your own business, don't overlook the advantage that your knowledge of database design gives you. Offering your services in what is truly the heart of IT may give you just the opportunity you've been looking for to establish yourself in the field. So put those data management skills to good use today!

There are many ways to supplement your income but all of them require that you pick up a few tips on how to market and promote yourself in the information technology business. Along those lines, here are two guides that will add to your knowledge of IT and help you succeed in starting and maintaining your own online business. One is Autoresponder Reservation [http://www.adaptcode.com/adding-autoresponder-reservation-software-to-your-business-database/] and the other is Software Requirements [http://www.adaptcode.com/software-small-business-requirements/]

DevOps - Development and Operations

2019-10-22T03:12:00.001-07:00

Solution Development and Delivery

In earlier days, solutions were associated with getting the technology right. The key was technology, the solution was technology and the business expected and paid for technology. Times have changed. Well, at least for those of us taking notice. Today technology is hardly ever a significant problem. Technically, we have a less complicated world. Over the years we have come to understand that technology is basically an arrangement of Processing, Memory, Networking and Storage. We have mastered utilization by using virtualization. We understand horizontal scaling is 'better' than vertical scaling and that we can deliver the PMNS more easily in converged and hyperconverged products that also contain the software solution. We have automated many of the key activities to enable reduction in time and costs.

The Cloud paradigm came along and made life easier by helping us to become Service Brokers rather than server admins or network engineers. To the customer we are now Service Brokers; well, we should be. We should be experiencing shorter procurement cycles given that applications and services (the solutions) are delivered from a Service Catalog. Although this can be true in the Public Cloud deployment model and the Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery model, when it comes to Private Cloud procurement we still seem to be stuck in the past and suffer unnecessary delays. Even as Public Cloud services are taken up by more and more businesses the activity of getting the servers, applications and services 'up there' still makes for hard going. All the work that is required to design and deliver a Public Cloud hosted environment is still steeped in old-fashioned working practices.

Despite all this change and learning, solution design and implementation is still a thorny job and produces mountains of documentation (some needed, some pointless), endless Gant charts and interminable meetings trying to get the solution in place and delivered. Why is this?

Application Development and Delivery

Application developers use to live in a world of their own. To some extent that is still true. Application development companies don't usually have network engineers, technical architects and storage SMEs sitting in on the early morning scrums. Applications are developed in isolation and separate from the technical solutions that will need to be created to host, resource and support the application.

In most cases an application is developed for one of two reasons. To provide a solution for an external customer or to provide an application for the business with which it can make money. For instance, a company needs to pay salaries. To do that it needs an application that can pay the salaries, calculate tax and pension information and enter data into a database and then print a payslip all in accordance with the legal framework set out in the Revenue Services 'rules of engagement'. An application development company will take on that challenge and through a series of iterations it will deliver an application that meets all of the customer and legislative requirements. For a business that wants to make money from an application the scenario is very similar to that for an external customer. The difference is financial in that the business has to justify the cost of having developers on staff creating the application. That cost is set against a forecast of income from the eventual deployment of the application as a service for the business.

In both of the examples there are constants that can make for hard going. In the same way that technical solutions are affected by people, process and politics, so application development is affected by an isolationist practice. Why is this?

Why Is This?

Across all IT from datacenter infrastructure to applications to cloud there is one problem that affects the smooth, joined-up running of a project and that is 'silos of activity'.

The silo has long been the black mark of IT. We became so used to operating in silos that we didn't question whether such an arrangement was productive and cost effective. In fact, even now, the majority of IT organizations operate using silos. Solutioning and development in isolation.

Solution design and application development saw the arrival of Lean and Agile as a really effective way to operate and yet, silos remained. Companies operated Agile but, kept the silo way of doing things. Strange when you think about it. Agile means flexible and able to change without trauma. Silo is a 'pit' with high sides that makes change very difficult. So, in essence, Agile and silo worked together and made change difficult. Still does.

Silo

Here is a real-world example of a silo-based traditional IT environment where an application is to be developed and deployed. The process may differ slightly in some companies and the job titles may not be the same but, this has been my experience working for several large IT corporations and it is recognisable as a fairly common procedure.

The Application Developer creates an application from a concept or from a request. A Technical Services (TS) Architect is asked to create a High Level Design (HLD) for the application infrastructure. The TS Architect passes the HLD to the Project Architect to review the design. The Project Architect passes the final HLD back to the TS Architect. The TS Architect explains the design to the application developer and covers off any items that are likely to compromise the application. This is usually done in isolation from other experts. The HLD is signed off buy someone or other and the Project Architect sets about carrying out a due-diligence activity prior to creating the Low Level Design (LLD or Build Doc) for the application infrastructure. The Project Architect has to visit various Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) for Compute, Network, Storage and Disaster Recovery (DR) to find out what technologies and requirements will need to be in the LLD. Details around protocols, routing, security and firewall rules can be complex and can negatively affect the application if not carefully planned. To get this right a Business Impact Analysis expert needs to be consulted to make sure that security and compliance problems, if they exist, can be dealt with or mitigated. Most applications are deployed to virtual infrastructures which require the involvement of virtualization experts to aid provisioning and automation technologies. All in all, the Project Architect has to consult with many different silos of technology/experts. In the course of this activity the Architect has to constantly return to the application developer to check that what is being planned for the infrastructure is not going to 'damage' the application design and make the application ineffective when deployed. Finally, the Service Wrap needs to be put in place to support the application and to meet the non-functional requirements in the Service Level Agreements (SLAs). There could easily be twenty people involved in this process. I haven't included test and development as this usually waits until the end of the main process along with User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Sometimes there is a separate team that handles this part, sometimes it's carried out by Operations. Application design also includes the dependency tiers that provide the middleware and database layers. It could be that many more people will need to be involved when those services are included. What is true is that each SME is part of a silo. The project has to consult all these silos. Some are helpful, some are not and there are lots of reasons why No! can be the answer to all questions and suggested solutions.

All the silos and all the people involved make the whole project slow and costly. The analogy is the game of Snakes and Ladders.

DevOps

Although the above example is somewhat crude it is a fair assessment of what application development can be like end-to-end. Everyone in the industry knows that this is the 'normal' state of affairs and accept that it is less than perfect. DevOps has begun to appear on the scene as the answer to the traditional silo approach. DevOps attempts to remove the silos and replace them with a collaborative and inclusive activity that is the Project. Application Development and Solution Design benefit from DevOps principles.

What needs to be done to remove silos:

Change the working culture

Remove the walls between teams (and you remove the silos)

Keys:

Communication, Collaboration, Integration and Information Sharing

Easy to say and hard to do.

Most SMEs like to keep their information to themselves. Not true of all but, of many. It's part of the traditional culture that has developed over many years. Working practices have made change difficult. Management of change is one of the most challenging tasks any company can embark on. Resistance will be resilient as it is important that people give up something to gain something. Making it clear what the gains are is imperative. People will change their attitudes and behaviours but, you have to give them really good reasons to do so. I've found that running multi-discipline workshops for the SMEs has proven an effective method of encouraging information-sharing and the breaking down of those 'pit-walls'.

Explaining to the teams what DevOps is and what it is supposed to achieve is the first part of the educational process. The second is what needs to be done.

State specific, measurable objectives:

Implement an organization structure that is 'flat'. If we espouse horizontal scaling, why not horizontal organizations?

Each App-Dev or Solution-Dev is a project and the team is end-to-end across the disciplines

Implement ongoing informational exchange and reviews

Make sure that everyone signs up to DevOps and understands the paradigm

What is DevOps

Just like the Cloud paradigm it is simply another way of doing something. Like Cloud it has different definitions depending on to whom you are speaking at the time.

Wikipedia states: Because DevOps is a cultural shift and collaboration between development and operations, there is no single DevOps tool, rather a set or "toolchain" consisting of multiple tools. Generally, DevOps tools fit into one or more categories, which is reflective of the software development and delivery process.

I don't think that this is all DevOps is. The inference is that DevOps is concerned only with application development and operations. I do not believe that. I believe that DevOps is a paradigm and that like other IT 'standards' and paradigms it is relevant to all IT and not just applications. By removing the partitions between each practice in the chain and having all the key players involved from day one, as part of an inclusive and collaborative team, the cycle of application development and solution design becomes a continuous process that doesn't have to divert to consult each required expert. No-one needs to throw a document over the wall to the next crew. Each document is written within the collaboration process and this has to make the document more relevant and powerful. Imagine that the project team is always in the same room from concept to deployment and each expert is always available to comment on and add to each step of that project. How much better than the traditional method where it can take days to get an answer to a simple question, or to even find the right person to ask.

The mantra is: Develop, Test, Deploy, Monitor, Feedback and so on. This sounds application-orientated. In fact, it can apply to the development of any IT solution. Like ITIL, TOGAF and the Seven Layer Reference Model it can be applied to any and all IT activities from development right through to support services. DevOps puts us all on the same page from the start to the finish.

Don't allow your company to implement DevOps in isolation and only as a framework for application development. To do that would be to create another silo. Use it for every project and as the default culture for all your teams whether or not they are developers, engineers, architects or operations. And, finally, don't complicate it. DevOps doesn't need deep and profound definitions or long and tedious conversations about what it is and how to implement it. Just do it.

Robb has 22+ years working at senior levels in the IT industry. Leading virtualization and cloud architect for three of the big five IT vendors. Experienced across many industry sectors.

How to Choose Your First Drone

2019-10-22T02:56:00.003-07:00

In the past, the word "drone" was limited to aircraft known as remotely piloted aerial systems, which was used in situations when a manned aerial vehicle faced significant security risks. These unmanned machines were available mostly to military personnel who used them to target specific locations and capture images through real-time aerial views of a remote place.

Now people buy drones to use for entertainment purpose and fly them to capture excellent aerial images for personal use. Some businesses have also employed drones for many different purposes including security surveillance, intelligence data collection, and filming. Drones come in a number of shapes and sizes with many different features, and come in all price ranges. Before you decide on a particular drone, it is a good idea to gain some insight into all the features and specifications of various types of drones and then make an informed decision.

Points to Consider Before Buying a Drone

Although it's a piece of cake to buy anything nowadays; thanks to the internet where people leave all sorts of comments and reviews regarding a particular product, there are still a few things you should keep in mind before you decide to buy a drone. In fact, these are a few questions that you need to answer in order to buy the right thing that will prove to be useful in the long run. Of course the first and most important question is how much money you're willing to spend. And the answer to this question depends on your purpose of buying a drone.

So, let's consider some key points before going drone shopping.

Types of Drones Available for Sale

The drones available to general public are further classified into three types:

· Ready-to-fly

· Bind-and-fly; and

· Almost-ready-to-fly

The first type, ready-to-fly is the most common type and are available in sizes from very small to large. These vary in price ranging from $50 to $3,000 depending on their size and specifications. The best ones in this category are designed like a quadcopter with support for landing. They also come with excellent features like;

1. 12 MP camera

2. Live HD video streaming

3. Flight simulator for mastering the art of flying

4. Advanced vision positioning

5. Efficient mobile app for greater control and more advanced options

When you decide to go for a drone for taking photos and recording or streaming videos, you need to answer questions like how important is the quality of the data. In short, when going for a ready-to-fly quadcopter, consider the size of the drone, the quality and performance of camcorder, the speed of the machine, and its overall design and price.

Ready-to-fly drones are designed for beginners and hobbyists and it is only required to plug in the batteries and attach the propellers. These machines are therefore quite easy to use and are meant for kids and adults alike. Bind-and-fly quadcopters are meant for more advanced drone users who already have lots of experience in flying these types of machines and who also know how to assemble the parts. As the name implies, you will need to bind the machine to the controller before it can take off.

Features to Look For

In addition to size and overall design, there are many features that you might be interested in. These are explained below:

· Wireless connectivity: The latest drones come equipped with wireless connectivity options including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for connecting to devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops. This feature gives you much control over the data you collect as you can easily transfer it to your computer for manipulation.

· GPS: If a drone comes with GPS or Global Positioning System, it is able to return to its home place if lost. It also allows the user to track their machine and feed a route that the drone must follow. This is again a powerful feature that greatly improves the performance of an unmanned aerial vehicle.

· Camera: A built-in camera is one of the features that most drone users are looking for. Once you experience the power of an aerial camera, you won't want to go back to a plain old drone that offers nothing but flight.

· Video streaming: More advanced users also want live video streaming to see where their drone goes. You can stream video to a computer or smartphone depending on your requirements.

· Power: More powerful machines are able to give you extra battery life for longer flights and high propeller speed. These features come in handy when you have to fly drones on a regular basis and don't want to compromise on its speed or waste time constantly charging the battery.

So, you see there are many different types of drones available out there depending not only on their size and overall functionality but also on the features they come with. You may like a drone looking at its beautiful design but it may not fulfill all your requirements or might exceed your budget. It's important to do your homework before spending money on such a powerful machine.

Drones are definitely cool when it comes to unlimited fun and entertainment. They can give you hours of enjoyment and many useful outcomes as well if you decide to take photos, record videos or perform real-time data analysis with the help of these small yet powerful flying machines. However, do consider the above-mentioned points when you decide to buy yourself a drone so that you can spend your money wisely and also avoid problems later on.

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A Beginner's Guide to Learning How to Fly A Drone

2019-10-22T02:56:00.001-07:00

Drones are the hottest topic going around the tech world these days and everyone is trying to get their hands on one of them. Whether you are a professional photographer who wants to take your business up a notch or you are a hobbyist looking for some, it's important that you learn how to fly a drone the right way. Although they are quite small in size it isn't easy to fly these aerial vehicles. This article focuses on the key things to know when flying your drone.

Obstacles in Flying Drones

There are several hindrances you may encounter when learning how to fly a drone. They include:

· The drone does not stay stable in air.

· The drone does not follow commands.

· The drone's movements are jerky.

These are just a few of the problems that the new fliers experience when learning how to fly a drone. In order to get the hang of flying a UAV, you must make sure that you know everything about its working principle.

Terminologies Involved in Flying Drones

You may have read the user manual that comes with your drone but most of the time this isn't enough. You will need to learn and understand a few terminologies if you want to learn to fly your drone like an expert.

There are a few general terms that you should be aware of when learning how to fly a drone. These include:

· Line of site: This is the direct visualization of your drone while you are flying it.

· FPV or first person view: You as a pilot can see your drone through the camera.

Parts of Drones

When learning how to fly a drone, there are key parts of the drone that you need to be familiar with such as:

· Transmitter or remote control: This is the main controlling unit that lets you fly and control the drone.

· Propellers: These are four in number and help the drone in taking off from the ground as well as maintaining a horizontal stable position.

· Camera: This is not present in all the drones and is optional but helps in keeping the pilot informed about the surroundings of the drone.

· The frame: The frame connects all the parts and keeps them in position. The frame comes in two arrangements such as X or +

· The motors: There are four motors in a drone and that is why it is also known as quadcopter. Each propeller is powered by a single motor. The voltage of the motor will determine the speed or rotation of the propeller.

· Electronic speed control: The wires that connect the battery with the motor are known as ECS.

· Flight control board: This is the master control and regulates the accelerometer as well as the gyrometer directing the speed of the motor.

· Battery and charger: This is important as it provides life to the drone to take flights.

Controls of the Drone

When learning how to fly a drone, it is very important that you understand the following controls:

· Roll: This is used to roll the drone right or left generally using the right stick on the remote control

· Pitch: This is the tilting of drone and is carried out by pushing the right stick forward or backward.

· Yaw: This is the rotation of drone in right or left direction by moving the left key towards left or right. This helps in changing the direction of your drone.

· Throttle: If you want your drone to higher or lower than its present position the use the left key to engage and disengage it by pushing the key forward and backward respectively.

· Trim: This is adjusting the above mentioned features in case you want to adjust the balance of the device and can be done with the help of the buttons on remote control.

· Rudder: Controlling yaw is the main function of rudder which is also the left stick

· Aileron: Same as right stick

· Elevator: Same as right stick moving forward and backward.

Modes of Drone Flying

When learning how to fly a drone, you should be familiar with the modes in which your drone can fly. These include:

· Manual: you can adjust all the positions of the drone manually. You need to operate it in and out of balance.

· Auto level or altitude: in this mode the leveling of the drone is done by itself when the stick is released to its neutral position.

· GPS hold: in this mode the quadcopter will come back to its original position when the stick is released.

Mastering the Controls

When learning how to fly a drone you should master the controls of the drone before you take on responsibilities outside of flying for recreational purposes. Similar to driving, in the beginning it may appear to be a very difficult job but as you get used to it, you will not even think before making any move.

The main thing to keep in mind is that you need to push the stick gently for smoother movements of the drone. You must start by moving the drone slightly in each direction. Knowing the controls and how they work is the key to flying this device smoothly and moreover it is the dexterity and quick response time that will help you fly your drone like an expert.

Operating the Remote Control

The remote control, which is also known as the transmitter, is the only thing that will let you control your drone and fly it in the way you want it to. The name transmitter is an apt one because it transmits signals to the drone as soon as you move the stick or press the buttons.

You can very easily fly your drone using the stick and the button on the remote control. However, before you try to make a full fledged flight you must first trim and adjust the controls so that the drone remains in balance. When for the first time, you try to lift the drone using your remote control you will notice that the drone tilts in one direction and also moves in that direction. This is one of the reasons you find it very difficult to fly this device initially. This happens because the balance is not right and you need to adjust the pitch roll, yaw and throttle accordingly so that while lifting up the drone maintains a horizontal position parallel to the ground.

In conclusion, learning how to fly a drone can be a lot of fun and can earn you some extra cash, but there are processes and maneuvers you must master before you risk crashing your drone, or worse, causing bodily harm.

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Oh, The Possibilities - When the IoT Grows Up

2019-10-22T02:55:00.000-07:00

The Internet of Things is something like a gangly, acne-covered adolescent with knobby knees and a clumsy gait. We can see the bright eyes, the long legs and strong hands, and we know it is chock full of "potential", but it sure is awkward right now.

Notwithstanding all of this awkwardness, however, this clumsy youngster has already made a tremendous difference in the world. The very thought of its possibilities has sent a tremor to the core of our civilization, touching every aspect of our material and intellectual lives. Just consider the fact that the sentence you just read - as blustery and over-the-top as it may seem - is not even inaccurate. Sure, a person can still live a simple life without all of the trappings of modern technology or communication media (I assume?), living only from sustenance won by his or her bare hands directly from the natural world, never interacting with another living soul. I suppose this is possible, and maybe this person could make a strong case that his/her life remains untouched in any way by the Internet of Things. This person, however, will not be reading this and need not be a part of the conversation.

So, to reiterate: the Internet of Things - or at least the thought of it - is influencing every component of our world today. This is because it is not simply an evolution of technology; it the sort of technological/philosophical movement that transforms civilizations. On the order of agriculture, kingship, or industrialization.

Yes, it is that significant.

That is to say, the technological/ philosophical movement started by the Internet itself is that significant. After all, the words, images, videos, and applications that inhabit the regular old Internet are themselves 'things'. The concept behind what we call the Internet of Things is simply the dawning of the realization that the Internet is not just about people communicating with people; it's about everything communicating with everything.

Consider what we already see happening to:

Cities

In Oskarshamm, Sweden smart building technology has helped reduce the city's power consumption by 350 MWh, reducing their carbon footprint by 80 tons of CO2. Houston, Texas has used new sensing technology to retrofit 40 municipal buildings for energy efficiency, delivering $3 million in yearly energy and water savings.

Entire cities are changing the way they govern their populations, the way they distribute resources, the way they police themselves. Cities are changing the way they transport goods and people, the way they measure and control their impact on their environments. Everything that defines what a city is and does is being transformed by not just new technologies, but the new ideas inspired the Internet of Things.

Agriculture

One of the foundational elements of civilization, a technological/philosophical movement that predates history itself, is being profoundly influenced by the Internet of Things. Farmers large and small are using networked data to maximize the already-known benefits of established practices (knowing what types of crops to plant when, knowing when and how much to water, etc.). Farmers have also had success safely and naturally controlling pests through the intelligent release of pheromones. Decreased resource consumption and increased yield are very tangible benefits that have the potential to solve some very serious problems related to food shortages and ever-increasing populations, while simultaneously reducing the environmental impact of farming and bringing the family-owned farm back into the global marketplace.

Industry

This is the realm of autonomous factories and self-healing machines. Through the convergent development of advanced computing power, sophisticated network technology, sensors, robotics, and analytic techniques, we are seeing the integration of industrial systems both vertically and horizontally. Machines to Machine communication, predictive maintenance, and continuous improvement programs are completely reinventing manufacturing.

Companies like Honda and ABB are using IoT technology to consolidate and organize their manufacturing and maintenance operations through systems of real-time communication and process automation. Companies are using advanced analytics to discover unknown opportunities for improved efficiency. Consider how Kennametal reduced their production cycle time by as much as %40 by simple modifications to their processes like changing the angle of a cut in a particular machining operation.

Real-time consumer data is helping companies be more responsive to the needs and expectations of their customers, and eliminating gaps between supply and demand. Predictive analysis is helping to reduce maintenance costs and incrementally improve production processes through systems of continual improvement. A unique quality of the impact the Internet of Things is having on Industry is its benefits extend beyond the marketplace. Whereas previously profit increases were sought by increasing the scale or speed of production, the new paradigm focuses on increasing efficiency, reducing resource consumption and eliminating waste. The new industrial landscape of smart, connected devices will incidentally lead to a cleaner, safer, more sustainable planet, which leads to the next item...

Environment

It is certainly possible to see new technologies as a double-edged sword in this arena. Historically, what humankind has deemed to be good for itself has quite often seemed to be detrimental to our environment. As the Internet of Things makes it easier for us feed and accommodate larger populations, and populations continue to grow, it is not difficult to see how this could negatively impact the environment. An interesting quality of the philosophical thrust behind most Internet of Things initiatives, though, is the tendency toward reduction and conservation. Use fewer resources. Create less waste. Do as much as possible with what is available to us. In a way that may be unprecedented, this worldwide technological evolution may actually improve our relationship with the natural world.

Yes, the Internet of Things is a gangly, awkward, stumbling bunch of possibilities right now, but it is already changing our world. And while we may not have reached that tipping point yet - the point where what is possible becomes what is necessary, and a movement truly transforms our civilization - I think most of us can feel the axis tilting.

There will inevitably come a time when what is happening becomes what has happened, and we will only recognize the revolutionary quality of it when we look back at it in retrospect. In the case of the Internet of Things, I think we have reason to be optimistic.

Today's most innovative IoT solutions are powered by companies like B-Scada and the proprietary software platform

4 Ways Of Taking Care Of Your USB Flash Drive

2019-10-22T02:54:00.002-07:00

If you have a USB flash drive you need to take good care of it to prevent loss of data and damage of your appliance. To help you out, here are tips on how to take good care of your USB drive:

Protect it from moisture, cold and heat

Just like other mechanical devices, flash drives don't respond well when submerged in water or exposed to extreme temperatures. It's common for people to put drives in the pockets of their pants and shirts. While this provides convenience, the heat from your body can create moisture which might condense in the drive thus causing corrosion and damage to the electronic components located inside.

In addition to avoiding putting the devices in your pocket you should also avoid placing them in areas where they can get spilled on. Also avoid placing them in areas where they can be exposed to extreme temperatures such as near fire.

Protect the USB connector

The USB connector is the part that enters the computer so that you can access your files. Dust and dirt can get into the connector thus causing short circuit that would damage the electronic components when you connect the USB to power. To avoid this you should keep the connector covered when not plugged into the computer. The best way of doing this is capping it. There are some drives that have a feature that makes it possible for you to extend the connector into the drive itself.

Watch how you remove it from the computer

If you are like most other people, once you are through with your work you yank out the USB drive from the computer. While doing this is fast, it can result to damage of the USB connector and the port of your computer. The best way of going about it is always going to the system tray icon "Safely Remove Hardware" and authorize the computer to remove the drive. When you use this process you ensure that you shut down communication between your computer and USB drive; therefore, you avoid damage.

Protect it from falls

To protect the drive and data inside, ensure that the drive doesn't smash against the ground or slip through cracks. The best way of protecting your drive is keeping it inside a cover or enchaining it with a key-ring.

Conclusion

These are tips on how to maintain your USB flash drive so that it lasts for a long time. Regardless of how well you maintain your flash, always have a backup of the important files in your computer.

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Make Your PowerPoint Presentation Perfect by Controlling It Remotely

2019-10-22T02:53:00.000-07:00

Do you often give PowerPoint presentations? Does it bother you to go to the computer or laptop and use it to change a slide or play a video? Does it make you feel you're losing the control of your presentation? Well, there is a solution.

Having full control of your presentation can be very productive and it will affect your presentation in a positive way. It's good for your confidence too.

One of the important factors of a presentation is what is displayed on the screen. Mostly, it is a PowerPoint file, consisting of some slides made of texts, pictures and videos. So, if you want to give your PowerPoint presentation while you are standing and explaining what is on the screen, returning to the computer or laptop for changing the slide can seem a little bit awkward and it can have a negative effect on your confidence. The solution for this problem is very simple. You just have to control it remotely. Do you want to know how? Using your smartphone.

Thanks to technology, smartphones have brought a solution for a lot of our problems. You can use your smartphone to control your PowerPoint presentation with your smartphone with a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection to the source device. You can change the slides and advance, jump to a specific slide and skip the slides in between and use a virtual laser pointer right from your Android device...

After you install a Presentation Remote App on your Android device, you will have full control of your presentation from your phone, and you are just a few steps away from a perfect speech.

Office Remote which is an app developed by Microsoft, turns your phone into a smart remote that interacts with Microsoft Office on your PC. The app lets you control Word, Excel, and PowerPoint from across the room, so you can walk around freely during presentations.Yet, Presentation Link is another app for this purpose, developed by ASUS.

The main advantage of Presentation Link over the Office Remote app is the option to choose Wi-Fi connection, and unlike the Microsoft app, the ASUS Hit Team app is not limited to just Bluetooth. But on the other side, the Microsoft app supports PowerPoint, Excel and Word applications and your Android device can function as a remote app for all these productivity services.

So, you can give a perfect speech. You just need to learn how to use these apps.

Appointment Scheduling Software - The Benefits And Choosing The Best

2019-10-22T02:52:00.000-07:00

Appointment scheduling software helps in managing appointments. This is very important for businesses, including those that are in the service industry because customers and clients are always looking for convenience and do not like waiting in line. With proper appointment scheduling, you are able to see customers and attend to their needs without wasting their time and having large numbers waiting to be served giving you a hard time managing everyone easily.

Scheduling software makes it possible for the clients to book appointments online from wherever they are. Some of the platforms are very good in that they make it possible for you as a business to process prepayments and deposits online. With such an important tool, you are able to handle and serve customers satisfactorily and everyone is happy at the end of the day. With such software, you do not need to get a person to answer calls and schedule appointments.

Some of the businesses that can benefit most from the appointment scheduling software include gyms, medical offices, spas and salons. Professional consultants and photographers will also find such a system helpful in tracking appointments.

The benefits

· Manages wait lists so there is better customer handling

· Offers customers flexibility of booking appointments online without a need to call or visit for the same

· Sends automated mobile notifications to serve as reminders for the scheduled appointment

· Supports online payments offering lots of convenience for business and customers

· Integrates calendars and important business systems that matter

· Reduces costs because no person will be needed to attend to calls and schedule the appointments

· Saves time for both business and the customers

· Customers can easily schedule appointments at any given time; the system remains accessible round the clock

Getting the best

With so many benefits, you definitely will want to consider appointment software. To have the best experience as a business and to give the best to your customers too, there are things you must consider in the system.

Ease of use - Software you choose should be user friendly. Even a customer with no computer skills should have an easy time booking the appointment using the system. Try it out before settling for it.

Customization - Is it possible for you to customize the system? A system that gives you this ability is best because then you can make it work in the manner you want. You should be able to change layout to meet your brand, integrate it with business and also control access. The more control you have, the better the system will be.

Size and price - Scheduling appointment software that grows with business is most beneficial. You should be able to only pay for the size you need for the business, then you can upgrade as the demand for more space and functionalities grows.

Date security - The system should have measures to ensure that client data remains secure to meet professional standards of the industry you are in. You also deserve to get technical support at any given time for the system that you settle for in the end.

When you have an appointment scheduling software, customer handling is made easy and convenient. Choose a system that meets with every business need you have to get best value.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Industrial Automation

2019-10-22T02:51:00.002-07:00

To most people, Artificial Intelligence (AI) probably means sci-fi movies with robots and computers performing inconceivable human tasks. While this is partly true, what AI truly brings to the table is enabling machines to carry out intelligent tasks. As the challenges faced by global decision makers skyrocket, there is an urgent need to propel businesses and societies forward using the most modern technology. With the world changing at an unprecedented speed, businesses need to revamp and restructure how machines and humans work. And AI is helping meet those goals. According to Forrester, Cognitive technologies such as robots, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and automation will replace 7% of US jobs by 2025.

The Changing Dynamics

The manufacturing sector is characterized by an environment full of uncertainties and evolving dynamics. With ever growing market volatility, manufacturers need to constantly innovate, adapt and respond to changes in the quickest time, without hampering the quality of products, and at the least possible cost. The efficiency of a manufacturing system closely depends on how well shop floor processes respond to changes. Critical shop floor functions such as production scheduling and maintenance have to be extremely responsiveness, and their integration is what will result in an optimal and robust decision making environment.

AI in Manufacturing

AI finds application in a host of industries including gaming, banking, retail, commercial, and government, and is slowly becoming pervasive in the manufacturing sector, facilitating the automation of industries. AI-driven machines are paving an easier path to the future by providing a host of benefits - offering new opportunities, improving production efficiencies, and bringing machine interaction closer to human interaction. The Fourth Industrial Revolution is being driven by the automation of knowledge-based work; by creating new ways to automate tasks, we can restructure the way humans and machines live and interact, to create a better, stronger digital economy.

AI helps overcome many inherent challenges that have been plaguing the industry: from scarcity of expertise, to decision complexity, integration issues, and information overload. Adopting AI on the shop floor enables businesses to completely transform their processes. Let's look at what AI is helping the manufacturing sector to achieve:

• Process Automation: The use of AI and robots is particularly appealing in industrial manufacturing as they revolutionize mass-production. Robots are capable of doing repetitive tasks, streamlining the production model, increasing capacity, building automation solutions eliminating human error and delivering higher levels of quality assurance.

• Round-the-clock Production: While humans are forced to work in 3 shifts to ensure continuous production, robots can enable a nonstop, 24/7 production line. Businesses can augment their production capabilities and meet the growing demand of customers worldwide.

• Safer Working Conditions: With several mishaps happening on the shop floor, a shift towards AI means fewer people are have to carry out dangerous and overly laborious work. As robots replace humans and perform mundane and risky tasks, the number of workplace casualties will plummet all across.

• New Opportunities for Humans: As AI takes over the shopfloor and automates boring and mundane human tasks, workers will get to focus on complex and innovative tasks. While AI takes care of menial labour, humans can focus on driving innovation and steering their business to newer heights.

• Reduced Operating Expenditure: Although bringing AI onto the shopfloor would require a massive capital investment, the ROI is substantially higher. As intelligent machines start taking care of day-to-day-activities, businesses can enjoy significantly lower overhead.

Benefits

AI and industrial automation have progressed considerably in recent years. Development in machine learning techniques, advances in sensors and the growth of computing power have helped create a new generation of robots. AI helps enables machines to collect and extract knowledge, recognize patterns, and learn and adapt to new situations or environments through machine intelligence, learning and speech recognition. Using AI, manufacturers can:

• Make faster, data driven decisions

• Enable better production outcomes

• Improve process efficiency

• Lower operational costs

• Enable greater scalability

• And facilitate product innovation

Improving Business Outcomes

The key driver of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is the speed at which it is happening. With technology now at our fingertips, businesses (and even industries) can scale up with the blink of the eye, ultimately changing the way we live our daily lives (and in a fraction of the time). Using AI, industry leaders and technology pioneers can create the right platforms and solutions, ultimately improving business outcomes and driving success in today's ever-growing digital economy.

A graduate in technology, Toya Peterson is an avid blogger who is always interested in the recent fads and trends related to wearables, IoT and embedded technologies. A mother of two, she aspires to be a photo-blogger soon as she is honing up her skills in photography. In her leisure time, she loves to go hiking with her friends.

Using Blockchain to Enable Faster Cross Border Remittance

2019-10-22T02:49:00.000-07:00

Fintech as a whole is rapidly adopting potential applications of the blockchain across the board and many players in the space seem keen to test out what efficiencies can be extracted out of this emerging technology in the fastest and most disruptive way possible. It's clear that there is much room for growth in the space of remittances using distributed ledger technology.

Existing Remittance Options Take Too Long

Currently, anyone who banks with major institutions knows what's involved, at least on the user end, with remitting money overseas. First off, it takes a lot of time. When you transfer funds between SWIFT affiliated banks, some institutions take can take up to five days or more. In the case of needing an instant solution to take the place of this, blockchain technology is a useful one. Cryptocurrencies which are already proven on blockchain technology can transfer funds with a state of security within minutes.

Remitting Funds Cross-Border Is Expensive

The second problem with cross-border remittance is that the cost can be restrictive. Blockchain remittances are cheaper and more secure for both financial bodies and end users due to the simple yet extraordinary networking technology which cuts out time and fees. For people within developed nations who send money to their families overseas, the fees with traditional banks can tumble up to hundreds of dollars, often being charged both to send and receive funds. For those in developing countries, the need for low-cost remittances is even greater. In countries such as the Nigeria and the Philippines, remittances form a huge fraction of their GDP, around 4% and 10% respectively. Every dollar spent on the fees associated with sending the money is likely better used elsewhere.

Opening Up Options To Those Who Need Them

Lastly, the access to traditional banking solutions within developing nations can be a major issue for people to overcome in their attempts to transfer money. Even if banks systems are available, not everyone has access to them. Having a more widely spread solution based on blockchain technology takes the nearly exclusive power that mega-banks have over cross-border remittances and gives more opportunities to people who need them.

Blockchain technology gives us the power to change and radically improve on efficiencies in many tried and true industries that we just take for granted as being big, slow, complex, but ultimately reliable. When we add in forefront industry expertise with blockchain technology, amazing new innovations are possible that will help people all over the world with not only revolutionary new features and abilities, but more reliability and transparency in the process.

Internet of Things: More Than Just Protected Plumbing

2019-10-22T02:46:00.001-07:00

The man looking over the water gauges couldn't believe what he was seeing...

Just down the road, a few miles from his little control room, the giant tank holding Robinson Township's municipal water supply was draining down... fast.

He looked at the clock. Midnight. The thermometer registered an icy 20 degrees. Somewhere out there, among the Pittsburgh suburbs' 15 square miles of snow-covered neighborhoods and businesses, a water main was losing more than 3,000 gallons of water a minute.

He checked his dials again and did some quick calculations. The township's storage tank held 1 million gallons of water. At this rate, all of it would be gone before dawn.

But exactly where was the water leaking? Where was the pipe break?

He had no idea.

The answer came five hours later.

A ruptured water main in the town's commercial district drained off the majority of the township's supply and left six inches of standing water on the floor of a neighboring Toys "R" Us (not to mention - with little available water for the day, it forced schools to close).

You read about this stuff all the time. For cities around the country, water main breaks are a fact of life.

Or are they?

This is where one of the investing mega trends - the Internet of Things (IoT) - has a rising impact.

IoT to the Rescue

What if you could place sensors in underground water mains, fire hydrants and elsewhere within a piping system, each transmitting bits of data to the town water department?

Put dozens or hundreds of those sensors together, spitting out minute-to-minute information on flow rates and water pressure, and the location of a million-gallon water main break in the middle of the night is no longer such a mystery.

Most breaks, however, aren't so dramatic or obvious.

Think of a pinhole leak in an underground water main. It might seep a comparatively small amount of water - dozens or a few hundreds of gallons a day. But add up all those leaks in a network of pipes hundreds of miles long, and you're talking about a lot of wasted H2O.

For instance, Philadelphia's water department pumps 250 million gallons of water through its municipal system each day. Experts say about a quarter of the water never actually reaches the businesses and residences on the other end of its pipes. That's 60 million gallons of water lost today. And tomorrow. And the day after that.

Until recently, good luck trying to find even a small portion of those leaks. It's like trying to find a needle in a stack of needles.

Unless you have IoT.

Powering New Efficiencies

You can imagine how precious water is in a place such as Las Vegas. Well, the region's water district recently installed Internet-connected sensors to the buried water mains running right down the center of the Las Vegas Strip.

The devices monitor the physical integrity of the pipe walls on a real-time basis. Such efforts have helped the water district identify more than 1,600 leaks in its system and saved nearly 300 million gallons of water.

That's just one water system. Keep in mind, the United States has more than 150,000 city, county and regional water authorities. That's a lot of water saved (and a lot of money too).

The Internet of Things is about more than just detecting leaks in water mains, of course. But it demonstrates in just one way the growing use of the IoT and why it's such an investable mega trend.

A veteran investor and longtime financial journalist, JL Yastine is a contributor to Sovereign Investor Daily. He also serves as editorial director, focusing on creation and development of new products and editorial resources that will help the Society's members "be Sovereign." Read more at The Sovereign Investor Daily.

5 Common Problems With Fiber Optic Cables

2019-10-22T02:35:00.004-07:00

Most fiber optic cables are designed professionally and are meant to work effectively for a long time. While this is the case it doesn't mean that the units don't develop problems. Just like any other units, the cables develop problems and it's up to you to identify and fix them. To help you out here are some of the most common fiber optic fiber problems:

External damage

Common external damages are splits and scratches on the units. The units are highly sensitive; therefore, even the most minor damages have the ability to prevent effective transfer of signals. If you have noticed some defects on your units you should replace them as early as possible.

The optic cable is too long

Optic fibers come in different sizes and lengths and it's up to you to choose the one that is ideal for your application. In some cases, people install units that are too long than needed. A cable that is too long is at the risk of winding around itself. A long unit is also at the risk of bending or twisting. These actions often result in permanent damage to the optic fibers and its components. To avoid installing the wrong size of cable you should take your time to use a measuring tape and measure the distance that you are looking to cover.

Improperly installed connectors

Connectors join two or more cables and play a vital role in determining the effectiveness of the optic cables. It's common for some contractors to improperly install the cables resulting to cable problems. To fix the problems you should hire an experienced contractor to install the cables properly.

Stretching

It's a mistake to have optic cables that are too long. It's also a mistake to have cables that are too short as they are prone to stretching. As mentioned, the cables are very sensitive and even a minor damage can prevent the cables from working properly. To prevent the cables from stretching you should ensure that you install them at the right place. You should also avoid pulling the cable jacket during installation. The best way of going about it is using grips at the connectors.

Old age

Just like anything else under the sun fiber optic cables get old. Old cables are not only ineffective in their working, they also tend to develop problems every now and then. When your cables are old, the best way of fixing them is replacing them.

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The Power of 'Power Over Ethernet'!

2019-10-22T02:35:00.001-07:00

Just a thought about the perils that your business or home might have to face when you are not there, frustrates you. At the same moment, another thought that crosses your mind is - the thought of being present at all the places that you care for. Am I right?

Well, the good news is that the modern day technological advancements let you do that! All you need to do is consider installing a security camera with 'remote-viewing' feature, which you might have been ignoring up till now.

These days, security cameras come with enhanced features to deliver outstanding protection that you truly deserve. The best choice among the ambit, in my opinion, is PoE based IP security cameras. All thanks to the exceptional advantages that these surveillance cameras extend, more people have started relying on IP security cameras. Their innumerable benefits such as high definition, lower installation cost and easy use, have allowed IP surveillance cameras to take over the traditional analog cameras. The added PoE feature supports plug-and-play setup. PoE is also known to provide extra security without any extra expenses.

Most of the people don't have an exact idea about the term PoE. In this post, we will throw some light on this very term and its advantages!

What is PoE?

Whenever this term is referred to, a bit of confusion comes along with it. In most simplified form, PoE refers to an advanced technology that allows network cables to carry electrical power. Generally, two connections are required to install a digital security camera -a network connection and a power connection. But a PoE enabled security camera requires only one connection and that is network connection.

Advantages that come along!

This amazing technology has contributed towards the advancements of day to day security, to a large extent. Here are some of the advantages that PoE IP security systems are bundled with:

Saves time and cost: PoE cuts down on the expenses of electrical power cabling by minimizing the number of wires that are required to develop a network. This also results into reduction of hassles that goes into traditional wiring to a great extent. Even you might not have to call for an electrician, when it comes to the installing an IP network camera.

In crux, PoE saves a good share of your money and efforts!

Flexibility: PoE sheds away the constraints of AC power outlet as there is no need to tether PoE security cameras to an electric outlet. This feature attaches a lot of flexibility to these security cameras because now, they can be located where ever they are required the most. And one doesn't need to worry about the availability of power supply too.

Safety: PoE is a very safe option. It is intelligently designed to tackle the overload. Also, it has the capabilities to protect the network equipment from things like under powering and incorrect installation.

Reliability: PoE is widely deployed in homes and businesses for rendering higher protection. They are capable of providing backup power also.

Simultaneous monitoring: Thanks to PoE IP systems, it has become painless to monitor various screens through a common browser. A single, centrally managed UPS (uninterrupted power supply), can help to manage your building throughout.

Temporary Deployment: PoE IP security cameras become an excellent choice when you need to set up a temporary deployment. These are ideal for construction sites, mobile classrooms, or mobile offices.

There is no wonder that PoE has changed the security for better. It not only provides augmented reliability but enhanced levels of security as well. To put down in few words, this simple technology has revolutionized the complete security industry.

Lee Mark loves to do things the right way! He has been into home security concepts for almost 8 years and now, he has started penning down about security systems and gadgets. He has extensively researched each and every aspect of surveillance cameras that are available on the shelf. Revo, being his favorite brand, gains on in his articles and blogs. Besides writing, he loves travelling and has traveled extensively before settling down in New York.

5 Technological Advancements That Will Shape The Future

2019-10-22T02:34:00.001-07:00

The technology of today is incredibly impressive. Nowadays, we can retrieve any information we want and can communicate with anyone in any part of the world with a few taps or clicks of the mouse. And all this is possible with a device that can fit in your pocket. Below are 5 technological advancements that will dominate the future. Read on to find out more.

1. IoT

You may have heard about the Internet-of-Things or IoT. This technology makes it possible to have connected homes. But why is it that we don't see connected homes in the here and now? Well, the basic problem is that there is a lot of competition, but not enough collaboration. In other words, you can find a lot of apps and appliances on the market, but very few solutions to connect these things together for seamless user experience. Hopefully, we will witness big advancements in the near future.

2. VR and AR

As far as VR and AR are concerned, you have already seen some great steps. After the release of Oculus Rift, tons of VR games and apps were launched. One big game is Pokemon Go, which is a big name on the list of VR games. It was downloaded for more than 100 million times. As a matter of fact, the market is all set for the VR and AR stuff. Hopefully, things will take off in the next few years.

3. Machine Learning

Machine learning has also become advanced. As a matter of fact, it has helped enhance the search engine algorithm of Google. But only a few apps have taken advantage of this technology. However, the technology is expected to spread across the board and it will dominate all consumer applications. For instance, it will offer better products in the search results so you can find the right one.

4. Automation

Today, marketers will be happy to know that the automation will make it easier for them to improve their production processes. Now, the automation will allow them to get those tasks done that were only done by humans previously. In the next few years, robots will get advanced and they will perform complex tasks.

Automation will make some jobs disappear while creating new ones. When machine learning is combined with automation, you will see things getting better before long.

5. Big Data

For the past couple of years, big data has been a topic of debate. The idea is that the huge amount of data that we can use today can help you plan more powerful marketing campaigns and medical treatments. But the biggest strength of the big data is that it's also a big weakness.

So, these are 5 big technology advancements of today that will shape the future. Just a few decades back, we had the first mobile phone. Nowadays, that mobile phone has turned into a computer that allows us to do almost any task that you can do on a desktop computer or laptop. Let's see what the technology will bring for us down the road.