Future Technology in Today’s Workplace

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It’s fun to fantasize about the future of business, but what kind of technology can we realistically expect to make a difference in the way ordinary businesses function? Today, we hope to answer this question by examining three emerging technologies we think might make a splash in the business environment moving forward. 

Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence promises to be a major game-changer for businesses moving forward. Still, AI is not the most far-along technology out there, but as more businesses use it, the possibilities could expand. The idea here is that smarter technology will use machine learning to continue to learn and grow, leading businesses to focus more on operations and support. Still, despite many IT professionals cautioning users against its implementation, AI is not going anywhere; it’s here to stay, but it takes a certain implementation to bring about enough ROI to make it worthwhile. 

There are AI-fueled applications out there that have helped businesses overcome their operational inefficiencies, but the fact of the matter is that these applications have not yielded a significant return on investment––at least, not one comparable to the ones that smaller businesses need to justify such an investment. AI requires that the system be configured appropriately so as to increase value, and that value does not come cheap. Furthermore, AI systems also bring into question infrastructure and governance, both of which must be considered to adequately implement AI. 

The verdict: AI can provide significant growth potential, but it requires considerable investment to make it happen, and you must first determine how and where it fits into your business model before committing to it. Some applications you might consider implementing are a ChatBot software to help with customer support or cybersecurity tools that respond to the current threat landscape. 

Internet of Things 

Smart devices and Internet of Things devices are technologies that can be put to great use by small businesses. They can be used to hodgepodge together systems to improve efficiency and reduce costs, and the neat thing is that there are solutions out there that fit into just about any business model. Whether it’s a barcode scanner or a smart lock, businesses can use IoT devices for a variety of reasons and purposes. Plus, these devices can also collect data that can be used for assessment of operations!  

The IoT is expected to grow to 50 billion connected devices by 2025, so you can bet that the applications for these devices will only grow in scope and scale over time. While the connectedness is one of these devices’ greatest strengths, it’s also one of their greatest weaknesses, as they are known for having subpar data security and for sharing data a little too freely. You’ll want to invest in security if you want to use the IoT to your advantage. Thankfully, you can just give AE Technology a call for any of your security needs! 

Cloud Computing 

We know you’re probably sick to death of hearing about how the cloud can be transformative for your business, but it really is that important. Let us explain. The cloud gives your business the ability to fulfill just about any task in computing without investing massive sums of capital into your infrastructure. It can save you from purchasing application licenses, too. All it takes is paying a monthly fee to manage and maintain your cloud platform. 

While this is a technology that is actively being used, cloud computing is so dynamic that the ways businesses can utilize it are growing by the day. Plus, it is becoming increasingly more cost-effective to use the cloud for these purposes. We recommend that you monitor your cloud usage so that you don’t accidentally wind up over-utilizing (or underutilizing) your cloud resources. 

If you want some help with bringing your technology infrastructure into the future, AE Technology can help. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006. 

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Cloud Platforms are Deteriorating the Need for Onsite Computing

a man is standing in front of a cloud with circuit boards on it

Cloud computing has been a major topic of discussion in the business world, but many IT professionals have been skeptical of the practice over the years due to security concerns and issues with management. However, technology advancements have allowed businesses to implement cloud computing in previously unforeseen ways, leading to more convenient, flexible, and affordable solutions as a whole. 

Why is Cloud Computing is So Valuable 

You likely use the cloud for certain resources within your infrastructure, many of which are perhaps hardware-related, and it’s an incredibly helpful solution in comparison to renewing your entire in-house infrastructure on the regular. Cloud computing is valuable in that it can help you cut costs associated with running enterprise-level applications and hardware systems, essentially distilling these costs into a per-month or per-GB offering. It’s a great way to streamline your computing strategy. 

 

Many of the resources you utilize on your computing infrastructure can be accessed through the cloud, so it’s effective for setting up your business just the way you want it. You can cut costs while implementing the resources you need to thrive. Furthermore, cloud-based tools give you enhanced flexibility and the ability to implement platforms that you might not otherwise consider, as well as allowing you to scale solutions to meet your business’ demands. All you need is an Internet connection to make sure that your employees have access to the tools they need to succeed. 

However, there are some drawbacks to cloud computing. 

When It Makes Sense to Stay In-House 

On-site computing is the traditional way of doing things for business. You implement server units that host your application and data, and they essentially create a central hub for your business’ technological resources. On-site computing is not that rare for many businesses that have been around the block a time or two. These businesses need uninterrupted access to their resources, and even though cloud computing uptime has increased dramatically over the years, downtime does still exist. 

 

Security is also a factor that must be considered with cloud resources. On-site computing gives your business greater control over access, network traffic, and so much more than your typical public cloud might. You don’t want to be caught in a position where your business’ most delicate information is hosted in the cloud and it gets compromised as a result. Some companies simply don’t want to take the risk due to compliance and other various factors, which is completely understandable. 

 

No matter how you want to set up your computing infrastructure, AE Technology Group can help you keep it safe and optimized. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006

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3 Simple Problems That Cause A Slow Computer

a man sitting in front of a laptop computer

 

Sometimes you might experience a slow computer and wonder when it’s time to call in the experts. After all, you don’t know how much you might break your budget, right? Depending on the issue, you might be able to resolve it yourself. We’ve put together three of the most common computer repair scenarios that you might encounter and how they should be handled. 

Your Computer is Slow 

There are countless reasons your computer might be running poorly. One example is having too many applications or too many web browser tabs open at the same time. If you try to do too much on a device that is not meant to handle that much work, of course, it’s going to be slow. Granted, a slow computer could be a sign of other underlying problems, so you might want to call someone about it anyway, but for a short-term fix, try closing some apps or doing less resource-intensive tasks. You can always try the good ol’ restart, too. 

A Bad Internet Connection 

Sometimes your computer might simply be experiencing a slow Internet connection, especially if your business relies on cloud-hosted productivity applications like Google Workspace or Office 365. Check your Internet connection by clicking on the icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen. If you are not connected to the network, or there is something wrong with the network (like slowdown, for example), you can try restarting the device or your router. 

Your Computer Makes Lots of Noise 

Computers are complex pieces of machinery that have countless internal parts. Due to the mechanical nature of some of these parts, they may start to go faulty at some point, and trust us when we say that any loud noise coming from your computer is a sure sign that something is wrong with it. You can replace certain parts easily enough, but we recommend just calling the experts at AE Technology Group and letting us handle your issues. This takes the guesswork out of the equation.  

We mentioned earlier that you might be concerned about breaking your computer repair budget by calling in experts, but we want to tell you that with a concept known as managed services, you’ll never have to worry about breaking the bank again—at least where technology is concerned. See, with managed services, you essentially get access to all-you-can-eat technology help according to a service agreement. You’ll never have to worry about how much a call to your provider will cost because all of that has already been ironed out in the agreement.  

AE Technology wants to be your go-to IT resource for any computer repair or technical issues that your staff experiences throughout the workday. With us on your side, you’ll never have to worry about technology problems derailing productivity for extended periods of time, because you know we’ll be on the case as soon as it’s reported. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006. 

5 Ways to Improve Your Technology Troubleshooting

A businessman selecting a Troubleshooting button on a futuristic display with a concept written on it.

When you suffer from a technical difficulty, it’s your responsibility to ensure that it is handled in a timely fashion, whether reporting the issue to IT or taking care of it yourself. However, the process of troubleshooting can save you from waiting around while IT tinkers with your device’s settings. Let’s examine the five stages of troubleshooting and how you might try them yourself to improve your technology troubleshooting for your business.

Collect Information

First, you need to collect information that you can use to address the problem. What is the issue, and what is the scope? Is it one little thing on your PC, or is it a network-wide issue? If you collect as much information as you can, you’ll have an easier time talking to IT about it. Chances are they will try to replicate the issue, and all of this information will be invaluable towards this end.

Analyze Your Approach

Next, you’ll need to use this information to determine the best path toward resolving your issue. Is there anything relevant in the data you can fix the problem? You may have to adjust your approach based on your response to this question. It would be best to put a plan that is data-informed whenever possible.

Implement Your Solution

With a solid plan in place, you can implement the proposed solution. You’ll want to be extremely careful, though. You should only implement a solution that you know solves the problem at hand. If you are not confident in your technology, you should do more research until satisfied. The wrong answer could put you at a disadvantage.

Assess the Solution

After implementation, you’ll have to assess whether or not the solution worked. Some of the explanations you might implement are little more than stop-gaps that provide temporary fixes for more significant problems, which is fine in its way, so long as that is how you treat the solution. It’s your responsibility to know when to implement something better.

Document the Process

Now that you have a solid solution in place, you’ll want to ensure that your internal documents have recorded the processes for the fix. This helps others within your organization understand the spot for later on, and it can keep others from engaging in a long and challenging (and now unnecessary) troubleshooting process.

AE Technology Group wants to help you improve your technology troubleshooting and many other technology needs for your business. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.

How Get the Most Out of Your POS System

hand working point of sale system at a store

Many small businesses that provide goods or services have a Point of Sale, or POS, as the primary workstation. As such, many of the business’ core processes run through it. These systems have a plethora of great features that are built right into them, and if you fail to take advantage of them, you could be wasting valuable time and resources.

The truth is that a POS system is not just a cash register; it is a central hub for the management of your business. Some of their more advanced options can fly under the average user’s radar, so let’s make sure you don’t miss out on taking advantage of them!

Choose the Right Terminal Structure

POS systems require terminals to work, and there are several different ways that these terminals can appear. You should choose the right one to fit your organization’s needs. Here are four ways you can implement a POS system:

In-store

Traditional on-premise POS systems are your typical systems. Basically, the business hosts the server at the location, and the POS system runs on local hardware. In-store POS systems are great for small businesses that don’t require anything too technical in the backend computing system. This type of POS system is common in retail and hospitality, and they have some higher costs in terms of hardware maintenance and management, but they are overall quite easy to use and secure.

Cloud-hosted

If you host your POS system in the cloud, you can reap the benefits of saving on capital costs. You also don’t have to worry about maintaining hardware, as the provider will likely be the one handling that responsibility. Cloud-hosted POS systems are generally quite affordable and reliable, as long as your Internet connection is stable. With most cloud systems, however, security can often be a sticking point, and you are out of luck if the Internet goes down for any number of reasons.

Mobile

Mobile POS systems use some type of external hardware connected to a tablet or smartphone. These can save businesses plenty of money, but there are downsides when it comes to maintaining the technology, as tablets and smartphones are prone to damage every so often compared to a register that just sits on the counter all day.

Kiosks

Self-service kiosks have really taken off in popularity as of late, as they reduce the need for customer interaction, saving time and money by freeing employees to perform other tasks. This has the downside of alienating customers who are not particularly tech-savvy, though, and customers might complain when they inevitably experience problems with the system.

Before you can choose the correct POS system for your business, you must first understand what the consumer needs. From a retail perspective, something with a barcode scanner integrated into it would be ideal, as well as a reliable printer. A restaurant, on the other hand, might need a scheduling program that can handle reservations. The same can be said for a hotel or salon, which might need booking systems. Therefore, we urge you to carefully consider what the best fit for your business’ customers is.

Understand POS features

While there might be many different POS systems to choose from, there are even more decisions to be made in terms of specific hardware and software. Other features you should consider include:

  • Inventory control
  • Payment processing
  • Return pricing
  • Labor management
  • Integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) capabilities including supply chain management
  • Reports and analysis

These features are some of the most common ones that provide high-efficiency gain for businesses when used with a POS system. With integrated ERP capabilities, companies can more effectively control the supply chain right from the POS system, taking inventory management to the next level. Out of all of the above, we think this has the possibility to make the biggest difference for businesses.

Let’s use a restaurant owner as an example. With a label maker, you can easily manage inventory by adding barcodes to products on your shelves. This helps staff know when it is time to order more products, and it is only possible in any easy capacity thanks to a POS system utilizing the above system.

POS systems can even handle the time management aspect of your business, including scheduling, reservations, employee time cards, and other needs. Thanks to cloud-hosted solutions, scheduling, and other employee information can easily be shared online so that businesses can ensure they are always staffed accordingly.

If you correctly utilize all of the features of your POS system, you might be surprised by how much control this gives you over aspects of your business that you might not have foreseen. You can even customize reports and analyze operational information, giving you the knowledge it needs to make informed decisions.

AE Technology Group can help your business implement the correct POS system for its needs. To learn more, reach out to us at (516) 536-5006.