Category: Cloud

Here is how to get started with AI and ML for your business

December 5, 2017

Who could possibly blame the IT manager or the CEO of a company, who has watched Spike Jonze’s 2013 film Her and concluded that artificial intelligence and machine learning signal something ominous? While most news headlines either glamorize or sensationalize artificial intelligence, the reality is much more nuanced. Artificial intelligence has already begun to revolutionize businesses all over the world, and it is only a matter of time before everyone else will have to play catch-up. Delaying the adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning comes at the cost of being left behind, and eventually having to hurriedly implement AI and ML. The time is ripe now to adopt artificial intelligence and machine learning in small and incremental phases, using agile methodology. Let us take a look at why and how every business in any industry vertical should implement AI and ML, without affecting one’s core business. Understanding machine learning and artificial intelligence in simple terms Artificial intelligence, in layman’s terms, is a machine’s (computer’s) ability to mimic human cognition, such as learning and problem-solving. Its applications and scope range from building autonomous cars, advanced medical treatments, Internet of Things (IoT), advanced statistics and computational intelligence, etc. Machine learning is the ability of computers to learn without explicit programming. In other words, machines can be programmed to learn independently, without human supervision or intervention. While machine learning has many applications, the most popular application is in the form of deep learning, which is about building mathematical algorithms that process large amounts of data. These algorithms are often called neural networks, as they mimic human information processing. Artificial intelligence and machine learning will be used by almost every business to detect anomalies, recommend products, improve services, or predict trends in the very near future. More than 90% of the 100 early-stage startups we met in the last six months plan to use machine learning to improve customer experience. Currently, businesses that have already implemented AI and ML can be classified into two groups: those that use AI/ML in their applications and services, and those that build and develop AI and ML middleware for others. Get Started with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Now If you feel intimidated by the quick advent of AI and ML, allow us to put your worries to rest. Instead, make the best use of AI and ML by keeping aside technicalities, and by identifying simple and non-business critical areas. Look at AI and ML as an innovation project that can be started small, and built upon gradually as the technology evolves. It is not necessary to bring dramatic and disruptive changes to your business. Practically, you can enhance every area of your business in small and non-critical ways using AI and ML. Let us look at possible scenarios in each department. Here are some of the areas where you can introduce AI/ML without affecting your core business: Business intelligence Predictive analysis helps you access trends, predict outcomes, and provide better solutions. Use old databases for rich insights, or merge AI with your BI tools to access insights and predict outcomes. Customer service Choose from improving search results, boost sales, retargeting potential customers, personalizing content, engaging visitors with a chatbot that answers queries related to products, etc. The sky is the limit. Enterprise asset management Use AI to manage contracts and assets, predictive behavior analysis and alarms, automated intelligent processing and standardization of data. Etc. Customer Experience Provide AI chatbot assistants to your customers, or use deep insights to enhance customer experience. Use machine learning to improve search results based on user behavior. Human resource Surprise your employees with accurate appraisals, incentives, and payouts. AI does not understand human concepts of prejudice and bias. Sales and marketing Design and implement sales & marketing campaigns based on deep insights derived from machine learning and AI. Predictive analysis can help you develop marketing campaigns that are prophetic in nature. Manage your social media without having to be online 24/7. Product development and production Machine learning is most often used in product development and service enhancements. You can use machine learning in the most innocuous manner to improve your product development and production. Procurement and inventory management Track your raw materials, predict when you might need to replenish, and intelligently procure the best at the lowest rates. Distribution Monitor fleets, track packages, and provide shipping and delivery services that are on the dot. There’s a storm approaching? Predict it before it happens, and have a contingency plan. Strategize AI/ML implementation Now that you know AI and ML can be implemented incrementally in almost all business areas, it is time to strategize the entire implementation process. In 6 easy steps, you can implement and use artificial intelligence and/or machine learning as part of your innovation project, without interfering with your core business. Identify safe targets to innovate Think about the problems you currently have in your business, and which one is the least critical to everyday operations, if changes were brought. Choose from the list above, and identify targets that could be safely innovated with AI or ML. Look around for inspiration If you are unable to decide what might be a safe target, look at what your competitors are doing. If none of your competitors are doing anything related to AI or ML, you might even want to find inspiration in adjacent industries. Assess your budget for innovation It is advisable to start small, as that helps you remain confident throughout your innovation project. Assess how much you are willing to spend on bringing innovation to your chosen area. Choosing open source technologies is another tried and tested method to innovate, as it costs lesser. Look for agile vendors Once you identify the area you wish to innovate, look for vendors with similar agile mindsets who believe in adopting and implementing technology incrementally. Implement AI innovation slowly but steadily As discussed earlier, it is important to adopt artificial intelligence slowly, as it gives you time to adjust to the

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Hiring In a Post-Weinstein World : Blockchain to the Rescue

November 10, 2017

In the immediate aftermath of the Harvey Weinstein saga, human resource departments across industry verticals have had to deal with a tsunami of harassment complaints, leading to dismissals, compensations, and expensive lawsuits. Every hiring manager, whether at BBC or at a smaller organization, has asked the same question to themselves: “Why didn’t I learn more about whom I was hiring? How could I have avoided the embarrassment that my hiring decision caused to the company?” They could not have made a better decision anyway. Because they simply didn’t have access to verified and validated information about every candidate that applied. They probably had access to a one-sided, colored, and mostly favorable review of the candidate. If they had access to blockchain, they would have made better hiring decisions and avoided complex and unsavory situations. What is blockchain? Often described as a digital ledger, blockchain securely records every transaction, communication, or event that must be recorded and verified. Consenting parties contribute data to a shared network where a varying number of people record transactions in a ledger that only grow over a period of time. Once recorded in the ledger, information can never be altered or edited. Instead, blocks of transactions get stacked on top of one another in a permanent manner, with each block lending itself to be accessed by those who have the authorization to do so. Every block forms a chain with its preceding and succeeding block, thus validating the entire chain of blocks from the beginning of time to eternity. All these complex and encrypted recording of transactions take place automatically in the backend with the help of blockchain software. In other words, information stored in blockchain is literally indestructible. To tamper with information stored in blocks, a malicious entity will have to edit information on every computer where the block is stored, at the same time, which simply isn’t possible. Digital ledgers can be public, private, or semi-private. They can vary in size and may grant anonymous access or may not. How blockchain revs up the hiring process Blockchain technology has been around for many years now, and people usually associate it with Bitcoin. However, blockchain technology has many other important implications, especially in the hiring process. With every event that could influence a hiring decision recorded in blockchain, forming that perfect team gets so much easier. As a norm, hiring managers have depended on background checks, recommendation letters, references, qualification assessment authorities, etc., to access a wide range of opinions regarding a candidate. On top of these varied sources, a hiring manager also has to qualitatively evaluate a candidate during many rounds of interviews. BBC alone saw more than 25 claims of harassment after the Harvey Weinstein scandal kicked off. Somewhere, every hiring manager knows, if they had access to verifiable insight into a candidate’s character and conduct, all this could have been avoided. Blockchain not only helps you verify a candidate’s credentials and identity, it helps you evaluate his or her character and past conduct. As blockchain isn’t controlled or stored on a single server, data stored cannot be tampered with. Blockchain technology is all about transparence, made possible by decentralization of technology and distribution of digital ledgers across nodes. No block is stored only on a single computer but is rather stored on shared networks, which makes tracking and verifying each event and data so much more credible. In other words, a candidate cannot present only their most favorable reviews, while keeping unfavorable evaluations hidden. To put things in perspective, blockchain encrypts every verified document or event related to a candidate, right from the recommendation letters written by processors to certifications earned, appraisals in previous organizations, any legal issues, defining events in social media activity, and helps build a psychographic profile of the individual over a period of time, all backed by hashes stored in previous blocks. Clear benefits of using blockchain during hiring: Execute hiring contracts when certain conditions are met Conduct audits in a super-efficient manner Store and access verified files Use blockchain in combination with predictive analysis to foresee employee outcomes Use smart contracts to protect all your intellectual property, and prevent employee fraud and theft Track and analyze social media content Use distributed ledgers to develop and access universal digital identities Avoid expensive lawsuits and claims Create a safe working environment for the rest of your team Add value to your organization and team by hiring someone who will fit in Evaluate candidate’s compatibility with your work culture Between you and your candidate, there will be no middlemen Blockchain removes the need for middlemen and intermediaries, ensuring that information sought about the other entity is validated and guaranteed as “true” by blockchain technology. If you plan to hire a new senior-level manager for your organization, you can not only make sure that he actually got that Yale degree he claims to have, but also make sure that he did not bully someone at a job he held 10 years ago. As an employer, you will have access to his education, grades, conduct, and character, joining and exit dates at previous organizations, performance scores, etc. In other words, blockchain acts as an instant background check, especially when it can correlate events and information recorded in social profiles. For example, if you gain access to Blockcerts, you can immediately access verified and validated records of an individual’s qualifications. What makes blockchain truly remarkable is, you do not have to depend on just the quantifiable measures such as scores, certifications, and lack of criminal history. You can access qualitative information about a candidate built up over years, thanks to recommendation letters, appraisals, performance reviews, etc. Combine all this with predictive analysis and social media data, the sky is the limit. Build better teams, and a safer workplace In the end, blockchain helps you foresee whom you are hiring if they are fit for your team, and how you can reduce risks associated with hiring someone you don’t know much about. You

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What Is The Difference Between Data-Center And Cloud?

December 7, 2016

Users often get muzzled about technical jargons and have a little idea sometimes what they are referring to. Same is the case for data center and cloud. Though both the terms are related to data storage, there is enough ambiguity for people to misinterpret. The following blog distinguishes how the two terms are more different than same. Differentiating data center and cloud Data center is a storage facility that manages and disseminates data for an organization with its local network. It is designed to meet specific requirements of the organization’s IT operations. Cloud or cloud computing, on the other hand, refers to data storage and accessibility over the internet instead of organization’s privately held data center. All services hosted over the internet like SaaS, PaaS and IaaS fall under the gamut of cloud services. Cloud offers virtual memory facility that can be increased or decreased depending on your storage, computing or infrastructure requirement. Should you get a cloud or a data center? There are many factors to consider before you make a choice. Scalability Data center is suitable for organizations that require a customized and dedicated system to have full control over their data and hardware. When you own a data center, capacity expansion requires you to spend the significant amount of money to match workloads. Cloud facility is highly scalable and quickly adapts to your business needs. Cloud offers unlimited capacity expansion based on vendor’s products and service plans. Reliability The infrastructure in place should be available whenever you need it. Computer hardware and software are susceptible to mishaps like fire suppression and unwanted scenarios like redundant data making the system highly expensive to maintain. You are likely to face significant downtime if anything goes wrong with your data center. On the other hand, cloud servers use multiple data centers in different geographical locations with proper backup. This shields you from unwarranted downtimes. When one data center experiences a glitch, other data centers take up the load to keep your applications running without any disruption. Leading cloud service providers provide all the necessary features to run cloud applications. The cost incurred in maintaining the system is offset by revenue generated through the sheer number of clients accessing the services. Therefore, cloud storage is reliable from that perspective. Security The physical security of a data center is a major cause of concern among data center owners. Virtual security in a data center includes protecting operating system, database, SLL/TLS and other virtual security features from any kind of failure. Because a data center is physically connected to a local network, only company-approved credentials and equipment can access it. Hence, data center security is in your hands. On the other hand, cloud may seem less secure because data security is entrusted to third-party servers that may or may not have proper security certifications. It is a critical concern among most organizations considering the vulnerability of customer data to hackers. There are many entry and exit points across the network due to multiple clients and cloud provider must plug in gaps in data leakage. With that said, leading cloud data centers follow industry standards and encryption to protect virtual security aspects. They use biometric access control of physical assets, servers and buildings to physically protect all the data centers. Value To set up your own data center takes time and money. To add to it, there are significant operational costs associated with it. In contrast, cloud computing enables you to get started without wasting a moment. A wide range of modules and services are provided on a subscription basis by cloud providers to meet your budget. And capital liability is a bare minimum. On the other hand, organizations have to incur huge expenses to keep the data center running incessantly. Therefore, maintaining a private data center is an expensive proposition often not affordable for small enterprises. So when costs are high, a proportionate value generated becomes lower. Cloud with its pay-as-you-go model is becoming a popular choice among small enterprises. Performance Organizations with different types of applications and complex workloads look for installing a data center. Cloud servers, in contrast, handle a lot of network connections due to which performance may get affected. Control A significant disadvantage of a cloud is that you have limited control over it because it is owned and managed by the third party. Moreover, you share resources with other cloud users in your provider’s public cloud. Businesses with highly sensitive data and complex workloads may be wary about it. Storage In a cloud, your data is stored in a third-party data center either owned/ rented by cloud service provider or data center service providers. Therefore, all related updates and ongoing maintenance are carried out by those service providers. On the contrary, company-owned data centers are maintained by in-house IT department. Location The physical location of data center can be within or outside the organization’s premises. On the other hand, cloud data center is located off-premise when you subscribe to public cloud services. However, cloud data center can be on-premise or off-premise in a case of private cloud services where you have a dedicated server allotted to your business. Management The onus of managing a data center is completely on internal IT team. If you are able to manage it well through proper hardware and software upgrades, it is good. Big enterprises often prefer to stay that way. On the other hand, in cloud storage everything is managed and provisioned by cloud service provider. It is a huge relief for business owners because you just have to focus on implementation. Accessibility Users often have a notion that physical proximity to a data center makes them more accessible. It is true when you have an on-premise data center. Alternatively, cloud data centers are virtual machines easily accessible through the web. So irrespective of your location, you can manage and access your data from anywhere. Cloud is data center owned and hosted by third party Data center is storage equipment

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10 Ways Cloud Computing Revolutionizes Your Business

October 26, 2016

Cloud computing can be described as the practice of using a network of remote servers which are hosted on the Internet in order to store, manage and process data. Instead of using personal or local servers, one uses computing services delivered online. Software programs can be delivered online, and when that happens, it is known as Software as a Service (SaaS). When a platform to build applications is delivered online to developers and IT companies, it is known as Platform as a Service. Similarly, when storage and other services typically associated with hardware are delivered online, it is known as Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Evidently, cloud computing has allowed a number of companies to access technologies that they otherwise couldn’t have. Shared platforms mean, more money saved and technology being more accessible. With this premise, companies have been able to save costs and focus more on the things that they are great at. [php snippet= 1] In this article, let us take a look at ten ways through which cloud computing revolutionizes your business. Enhances collaboration Cloud computing brings a wide array of benefits to an organization – an important one being collaboration. Employees and their supervisors can easily collaborate, while they are on different systems, or in different countries. As unrealistic as that might sound, cloud computing is the only way to enhance collaboration at work. It is also easier to supervise and guide employees when files are shared and discussed together. Gives you access to technologies you can’t afford or find Most companies cannot afford to buy proprietary software programs with single licenses. It also does not make sense to do so. Even small companies can now access technologies that were hitherto unknown or inaccessible to them, thanks to cloud computing. Software as a Service (SaaS) ensures that everyone can have a piece of the cake. This inherent democracy is built into cloud technology, and that can revolutionize the way you conduct business. Reduces clutter Cloud computing helps you to bring in discipline and organization. You will be able to manage data better and get rid of unwanted files and software programs. Most importantly, when everything is run on the cloud, it frees up time and energy to focus on more important things. In other words, cloud de-clutters your organization and helps you to be more efficient and productive. Supports mobility Most people use mobile phones and tablets more than they would ever use a personal computer. Society has vastly changed and even employees prefer their own mobile devices to working on computers. When such is the case, you can actually make this a double edged sword. Cloud computing helps you to access mobile technology and ensure that you are not left behind. Enhances data integrity Whenever files are changed and edited, all the changes take place on the server. This helps everyone to access a single file and also track all the changes. This enhances data integrity, instead of you having to deal with various versions of a single file. In other words, cloud computing enhances data integrity and maintains uniformity of information all across. Is cost effective Cloud computing reduces expenditure like no other form of computing has. You will no longer need to invest in expensive manpower, expensive storage or expensive software. Cloud solves all these problems by bringing the best of technology to you at a faction of the cost. Moreover, the added efficiency and tools will help you to drive growth, which further reduces cost in your company. Makes you environmentally friendly Cloud computing avoids all kinds of paper and helps saves trees. It also helps you to avoid purchasing unnecessary infrastructure, which needs to be discarded after a few years. Imagine having to throw away hundreds of computers that lead to environmental damage? Instead, if you could access cloud, you will not have to invest in unnecessary computers, storage devices and machines. All this is done online and you just need a few computers to access the cloud. Keeps you updated with the latest in technology Cloud technology ensures that you do not have to upgrade your software or your storage systems regularly. You also do not have to worry about software updates as they happen automatically. In other words, you remain updated with all the latest in technology and you will never be redundant or outdated again. Brings in automation to your organization Automation helps companies to save costs, reduce manpower and make things more efficient. Many tasks could be automated, if companies were ready to do so. HR, finance, billing, shipping, etc can all be automated and unnecessary jobs can be cut. Freed up manpower can be trained and used for tasks that cannot be automated. In fact, we are all moving towards a service-oriented society, where most things are done by computers, and people just manage things. Helps you focus on growth With all the time, money and manpower that you save, you can focus on growing your company. You can focus on your core activities without feeling bothered by unimportant things such as upgrading software or how much storage you are left with. Cloud computing makes everything easy and streamlined so that you can spend time on what is really important for your business. Revolutionize your growth with cloud computing As you can see above, cloud computing has a number of advantages and can revolutionize your business in no time. In fact, the changes are so quick and apparent that most companies choose to integrate cloud computing deeper into their architecture. Cloud computing enhances collaboration, gives you access to difficult and expensive technologies, makes you efficient by removing clutter, helps you go mobile and is cost effective. It is also an added bonus that you can claim to environmentally friendly and green, which helps in promotions and branding. Last but not the least; you will be able to automate most of your critical functions and remain abreast with the latest in technology, ultimately helping you with

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How to Save Money on Cloud Computing?

October 7, 2016

It now need not be explained to people that cloud computing saves money. This is the primary reason why people choose cloud computing models. It is clear that as you read this article, thousands of businesses worldwide are wondering how best to use cloud technology to reduce their costs, access technology that is otherwise prohibitive and simply make things easier so that their business can grow and make more profits. Yet, cloud computing is not free. It costs money too. Sometimes, it can cost a lot more than you expected, especially if you do not understand cloud computing very well. Even those who understand cloud computing, make the same mistakes that others do, and end up spending unnecessary amounts of money on IT expenditure. Here is the shocker: if you thought you are already saving money on cloud computing and you needn’t read any further, you can still cut down on costs attributed to cloud computing itself. In fact, there are a number of ways through which you can reduce cloud computing expenditure, and save crucial finances that can be used for other purposes. [php snippet=1] Don’t try too much customization Most companies make the mistake of asking for too many customizations. This may seem like a great idea but customization costs money. If you choose SaaS products as they are before customization, you get a lot of things for free. A few customizations can be avoided if they are not critical. In other words, focus on what you want to do with the software, and do not worry about making the tool the way you dream it to be. This way, you will save money. Keep things simple It is always a good idea to keep things simple, even in cloud services. Do not add services or functions that you do not need and ensure that integrations are as simple as possible. You could choose a multi-platform approach as many workloads run better on this sort of model. Moreover, if your cloud computing functions are simple, you will not have to worry about unnecessary downtimes. Do not think of scaling if you can’t afford it A lot of companies always have big dreams. Now, having big dreams is not a bad thing. It helps organizations to be optimistic and ambitious. However, if you think of scaling when you are not yet starting out, you will incur unnecessary expenditures. Be conservative and think of scaling only when profits are increasing and more business is looming in the corner. Scaling up cloud computing should never be an option until you can afford it. Don’t use what you do not need Many cloud vendors offer a lot of bells and whistles. If you are out there to gain certain benefits from the cloud, do so without accepting all that is sold to you. In other words, do not use what you do not need. Strip down your cloud based tools and you will notice that you will not only feel leaner but a lot more efficient. Learn to manage your data Unnecessary data can cause your storage to run out very quickly. While it feels like there is unlimited space in the cloud, there isn’t. For every file that you retain, or for every unnecessary app that you run, or for every report that is fed into the software, you are using up your storage space. Once you cross a certain threshold, you will have to purchase storage at an extra cost. The only way to deal with this problem is to manage your data well. Do not move everything to the cloud The cloud is the hottest topic among enterprises, and most companies are way too eager to move everything to the cloud, so that they can feel self-satisfied that they have gotten rid of their legacy tools and are now pretentiously in the cloud. Unfortunately, storms will brew very soon if one takes a reckless approach. It makes sense to analyze what needs to be moved to cloud and what would be better left off the cloud. Give emphasis to security While cloud saves a lot of money, it comes with certain security risks for which you alone will be responsible. Speak with your cloud service provider to find out how you can avoid cloud related security risks and what you can do to protect yourself from malicious threats. By placing an emphasis on security, you will avoid unnecessary costs related to damage control once security has been breached. Choose the right cloud service provider Last but not the least, you need to know and understand the approach your cloud vendor takes. If your vendor is selling you a lot more than you need, and is not constructively asking you to reduce cloud expenditure himself, you may smell a rat. Moreover, an efficient cloud service provider will help you save money just by providing great service and products, which ultimately is the best way to save expenditure. You can indeed reduce cloud expenditure As you can see from the list above, there are a number of ways you can further reduce costs associated with cloud computing. Most companies are not realizing that there is a good chunk of money that can be saved while using cloud services by foregoing unnecessary customization, by keeping things simple, by not scaling when one can’t afford it and by not using what one doesn’t need, one can save a lot of money on the cloud. Unnecessary data can be discarded and managed in more efficient ways, so that you do not have to purchase extra storage. Also, by avoiding moving everything to the cloud, you can again save money. By ensuring that you are taking all security-related precautions, you can avoid unnecessary expenses that come with damage control once a security breach occurs. Last but not the least, your cloud service provider should understand that cloud computing can save money even further, even when the client or the vendor has not thought about

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Is Cloud Security Improving? A Trend Analysis

September 28, 2016

Cloud computing, as we all know, will continue to galvanize the way technology is used and optimized by businesses across the world. As more and more businesses move their data and development to the cloud, more security risks may pop-up in the future. For this reason, cloud security has been a buzzword for long and is now an essential part of R&D among cloud companies. Ways to mitigate security threats, breaching of privacy, identity thefts, safety of stored data, etc have been hot-topics in the world of cloud security. In their book Cloud Computing: Implementation, Management, and Security, John W. Rittinghouse and James F. Ransome describe cloud security as the top most priority of cloud vendors and service buyers. According to them, an IDC survey revealed that security ranked as the greatest challenge among CEOs of companies. With this in mind, we might want to question ourselves if cloud security is improving, and if it is, what the current and future scenes look like. [php snippet=1] The virtualization avalanche A staggering number of companies have quickly evolved to make use of cloud technology and access hardware and software services which they previously couldn’t. This has led to a deluge of data being stored on cloud servers, while apprehensions remain on both sides. Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) are the three environments that enterprises are making use of and all the three have enabled small and large businesses alike to hone up their on-shore activities and infrastructure. This avalanche of virtualized data is going to pose a problem to cloud vendors, and more studies will be required to find how to manage this avalanche of data that is hurtling toward cloud servers. Security is the single most concern of most vendors and buyers alike. What is the current status of security in the cloud? The authors in the same book mentioned above consider that having proper fail-over technology is a concept that is often overlooked. They argue that mission-critical applications need to be online no matter what, even if it means risking certain mission-non-critical applications going offline. Both the vendors and buyers need to define critical and sensitive data, and differentiate that from regular data. This will lead to the problem of data-level security, which remains difficult to measure. More companies must be encouraged to choose cloud services that are military-grade in encryption, when it comes to storing the aforementioned sensitive/mission-critical data. Most importantly, the current worry has been to secure the information and data deluge that is currently taking place. Threats may include thefts, data loss, partial damage to servers, physical damage to hardware where data is stored, hackings and even malware. When we look at these threats, it becomes clear that not much has changed since early 2010s when the same issues bothered fledging cloud service providers. End-users accessing the cloud A Symantec survey revealed that most end-users, or employees, don’t know or care about security challenges of cloud services. With so many companies using cloud computing for their technology needs, the question of threats posed to data by end-users themselves is a question that is often raised. Even in 2016, this problem has not dissipated and probably will not in the near future. What really is required is security governance in companies, and policies that are made clear to end-users. End-users may not even be employees. They may be freelancers, contractors, and sometimes, just consumers. With this in mind, this is one area that will need a lot of attention in the future.  Unbridled and unmanaged access to cloud services is not the answer or the route that companies should take. Instead, they may consult with their cloud service provider to chart policies that are more effective to keep data secure. Mobile devices and cloud security One of the most important reasons why cloud is so popular today is because of the mobile nature of it all. You could be carrying your cellphone or tablet, or using a desktop at home and you will still be able to access sensitive data related to your company. While this can be a good thing, it poses a lot of problems to not only your company, but also to cloud service providers themselves, who are often caught in the midst of threats created by end-users and actual external malicious threats. A good way to deal with this issue is to ensure that mobile devices are enhanced with security features, and that mobile security becomes an important feature of cloud computing. The trend looks highly mobile, and mobile cloud security will be a topic that will be hotly debated this year and the years to come. The concept of privacy Privacy as a concept needs to be taught to end-users of your application. While vendors can often explain privacy requirements and the importance of it all to clients, clients often are not as bothered about security as vendors are. The end-users often do not understand the privacy risks that come with using cloud technologies. For this reason alone, it is important for companies to brief employees about privacy issues that may occur if sensitive data is compromised. Unfortunately, the concept of privacy, to most people, seems like distant storms happening in a country far away. Yet, these clouds (pun intended) that are a threat to cloud computing need to be carefully studied, understood, and resisted. The only way to do this is by educating ourselves, and by taking extreme measures to keep all data secure. So, what does it all come down to? Certainly, not much has changed in recent years when it comes to cloud security. The same challenges remain and most people seem to be taking these threats for granted, almost admitting that they are a part of life, just like cloud computing now is. However, a more proactive stance needs to be taken in the months and years to come, with regard to cloud security and data

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Here Is Why You May Never Need to Hire an IT Professional Again

August 8, 2016

Small-scale companies have begun to realize the importance of cloud computing and are actively transitioning from traditional computing towards cloud deployment.  Cloud computing is used not only for storage but for providing a platform for application development and to meet fluctuating infrastructural needs. With cloud computing, businesses only pay for what they use i.e. pay-as-you-go model. This helps them to save a lot of money invested in capital assets that are not fully exploited or probably fade into oblivion soon. One big advantage offered by cloud computing is that it makes collaboration and outsourcing of services easy. This shift from traditional to cloud computing has helped companies to minimize their IT staffing needs. Cloud computing is commonly deployed in ERP and HRMS systems with different modules. Cloud services are offered at a monthly subscription amount depending upon business requirements and modules subscribed. Understanding the structure of cloud computing and how it minimizes your hiring needs In traditional computing with legacy software, you ostensibly need a different IT professional to manage different software which obviously raises your human capital budget. You also need a hardware expert who manages all hardware requirements. Not to mention software licenses and hardware investment. Under cloud computing, computer servers are resource pooled through management software. The computing needs can be easily scaled up or down depending on the workload. Consequently, there is a continuous reconfiguration of computer systems depending upon the project needs. [php snippet=1] A/B testing is easy to conduct with cloud computing. Customers’ expectations and hypothesis can be deduced in real time without causing any hindrance to the flow of traffic to the website. Businesses can instantly draw analytical reports and gain insights through cloud analytics module. With cloud computing, your software and hardware are both outsourced and all your computing needs are met without having to deal with them on-premise. It is the onus of cloud service provider to provide you 24*7 services, prevent downtime, invest in system maintenance, spruce up security measures to protect your data, and provide you with the latest software and hardware capabilities over the internet. In case any technical issue arises, cloud service providers provide you with instant diagnosis through call or visit. This practically eliminates the need for a full-time IT employee in your organization because all the necessary services are provided by cloud service provider. Adopt cloud computing and bid adieu to IT professionals in your organization This shift has led to the restructuring of organizations and most organizations are moving towards “lean” trend with bare minimum IT staff. On the other hand, it is cloud service providers who are going to need cloud-trained service staff to operate and maintain cloud servers. Nonetheless, it is businesses that adopt cloud computing who save the most. Apart from basic software or hardware technicians, you barely need to spend a bomb on hiring IT professionals who plausibly have nothing to contribute. In case you need some external guidance over cloud implementation or cloud integration, you can always hire a temporary cloud consultant.  

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MakeYourTax: A Web-Based Tax Filing Solution for CAs and Enterprises

July 27, 2016

The new financial year has already begun and most of us have finished filing for returns in the nick of time. In fact, studies reveal that for accountants and CAs, the weeks preceding tax filings are some of the most stressful, leading to reduced performance and quality of life. People get stressed out on tax issues simply because numbers are scary, and filing tax returns involves a lot of number crunching. A simple mistake can cost a CA his client. While chartered accountants are trained to do this, even they find it difficult to handle different clients and may inadvertently make errors. Existing tax software programs require you to install them physically on a computer, making your system slow and inefficient. Also, you may not be able to rectify or correct issues on a different computer or from a different location, requiring you to file your returns on the computer where the tool is installed. All this leads to a reduction in efficiency and a gradual loss of man hours which could be used for something else. The solution to all these problems is MakeYourTax, a unique income tax returns filing web-based application, a joint venture of Indus Net Technologies and Taxmantra. How does MakeYourTax help CAs and enterprises? MakeYourTax is a cloud and web-based app that requires no installation and is available 24×7. It is easy to use and all you need to do is log in once to start filing your returns instantly. This is the perfect tool for those who are working from multiple office set-ups. MakeYourTax supports all ITRs and you can directly upload XML files, negate the requirement for entering data manually. This web-based application is perfect for chartered accountants (CAs), accountants and enterprises. The tool is specifically useful for chartered accountants, who often go through a reduction in efficiency because of older legacy taxation tools. This cloud-based filing system helps CAs to delegate work to junior interns, and it makes filing ITR and e-TDS of different clients a breeze. If you are a CA, you will no longer have to struggle through manual installations, performance audits and regular updates of your software. All this happens in the cloud, without you ever having to do anything. In other words, chartered accountants can finally leverage the power of cloud computing. If you are a chartered accountant and were wondering how MakeYourTax will help you, this section will help you to understand its main features. A taxation solution with full features The app covers ITR 1, 4S, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5 and 6. You can easily make revisions and rectifications. In other words, MakeYourTax is a full-suit taxation app that solves all your problems as a CA, and you can simply focus on growing your business and nurturing your clients, instead of worrying about technicalities and software issues. Cloud-based solution MakeYourTax is a cloud-based app that does not require any installations or upgrades. This means the app is always up-to-date, ready to serve you, help your crunch numbers and make your work a lot easier than you might ever imagine. It is incredibly fast and can scale up during demand seasons such as the weeks before tax-filing deadlines. If your interns are not able to come to your office, they can simply work from home. This allows you to hire more interns and employees, especially if you do not have a large office. Helps you collaborate As MakeYourTax is a cloud-based app, you can easily collaborate with your team and also your clients across the world. The application provides simultaneous access, which makes coordinating and collaborating very easy. With a single license, you gain access to a multi-user, multi-location platform that easily solves all your tax-related problems. Easy to use As a CA or an accountant, you might worry about how difficult this software might be to use. The app has been designed with non-IT professionals in mind and is thus very intuitive and easy to use. In fact, even junior interns can use the application easily. If you need support, our trained tax professionals will help you and clear your doubts. Data protection and security When it comes to sensitive data such as tax-related numbers, data security is of utmost importance. MakeYourTax has been designed with protection and security of data being high on the priority list. All data is kept private and the app features 256-bit SSL encryption. With encrypted back-ups being the norm, you never have to worry about your stored data falling into wrong hands or it getting lost. With guaranteed data backups and security, you can heave a sigh of relief and focus on your work. Future updates and features In the future, MakeYourTax is going to receive even more features as it is updated regularly and automatically over the cloud. Some of the features that will be available soon are TDS returns preparation and filing, service tax returns preparation and filing, and VAT returns preparation and filing. Moreover, we have a list of other useful features that we plan to introduce soon. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of taxation, our team consists of veterans who know what it takes to crunch numbers efficiently. Our team has filed more than 300,000 tax returns for their clients and managed more than 8000 businesses. The team’s technical expertise is sound too, with more than 18 years in the technology sector. MakeYourTax.com costs INR 9850/- per year for unlimited usage, multiple users, and multiple offices, for one firm. We also offer a white label tax filing portal which will help you acquire new clients, but this comes at an additional cost. All along, no matter what questions or doubts you have, our experienced team will be happy to assist you. If you would like to understand more about the application and how it can specifically help you, please feel free to contact one of our representatives and they will be glad to help you.

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Understanding the Green Cloud

March 9, 2016

Most of us have already begun to opt for cloud computing in one way or another. Whether we choose to automate our HR processes with the help of an HRMS or we choose to install ERP solutions in order to automate business process, most companies today engage in cloud computing. Yet, companies are not aware of the benefits of green cloud computing. In other words, they still need to understand the importance of using the green cloud. Green cloud computing refers to an infrastructure that is less harmful to the environment and that requires less cooling systems to store data and run processes. Obviously, companies that offer green cloud services tend to be more expensive than the ones that offer just cloud computing, without mentioning anything about environmental regulations. It is important to understand that IT infrastructure is responsible for a very heavy carbon footprint and most of us are guilty of causing burden to an already overburdened ecosystem. Thus, the onus is on us to choose services that are verifiably green in nature. That includes opting for cloud services that are green and environment-friendly. Facing the green cloud reality We all know that global warming is a real issue that has not been tackled effectively. In the industry circles, there is a tendency to avoid these issues but what most business owners do not realize is that when they go green, they also improve their brand image. In fact, by choosing to work with vendors who are environment-friendly, businesses can proudly claim to be doing their bit in making the world a better place to live in. Cloud computing infrastructure involves thousands of data centers that utilize enormous quantities of power. While all the data is stored in the cloud and everything is enabled by the internet, physical structures are still very important to running these processes. It is just that cloud clients do not see these physical equipment and imagine themselves to be free from causing power consumption. Unfortunately, most cloud servers still consume a lot of electricity and we are all complicit in leaving behind carbon footprints. Thankfully, there are a number of developments underway already.  Cloud vendors are investing in energy efficient data centers  Vendors have begun to recycle their equipment and discard them safely  Clients have begun to understand that just because they do not use physical infrastructure  does not mean they are no longer responsible for carbon footprints  Both vendors and clients look for projects that come with a green tag so that they can            improve their brand  Most companies are willing to pay a little extra if green technology is involved in cloud      computing What you should do in order to go green Green cloud thus encompasses a variety of strategies that are utilized in order to be environmental friendly. When you choose cloud computing services, it makes sense to sign contracts with companies that are decidedly green. Speak to the representatives and ask them what they are doing in order to reduce power consumption, how safely they discard their electronic waste and if they are actively propagating a green cloud culture. All this will help you to be a part of the green cloud revolution, which helps you to promote yourself as an environmentally conscious company. In today’s world, it is ever more important to be ethical and environmentally conscious. You can start with doing your bit by choosing to work with green cloud computing companies.

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10 Ways Automating Helps in Customer Acquisition

March 4, 2016

Automating one’s business process helps us in a number of ways. It helps us to become leaner and better organizations that can focus on what is actually important. In other words, companies can eliminate unnecessary tasks and automate them while they can concentrate their focus on core business activities. Automating usually involves CRM, HRMS, ERP, Field Force Management and even mobility. Of course, there are other ways in which a company can automate its processes. With the advent of new technologies, it is becoming much easier to automate tasks and business processes. Curiously, all this automation has another advantage. It helps companies to acquire new customers. In this article, let us take a look at how companies can use automation to acquire customers. 1. Improve marketing strategy Automation helps you to improve your marketing strategy by leaps and bounds. This is because of all the added features and analytics that you can squeeze out of your automation tools. It is simply not possible to do so when you are doing things manually. Marketing requires a lot of number crunching and though we may not realize it, automating certainly helps to give a boost to existing marketing strategies. This only means you will get more customers. 2. Social media management Closely behind marketing strategy is social media management, If you have a business you will know how important it is to manage your social media and engage your followers if you want to build a good brand identity. It all boils down to communication and conversations with your potential customers. This is not humanly possible if you want to do all the social media management yourself. It also does not make sense to hire a number of employees to do your social media management. A better idea is to actually automate this process so that you can focus on more important things. 3. Content management Social media management cannot happen without content management. While your content writers and editors may write excellent content, what has been published needs to be shared across offline and online platforms. Moreover, you will need to have a deep understanding about buyer personas in order to make your content strategy work. By automating content management process, you will be able to write the kind of content that will most likely help you to gain customers. 4. Market research Whether you want to engage in social media management or content marketing, equally important is market research. A good market research helps you to understand your market, competitors, target audience and potential customers. Demographics, psychographics and other related data can be automated and analyzed with the help of analytical tools. These reports can be used to create marketing strategies which too can be automated. All this will help you to find the right kind of target audience who are more likely to purchase your goods or services. 5. Help in lead generation Automating also helps you to generate leads. Whether it is by asking web visitors to take action or respond to your call to actions, you will invariably need to automate this process. For instance, all the emails can be automatically collected by a tool which you can use to send out marketing communication. This automation helps you to generate potential leads. If people respond to your marketing communication or show interest, they could probably consider leads. 6. Lead nurturing Once you find your potential leads, you need to nurture them. This is done only through the help of social media communication, email newsletters and also certain events. How often and when you should be contacting them depends on how free you are to engage in lead nurturing. Lead nurturing tools, on the other hand, help you to automate this process and thereby help you to focus on what is really important: focusing on your core business activities. 7. Offer better customer service One of the most important uses of automation is CRM. Customer relationship management helps you to resolve issues, attend to customers’ needs and focus on building valuable relationships with them. All this helps you to create a more customer-friendly image and that is very important to acquire new customers. After all, older customers bring in new customers and if you want to acquire new customers, you will need to treat your existing customers well. This means  you will have to automate your customer service as well in order to increase efficiency. 8. Speedy resolution of complaints Once you automate your customer relationship management, you will also need to focus on speedy resolution of complaints that customers may have. This may require more human reasoning than other areas. Still, automating responses and confirming ticket numbers and other such tasks done manually can be avoided. This will help you to project yourself in a positive light. After all, everyone likes to be responded immediately. You may not be able to do this on your own without a certain level of automation. 9. Increased transparency At the end of the day, automation helps you to bring in transparency and root out bureaucracy. This is simply because software programs are quicker than human beings. If customers try to reach you and are unable to do so, it is going to leave a bad impression on them. The best way to solve this problem is to automate tasks, which will ensure that everything is done transparently. This also avoids red tape and certain malpractices your employees may engage in. 10. Superior security There is nothing more important than security and privacy today. For these two factors to be given attention, you need to ensure that all information and consumer data is stored safely. It is also better if most of this data is processed by machines than humans. This will ensure that information remains secure and private. After all, encryption helps you to keep all data safe from prying eyes. This will eventually add to your credibility and help you acquire new customers. Automation not only helps companies

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