As the world is drifting through the time of COVID-19, business survival and sustenance has become a topic of concern for entrepreneurs around the globe. Business owners are adapting technological tools to ensure the safety of their employees, expedite information distribution, and maintain supply chain among other business operations.

Following are some examples of how technology plays a role in business survival during COVID-19:

• Facilitating Remote Services: Technologies such as VPN (Virtual Private Network), collaboration tools, cloud conferencing, video calling, etc. have facilitated businesses to encourage and manage remote services. Employees can easily work on projects from their home to continue smooth business operations. Project management tools allow businesses to work on team projects in a seamless environment.

• Ensuring Employee Health: For businesses, who are resuming operations at their physical location, employee health is a major concern. However, technology advancements such as full-body scanners and thermal imaging systems allow businesses to detect abnormal body temperatures to identify individuals with probable infection. This allows customer and employee screening for reducing the chances of spread of infection.

• Online Learning: Businesses involved in learning (educational as well as vocational) are taking advantage of technology for providing online learning experience. Conferencing tools such as Microsoft Teams, have built dedicated online learning platforms.

• Enabling Contactless Movements: Supply chain is an integral part of any business. It is required to procure raw materials or deliver tangible products/services to the customers. However, the fear of infection is highly prevalent during COVID-19. In this scenario, technology has facilitated contactless movements. It has helped in managing delivery channels as well as easy movement of employees. Self-driven vehicles, online payments, and digital wallets have helped in creating a contactless delivery ecosystem.

• Reaching New Customers: Building a customer base is the foundation of business survival. Digital marketing plays an important role in allowing businesses to reach out to new customers in a time where physical marketing is not possible. Creating relevant digital content and sharing it on digital platforms help businesses in conveying information about their products/services to a wide consumer base.

• Customer Service Responsibilities: Amid COVID-19, consumers have large number of queries related to business operations, revised policies, delivery options, payment modes, etc. Chatbots are helping businesses in providing automated responses to these queries. This allows businesses to manage the high flow of queries in an efficient manner. Some tools allow businesses to adopt an integrated approach where a human agent can step in, if a consumer needs special attention.

For more information on role of technology in business survival during COVID-19, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654.          

The trend of work from home has gained momentum in the time of pandemic. A large number of employees are now working remotely due to COVID-19. The businesses that have remote employees require making important changes for the transition. Amongst other changes, the businesses are required to make some technological additions to help their employees in working efficiently from remote location.

Following is the list of important tools and programs the businesses need to assist the remote workers:

• Hardware: Hardware is the most basic requirement when facilitating remote working environment. It is an essential starting point for remote workspace, including a working desktop, laptop or computer. Once a computer system is setup, the next requirement is reliable WiFi and a smartphone. Depending upon the job requirements, some additional hardware may be required such as printer, scanner, a landline phone.

• Document Creation & Editing Tools: The remote employees may be required to create and edit documents, notes and presentations. Thus, businesses need document creation & editing tool packages. These tools are necessary for every approximately every office job. A common example of such tool package is Microsoft Office 365. The package includes Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. Other features that can be helpful for the remote workers include Microsoft Teams. This feature enables the remote workers to collaborate with their coworkers through messages, live editing, file sharing, chats, etc.

• Project Management Tools: Project management tools help in keeping track of the projects remotely. The tools aide the remote employees and teams to effectively organize work and manage projects & tasks. Different types of project management tools include desktop tools, web-based tools, mobile tools, personal tools, single user tools, collaborative tools and visual tools.

• Cloud Computing: Cloud computing helps in recreating the work environment in a virtual space, offering storage, application management, data analysis, security, support, etc. The solutions are scalable to allow businesses to add resources and services that can be easily accessible to remote employees.

• Video Conferencing & Chat Platforms: In order to manage the projects efficiently, it is important to maintain the communication between remote employees. Video conferencing and chat platforms allow remote employees to send direct messages to individuals and groups. These platforms also allow remote workers to send and share documents.

• Cybersecurity Tools: In a remote work environment, it is highly important to secure the business data being shared across the network. Cybersecurity tools help in ensuring the privacy of the business data and network. These tools also help in preventing the cyber criminals from accessing the private network.

For more information on technology requirements of businesses having remote workers, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654.              

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Moving critical healthcare data on the cloud helps the healthcare providers optimize data management and process workflows, promote interoperability and reduce operating costs. Healthcare cloud solutions also help in promoting patient education and engagement. As the patients can access their medical records, they can make their own health decisions.

However, before implementing healthcare cloud solutions, it is important to know following things:

What Is Cloud Computing?

Cloud computing is an internet based computer technology that utilizes web-based cloud storage to provide services to the users whenever and wherever they need them.

What Are The Benefits Healthcare Cloud Solutions?

The major advantages of healthcare cloud solutions are:

• Data backup
• Data storage
• Powerful server capabilities
• Incremented productivity
• Highly cost-effective and time-saving
• Software as a Service or SaaS

What Is A Cloud?

A cloud is an amalgamation of hardware, network, services, storage, and interfaces that help in delivering computing as a service. It has three nodes:

• End users
• Business management users
• Cloud service provider

What Are Different Types Of Models Of Cloud Solutions Available For Healthcare Industry?

Healthcare providers can choose from following models of cloud solutions:

• PaaS: This model provides a platform and environment to let the developers build apps and services over the internet.
• SaaS: Software as a service is a software distribution model in which third-party cloud service provider hosts applications and makes them accessible to customers over the internet.
• IaaS: Infrastructure as a service is a form of cloud computing that provides virtual computing resources over the internet.
• CaaS: Communications as a service is an outsourced interactions solution that can be leased from a single vendor over the web.

What Are The Types Of Data That Can Be Stored In Cloud Computing?

Healthcare professionals can use the cloud solutions for storing different types of patient data including personal health information, patient test results, medical history, diagnosis results, prescriptions, etc.

How Can Healthcare Providers Benefit From Cloud Solutions?

Cloud solutions offer multiple benefits to healthcare providers:

• More secure data backup and data storage
• Software as a service (SaaS)
• Take advantage of powerful server capabilities without hardware investment
• Platform and OS agnostic
• Better positioning for growth and scale
• Increased productivity
• Sandboxing and virtualization capabilities
• Cost-effectiveness

For more information on implementing healthcare cloud solution, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654. 

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Defining SLAM Technology:

SLAM stands for Simultaneous Localization And Mapping. The technology understands its physical surroundings through the feature points. This allows AR applications to recognize 3D objects and instantly track the surroundings for overlaying digital interactive augmentations.

SLAM technology can be defined as a technology that allows a robot or device to create a map of its surroundings and set its orientation within the map in real-time. For a better understanding, break down the term. It leads to two key terms – Localization & Mapping.

• Localization – Find the location of some object/sensor with reference to its surroundings.
• Mapping – Map the layout and framework of the environment that the device is placed in.

The technology makes use of advanced algorithms that are capable of localizing and mapping the objects simultaneously.

How Does SLAM Technology Work?

SLAM technology collects visual data from the physical world with help of numerous sensors installed in the device. The data is collected in the form of reference points. These points make it easier for the machines or robots to distinguish between floors, walls or any other barriers. As the device moves around in the environment, new measurements are continuously taken. The SLAM technology takes care of any possible inaccuracies in the measurements by factoring in ‘Noise’.

This data is then converted into machine language that can be easily interpreted by the machines.

Implementations Of SLAM Technology:

• SLAM AR is actively being implemented in place of the traditional marker-based technology. The traditional approach required a digital image. The camera had to be pointed at the digital image for enjoying the AR experience. However, SLAM AR rules out the requirement for a digital image by locating and mapping the surroundings in real time for a better AR experience.
• Autonomous vehicles define another major implementation of SLAM technology. These self-driving vehicles are equipped with roof-mounted LIDAR (Light Imaging Detection And Ranging) sensors. These sensors create a 3D map of the surroundings and augment it over the existing Google maps. These readings are fed into a statistical algorithm for making driving-related decisions. The fast locating and mapping speed of the sensors makes them an ideal choice for fast moving vehicles.
• SLAM technology has also found implementation in robotics. The technology is being used to create automatic robots and UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) such as drones. This technology can be extensively used in a wide variety of field robots such as robots used for exploring other planets, agriculture robots, etc.
• A GPS tracking system may not be highly efficient indoors or in big cities with obstructed view of sky. These problems may be solved by implementing visual SLAM technology as it does not require satellite information. Instead, it takes accurate measurements of the world around it to create a real-time map.

For more information on SLAM technology and its uses, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654.

IT has a major impact on the way a business operates. However, IT trends keep evolving in an unexpected fashion. As the new stage of digital evolution knocks on our doors in 2020, the new IT trends such as emotionally intelligent interfaces and hyper-intuitive cognitive capabilities promise to transform businesses in unpredictable ways. New IT trends open new opportunities for businesses to expand their market and user base.

Here is a list of business IT trends of 2020 to help you architect business systems that are designed to respond to new age IT trends:

• Artificial Intelligence: AI is not a new trend but it keeps widening its parameters. AI has now found applications in different fields of business operations. The latest AI business trends include smart assistants, chatbots and self driving cars. In 2020, AI can be experienced in every digital market; from cybersecurity to healthcare.

• Edge Computing: With an increase in the number of devices connected to the internet and each other, there has been an increase in demand on server infrastructure. The demand is even higher for video camera-based services that require constant video streaming. This has laid the pathway for edge computing. Edge computing is a computing network where computing is done at or near the data source to reduce the processing time. Video providers can benefit from this trend for reducing server costs and adding core functionalities that were not previously possible.

• Autonomous Vehicles: While it may take some time for the autonomous vehicles to carve a niche in the market, they seem to be a promising upcoming trend in B2B and consumer markets. This trend is sure to have an impact on the way automobile businesses operate as they will have new investment opportunities such as manufacturing of autonomous vehicles and developing new services/features that cater to health, entertainment, comfort, and productivity of the person being driven in the autonomous vehicle.

• 5G: 5G is being hailed as the base of new business revolution due to the speed and capabilities it promises. It has led to new investment opportunities for carriers and mobile device manufacturers. Additionally, it promises to enhance the surfing capabilities of the users thus, allowing businesses to offer applications with more features, plug-ins and usability.

For more information on Web Applications for enterprises, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654.        

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IT management is the discipline of monitoring and administering the information technology systems of an organization including the hardware, software, and networks. The main focus of IT management is to find a way to make information systems more efficient and facilitate business growth. Thus, improving IT management can lead to a successful business.

Here is a four-step approach to improving IT management:

Level 1 (Re-Master The Basic Troubleshooting): If an organization is facing problems such as-

• IT support is overloaded
• IT service outages are not resolved timely
• Growing ticket backlog
• Long downtimes disrupting business workflows
• End users are not happy with IT

Level 1 approach is essential for such organizations. The motive is to analyze current troubleshooting practices and makes them more effective. The organization needs to make use of thorough diagnostics, IT support knowledge sharing, and IT infrastructure tracking. The end result involves redesigning the IT processes, redefining IT guidelines, and adjusting the processes to fit the needs.

Level 2 (Prevent IT Failures): Level 2 approach suits the organizations facing issues such as-

• Troubleshooting is fine but IT service availability can’t be improved
• Increasing number of incoming IT tickets
• Growing costs incurred on resolving IT issues
• IT support agents have to spend much time on manual data entry in the ticketing tool

Level 2 approach facilitates preventive IT service management, tracking events/changes in IT infrastructure, managing available IT assets, and automating IT support tasks. It focuses on rooting out the cause of similar incidents and automatic reporting of abnormalities in IT infrastructure to free the IT support for resolution tasks. Proper visibility of IT assets enables timely and efficient distribution among end-users resulting in increased IT service availability. This reduces the IT/business disruption and the costs involved.

Level 3 (Improving IT Services): Level 3 approach is suitable for businesses that extensively depend upon IT to execute business processes. Also, it is the suited solution if the business organization faces any of the following problems-

• No set guidelines for reviewing & improving IT services
• IT costs are very high
• IT service agents can’t conform to strict SLAs

Level 3 focuses on timely updating IT services in order to keep them relevant. It also suggests making use of automation and machine learning for improving IT service management accuracy & productivity.

Level 4 (Merging IT & Corporate Strategies): In a dynamic business environment, it is important to synchronize IT & business strategies for uninterrupted growth. This will facilitate the quick introduction of new IT services whenever a business change occurs.

For more information on a stepwise approach to improving IT management for businesses, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654.

Cognitive cloud computing is a technology platform that combines machine learning, reasoning, natural language processing, speech, vision, and human-computer interaction in a way that mimics the functioning of a human brain. It facilitates better human decision making by allowing thorough data analysis.

For most of businesses, data collection and analysis are important to grow their market and have an insight into the customer experience. Cognitive cloud computing can help in an in-depth analysis of data for making informed and faster decisions. It also allows bringing together the data sets of different departments of an organization for facilitating holistic ideas for business growth.

Here are some applications of cognitive cloud computing in different business aspects:

• Chatbots: Chatbots understand the contextual meaning of communication to simulate a human conversation. The programs use a machine learning technique called natural language processing that helps in receiving human input, analyzing it, and providing logical answers. Cognitive computing helps the chatbots in implementing intelligence in communication like understanding user’s requirements based on past interactions, etc.
• Sentiment Analysis: It is a branch of science that deals with understanding the emotions conveyed in a communication. Unlike humans, it is difficult for machines to understand conversational aspects such as tone, intent, etc. In order to facilitate this, cognitive computing is used to feed the training data of human conversation to the machines and then analyze the accuracy. This helps businesses in understanding and analyzing user communications including social media interactions such as tweets, comments, reviews, complaints, etc. for delivering better customer service.
• Face Detection: Businesses are incorporating face detection for ensuring higher levels of system security. The security feature has numerous applications such as securing user access, security lockers, mobile phones, etc. The underlying process of face detection is an advanced image analysis. This is facilitated by a cognitive system that uses data like facial structure, contour, eye color, etc. to differentiate it from others. While traditional systems used 2D images, advanced cognitive computing techniques make use of 3D sensors that result in higher accuracy.
• Risk Assessment: Risk management and analysis is a major part of businesses. It requires a thorough analysis of market trends and historical data to predict uncertainties involved in an investment. However, big data analysis alone is not sufficient to do a thorough risk assessment. It also requires intuition, experience, gut feel, and behavior analytics. Thus, it becomes essential to make algorithms intelligent. This is made possible by cognitive computing as it combines behavioral data with market trends for generating meaningful insights that can be further analyzed by experienced analysts.
• Fraud Detection: Businesses need to detect frauds or anomalies in order to avoid situations that may cause financial loss or hamper brand image. This can be done with the help of programs that can analyze past data to understand perimeters to be used for judging a transaction. This is another business application of cognitive computing that involves techniques such as Logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, clustering, etc.

For more information on business applications and benefits of cognitive computing, call Centex Technologies at (972) 375 - 9654.