The Benefits of Software as a Service

Cloud, Cloud Storage, Ophtek, SaaS, Software as a Service, , ,
31
Mar 2020

One of the most useful aspects of cloud computing lies within the domain of Software as a Service (SaaS). But what is SaaS and what can it do for you?

Competition within business is fierce and it’s important that your organization maximizes its productivity. Even a small percentage increase in productivity can make a big difference. And that’s why many businesses are working with SaaS models. It’s a software strategy which allows you to make applications available over the internet through a third party host. The concept may sound straightforward, but it’s also a powerful one which is packed full of benefits.

To help you understand SaaS in more depth, we’re going to take a look at what it is and the benefits it can deliver.


What is SaaS?

SaaS is a distribution model which allows companies to make their applications available over the internet. The application is hosted by a third party host (such as Microsoft, Oracle and SAP) which provides customers with access to a single copy of the app. All customers have access to the exact same application and, therefore, the same features and upgrades. And, given that this is a branch of cloud computing, customers also have the option of storing their data in the cloud as well as on local storage.

The Benefits of SaaS

SaaS models have been adopted by all manner of organizations be they small or large. And this rapid take up rate is one that has been fuelled by the following benefits:

  • Accessibility: The remote access aspect of SaaS makes it highly accessible. All that a customer needs to connect to the application is an internet connection and a PC, laptop or smart device. This opens up your service to a much larger audience and eliminates the need to go through the rigors of a lengthy software installation process. 
  • Easy Updates: Traditional routes of firmware upgrades and patches have involved individual install processes by IT professionals. This has reduced productivity due to the time taken to complete the install. But SaaS puts an end to this. As all customers are accessing the same software, only one update needs to be completed by the application owner. This ensures that all customers receive the same upgrades at the same time with the minimum of fuss. 
  • Quick Startup: SaaS applications are already installed in the cloud and guarantee a swift start up process. There’s no need to watch an install progress bar, the software is available straight out of the box. It will also come fully configured and allow your customers to start getting productive almost instantly. 
  • Low Investment: The initial costs associated with software applications are noticeably reduced in SaaS. Instead of a one-off licensing fee, SaaS applications tend to work on a subscription model. There’s also the added bonus of the third-party host managing the infrastructure which houses the software. Again, this minimizes any initial costs and makes for an attractive software package.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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5 Ways to Improve Your IT Efficiency

communication, IT Efficiency, Office IT, Ophtek, , , , ,
17
Mar 2020

Using the power of IT is one of the surest ways to enhance your productivity. But there’s a good chance that there’s still room for improvement.

It’s likely that IT already has a major presence in your organization. You may even feel as though you’re already operating at a high level. And, no doubt, you are. But technology advances at a rapid pace. And it’s plentiful. Therefore, it’s very easy to miss a new product or a new tip. However, it’s these missed opportunities which could give you a competitive edge. And that’s what every business strives for.

How to Improve Your IT Efficiency

It’s important to have a strategy in every aspect of your organization. And IT is no different. In fact, the demands of modern business make it a priority. So, to help you maximize your IT operations, we’re going to share 5 ways to improve your IT efficiency:

  1. Employee Training: As we’ve already touched upon, technology advances quickly. And it’s this progressive nature which can leave employees trailing behind. As a result, your productivity can take a major knock. But it doesn’t have to be like this. Your employees are your most valuable asset, so you need to respect this. And the best way to achieve this is with regular IT training. Work with them to identify any relevant gaps in knowledge and then arrange group training. 
  1. Improve Communication: Time is money in the world of business, so it’s critical that you make savings where possible. And IT is the master of time-saving solutions, particularly when it comes to communication. One of the simplest ways to improve IT efficiency is by adopting an internal communication platform. These platforms, which include Skype and Google Hangouts, allow employees to chat, share documents and collaborate. And all without leaving their desks. 
  1. Enhance Your Security: It’s always important to value security in the world of IT, but not enough organizations take it seriously. And this puts them at risk of significant threats such as ransomware and data breaches. This is why it’s crucial that you enhance your security. Simple steps such as increasing the strength of passwords and securing your hardware can improve your security no end. 
  1. Embrace Remote Working: The rise of remote working has been swift and has redefined the workplace. Employees who are not based in the office, such as salesman, can now connect with your IT systems from anywhere in the world. It’s one of the simplest ways to maximize your IT productivity. All your workers need is an internet connection. So, make sure that you establish a remote working policy which fits in with your existing IT systems.
  1. Keep Up to Date: Not every development in the world of IT will be of interest to your organization. But it’s important that you keep up to date with the many changes taking place. It’s possible that even a slight development in a specific area, such as data storage, could make a difference to your IT operations. Thankfully, it’s not difficult to achieve this. Just make sure that you bookmark several IT news sites and regularly check the headlines.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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5 Quick Tips for Maintaining Your PC

Backup, Best Practices, Company Updates, Ophtek, PC Tools, Updates, , , , ,
31
Dec 2019

Like any other electrical product, PCs are prone to failure due to the number of components involved. But a well maintained PC is likely to last longer.

Your organization’s PCs are likely to be crucial for your day-to-day operations, so you need to make sure they are in good working order. After all, you wouldn’t let your car fall into a state of disrepair. You would make sure your car is regularly serviced and maintained to make sure you could continue getting from A to B. And a PC is no different. But, thankfully, you don’t need to pull on your overalls or take your PC to a garage to maintain it. You can complete regular maintenance’s quickly and easily from your office.

How to Maintain Your PC

If you want to keep your PC working to its full potential and optimize its productivity then make sure you practice the following:

  1. Declutter Your Startup: When your PC starts booting up it also starts loading all the programs which are defaulted to load at startup. However, not all of these are necessary. And the more programs that need to load then the longer the startup time. Therefore, head to Task Manager on your PC and click on the Startup tab. From here you can remove any unnecessary programs and speed up your boot time. 
  1. Install all Updates: It’s important that all recommended updates are installed immediately. These updates aren’t just related to security issues. Sometimes they are released by developers in order to fix bugs in their software and enhance the product. Ultimately, an update is one of the quickest ways to optimize your PC and ensure that it’s well protected. 
  1. Always Shutdown Correctly: The shutdown process on a PC can be a frustrating affair due to the time taken, but it’s important that you follow this procedure to the letter. It may be quicker to turn the PC off at the mains, but this approach can lead to corrupted files. Instead, make sure you save all your files and close each application down before waiting for the PC to run through the shutdown procedure. 
  1. Carry out a Registry Clean: Your PCs registry is a giant database which logs everything that happens on your PC. If you install a program or change your password then this is logged in the registry. And, over time, the amount of data stored here starts building up. This may not be too much of a problem with newer PCs, but if you’re running an older PC this can create performance issues. However, you must proceed with caution and it’s recommended that you use a highly rated registry cleaner to perform the clean to avoid issues. 
  1. Delete Unwanted Programs: It’s natural that your PC will gradually accumulate more and more installed programs over time. But not all of these programs remain relevant. And if you are running programs that are no longer relevant then they are putting an unnecessary strain on your PCs memory. So, every couple of months, make sure that you evaluate the programs installed on your PC. This will give you a clear idea of what can be uninstalled and what can remain. The result will be improved performance for those that remain.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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How to Introduce the IoT into Your Organization

Internet of things, IOT, IT Best Practices, IT Plan, ,
21
Aug 2018

 

There’s a good chance that the benefits of the Internet of Things (IoT) could make a huge difference to your organization, but how do you get started?

With around 30 billion IoT connected devices due to be in use by 2020, the IoT is clearly here to stay and the benefits in business are immense. Improved communication, enhanced automation and increased productivity are just a few of the benefits on offer. And, if you’re in business, then you’ll know that these benefits alone are crucial.

However, the IoT world is still relatively new and many organizations are apprehensive when it comes to introducing it to the workplace. Rather than leaving you adrift as your competitors surge forward, we’ve put together some tips on how to introduce the IoT into your organization.

Meet with IT Professionals and Create a Plan

The IoT may seem fairly straightforward in terms of how all the various devices connect, but the truth is that the IoT can be highly complex. Therefore, you need to speak to IT professionals. With their years of expertise in IT innovation, they will be able to recommend the correct technology and how you can begin to implement this into your existing IT network. Otherwise, you will never experience the full range of benefits that IoT can provide.

Understand Why You Need the IoT

If you want to embrace the IoT then you need to understand what it can do for your organization. There are, as previously stated, many benefits on offer from adopting the IoT into your operations, but not all of them will apply to your needs. And that’s why you need to identify the key problems within your business that the IoT can solve. Perhaps it’s increased productivity, perhaps it’s enhanced data processing. Either way, in order to implement the IoT correctly, you have to understand these problems from the very start.

What Can Your Current Setup Provide?

Introducing the IoT doesn’t mean that you have to start from scratch when it comes to your existing IT infrastructure. Many business owners, however, worry that the costs will spiral out of control, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Sure, there may be the need for certain upgrades to be made to accommodate IoT technology, but plenty of your existing technology will be able to provide a seamless transition. Carrying out a full analysis of your equipment and understanding its capabilities will allow you to identify the areas which need updating.

Establishing Good Staff Training

As with any new form of technology, the IoT will require a certain level of training for your staff. Their existing knowledge of the IoT and the level of interaction they will have with the IoT in your organization will vary, but training is essential. This can be offered either in-house or by external training courses that specialize in training in IoT practices. Once your staff has received the relevant level of IoT training required you’ll find that the integration process is as hassle free as it can be.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Best Ways to Use the Internet of Things in Business

Internet of things, IOT, Productivity, , ,
26
Jun 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we do business thanks to the accessibility on offer, but are you getting the best out of it?

More and more organizations are using IoT devices to help improve their business operations and it’s estimated that around 31 billion IoT devices will be in use by 2020. The aim of these IoT devices, in business, is to maximize productivity and help organizations deliver fantastic customer experiences. Understanding how they can achieve these objectives, however, isn’t as simple as just plugging the devices in and letting them get to work.

To help you appreciate which areas of your business they can improve, we’ve put together a list of the best ways to use the IoT in business.

Analytics

Due to the vast range of IoT devices now available, it’s possible for businesses to measure and analyze almost anything you can imagine. Say, for example, you want to understand the usage of forklift trucks in your warehouse. Sure, you could ask people in the warehouse for anecdotal evidence, but this would only be a rough estimate. If, however, you have an IoT sensor which measures movement, you can calculate some seriously precise data. And, with this data, you can then analyze it more closely and determine much more effective solutions for improving your forklift usage.

Understand Your Customers

Many IoT devices allow you to monitor the behavior of your customers and this gives you a significant edge in understanding their preferences. By collecting based on your customers’ usage of your products, you can begin to build a list of insights which detail their exact needs of your customers. This gives you the opportunity to enhance your products and make them much more beneficial to your customers in future. Accordingly, customers are more likely to stay loyal due to the enhanced experience.

Asset Management

Tracking and maintaining assets has always been a difficult task for businesses, but the IoT has opened up new opportunities that promise to make it easier than ever before. Temperature monitoring devices, for example, can be installed into refrigerators and data then transmitted to an online portal. This can provide immediate and instant reference data all in one place so, if you work in a store with numerous refrigerators, you can immediate see how they are performing without having to go and check each individual unit.

Enhance Your Supply Chain

A good supply chain is crucial for good business and the IoT can deliver some amazing benefits for your supply chain. The IoT allows constant updates to be logged regarding your supply chain and this ensures excellent visibility for stock and products. Delays on parts and other stock issues can be identified exceptionally quickly and this means that these problems can be solved and improved just as quickly. With a more efficient supply chain in place, you’ll also be able to deliver a much better customer experience.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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