The Most In-Demand Online Marketing Skills for 2017

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

As we approach the end of the year, it helps to take the time to evaluate where you stand in your industry. Whether you are a new online marketer or you are far more experienced, taking the time to comprehend and understand what online marketing skills are going to be most in-demand in 2017 is very useful. Knowing what people are likely to be looking for over the next 12-14 months helps you to start adjusting your skills and your mindset to make sure you arrive for the latest trends ready.

Importantly, as a contemporary marketing assistant or agent it is incremental to know where you should be looking to expand to so that it helps you ensure that 2017 can start as positively as possible, here are some of the most likely in-demand online marketing skills for 2017.

Marketing Demands Are Smaller

One thing to notice is that people aren’t looking for campaign managers, nor are they as obsessed with SEO and SEM at the moment. That isn’t to say they are no longer important because they are still mainstays of the industry, but many companies have their fill or requirement. Even if they don’t, they can probably find someone easily enough locally now due to the massive rise in people offering these particular services.

If your primary skill base is in SEO then you might want to have a little look at branching out. Many other skills are going to become very useful in the near future, which can help you supplement an increasing demand in similar parts of the online marketing industry.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to close your SEO store – there’s no death of SEO on its way. Content will likely always be a constant requirement in marketing, but you should never just presume that the market will stay the same as it is just now. 

People Need Designers

Are you good at designing user interfaces for websites and apps? Then you are the hot property at this moment in time. People are killing to get their hands on a quality user interface designer, meaning that many people will be wanting to interact with your business in 2017. If you are a talented designer looking for a way to get into the world of working in online marketing, then 2017 is the best year to consider making a move into becoming a UI designer.

The role itself allows you to become a central part of many businesses marketing, as a good and effective UI is needed for anyone who wants to see consistent growth and usage from any tools they use.

If you want to make sure that you have reserved your spot in the long-term online marketing world, then it’s time to start considering just how creative you can be when it comes to making user interfaces for as many different things as you can in the industry.

Presentation Really Matters

Data is becoming a major part of business today, and many businesses want to make sure that they are giving people access to data that is easy to take in. Nobody wants to look at massive graphs or huge sums of content just thrown at them all at once.

So, what you should do instead is aim to become the best local online marketer that you can in data presentation. From infographic design to giving people cool and easy to share graphs and PDFs, you can easily make sure that you have a role as someone who can translate data into a classy design.

Mobile Apps Still Rule

Just as UI and data presentation have been around for a while, so will mobile app development. As the years go by, though, mobile development is going to change a lot and give us access to far more intricate designs and possibilities. As an online marketing expert you need to be pretty good at handling mobile app layouts and designs if you wish to make the most of your present situation.

People are going crazy for reliable designers or developers at present, so it’s up to you to get involved and take advantage.

Statistical Analysis is Needed

Just as companies need to present data in an easy to take in way, they need to see that data in the first place in a way that they understand. If you can manage stats and you don’t mind being able to draw accurate conclusions from the information, then you can use your skills as a data analyst to thrive in 2017.

People are going to be pushing that extra mile to make sure they can greatly improve overall statistical analysis. If you have a knack for reading and understanding key data, then you should be offering your services out.

Those who can interpret and offer recommendations from statistics and data are invaluable in the modern era. People are far more secure and comfortable in talking about stats today, and this extra analysis makes that simple.

Smart Storage Systems and Management Teams Are Vital

Businesses today are dying to get in people who they can trust to help them securely manage and store data for the long-term. If you are a storage systems expert or manager, and you want to maximize your chances of being a genuine success, then this is a role that is going to become increasingly in-demand as 2017 goes on.

People need to have access to storage to keep all of the vast information and data they need to run accurate analytics and business performance. Your role, then, is to be the individual who they turn to in 2017 for appropriate assistance.

Summarizing

Using all of this information you can easily begin to make the right calls regarding what your next step in online marketing will be. As the demand change and expertise required alters, a path will likely open up for you to exploit in the future – will you be ready to do so?

THERE IS MORE: Top 3 Tech Tools for Managers That Mean Business

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*by andreascy*

The Growth of Cloud Computing Markets

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

The cloud computing markets are growing at a rapid pace. People prefer to incorporate cloud technology in their day to day work because of its convenience. According to the reports of IDC, public cloud spending is expected to grow to more than $195 billion in 2020 from $96.5 billion in 2016.

Cloud computing is growing at a robust rate at the moment and it has a promising future. If you are making plans to invest on a technology based company, you are provided with a variety of advantages, thanks to cloud computing. 

What Exactly is Cloud Computing? 

The concept of cloud computing is somewhat abstract. However, it is not as difficult to understand the heart of it. The service providers that offer cloud services help people to store applications and data remotely on servers and then access those files through the internet at any time they want. In other words, you can simply upload videos, documents and photos to the cloud and retrieve them at your convenience. 

Cloud computing consists of three main services. They include: 

• Software as a Service (SaaS) – Software as a Service is associated with the licensure of applications to customers and it is deployed online. The licenses are provided in two different mechanisms as on demand or pay as you go model. 

• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) – Infrastructure as a Service includes offering everything from servers to operating systems through IP based connectivity. 

• Platform as a Service (PaaS) – Platform as a Service can be considered as the most complex layer of cloud based computing. It offers a platform, which can be used to create software. The developed software is then delivered to end customers through the Internet. 

What Factors Are Responsible for the Growth of Cloud Computing Markets?

The development of cloud based services has delivered a variety of benefits for companies that belong to many different sectors. For instance, companies have the opportunity to use software from any device by just connecting to the cloud. The connection can easily be established through an Internet browser or a native app. This can help individuals to carry over their settings and files to other compatible devices in a seamless manner. 

As a result of cloud computing, people are able to check for their emails on any computer or mobile device. In fact, most people prefer to store their files on cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox. On the other hand, some people use cloud services to back up their photos, music and files. This way they can make sure all their files are immediately available through the cloud service when the hard drives crash. 

Cloud computing markets can be divided into several categories. All these markets have seen an unprecedented growth over the past couple of years. These markets include: 

• Centralized Data Centers – Along with the increasing demand for cloud computing, a lot of centralized data centers have been established. Necessary plans have been taken in order to construct many more in the future as well. Some of the industry giants such as Amazon have figured out that the future lies within the cloud. As a result, they are investing billions of dollars on the development of data centers throughout the country. According to the reports of Reuters, Amazon is planning to make cloud computing as the largest part of its business in the future. 

• Security – Security is one of the major concerns associated with cloud computing. People tend to store their sensitive information on the cloud and they are always concerned about the security. As a result, a lot of companies have started offering cloud security solutions for the people in need. Qualys and Websense can be considered as perfect examples of the aforementioned trend. 

• Storage – Modern world people do not prefer to store information on local storage devices such as hard drives. Instead, they prefer to seek the assistance of cloud based solutions as they can save the files to a remote database. This can be considered as the main reason behind the popularity of Vendors such as Dropbox and Mozy. Now people can easily move all their files to a secure storage cloud in a convenient manner. It is even possible to sync the files stored in your hard drive with the cloud automatically. 

• Cloud Based Applications – Cloud computing offers a variety of services for the people as well. Software as a Service holds a prominent place out of them. Taleo, SalesForce and Keynote Systems are some world famous companies, which offer their services through cloud computing technology. A lot of other companies are making plans to offer their services to the people in need via cloud computing. This is one of the most convenient methods available for the software developers to let their end users access the applications with slow internet connections. 

• Virtualization Technology – Cloud based solutions are in a position to deliver some sort of application technology or desktop virtualization. VMware and Citrix are ideal examples for leading vendors who offer virtualization technology through cloud. 

Apparently, based on the demand of the public, a lot of money is being invested on cloud computing markets by the industrial giants. According to the financial predictions of IDC, revenue generated by worldwide cloud computing markets would rise to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.4% over the 2015-2020 forecast period. Currently the industries at the forefront of public cloud services spending consist of discrete manufacturing, banking, and professional services, which makes for nearly a third of total worldwide revenues in 2016. 

In respect to the five year period predicted by IDC, the industries that are expected to reach the fastest revenue growth are media, telecommunications, and retail. Nevertheless, all 20 industries who share profiles in the spending guide will see revenue growth of more than 100% over the forecast period. The cloud computing markets are thus rapidly expanding on a daily basis and it would be a great idea to invest on these markets, given that you have this sort of budget.

Summary 

The future of cloud computing looks promising and it is expected to grow exponentially in the future. It is predicted that cloud computing would establish itself in the IT industry. Given the technological progress and research currently taking place, people will also be able to experience an explosion of new solutions in cloud computing markets. It remains to be seen how this technology will continue to grow.

*by andreascy*

There Is a Shirt Out There for Everyone

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Everyone comes in different sizes. It can be hard to find the right size shirts for you, especially if you differentiate of the “standard” male. Maybe you are a tall man with long arms that don’t fit into any regular fit dress shirts for men. Or maybe you rather go with classic fit shirts. Nothing wrong with a little class.

You will need a good shirt to look good for work or that dinner, so better get one now. Want to know more on what to look for?

Regular Fit Dress Shirts for Men

Regular fits dress shirts for men are a little wider around the waist and the sleeves. They leave plenty of room for you to move around in. They are and stay comfortable, even on those long work days. You have them in all sizes, colors and patterns. A few fine choices to wear are a light blue and white striped shirt for example. Wear a regular fit dress shirt when you are up for a work day at the office. 

Men’s Extra Long Sleeve Shirts

Are your arms too long for normal shirts? Time to get some men’s extra long sleeve shirts! You can find both slim fit and regular fit shirts with extra long sleeves. Regular fit shirts are by far the most comfortable, though! Just like normal regular fit dress shirts you have a very broad choice in sizes, colors and patterns for those shirts with extra long sleeves. Go for something a little bright and wear a shirt with pink, green and white in a checkered pattern. Cheerful and yet subtle. 

Classic Fit Shirt

Do you like it a little authenticity? Classic fit shirts have just the right amount of class and give off an authentic feel. Making it possible for you to look your best. They are comfortable and roomy and men have been wearing this kind of shirt for centuries and they have always looked good in them. Wear a classic fit shirts when going out to a romantic dinner with your wife, a meeting with your boss or when you are meeting new clients. A classic fit shirt is also perfect if you are giving a speech or an elevator pitch. Try wearing a nice classy white shirt with a black or dark blue tie.

The Best Colors and the Best Patterns

It’s not enough to just wear the right shirt. It has to have the right color and pattern for whatever you are about to do. You can’t go to a dinner with clients in a murky green blazer with a mustard yellow striped shirt. That is just not the right choice, especially not when you are trying to dress to impress. No, what you want is something quite the opposite. Just a regular day at the office? Wear a shirt with a light color. Think pastels or white. Shirts with just one color or a pattern of either checkers or stripes are the best. 

Meeting with the boss? Go classy with a white shirt and a black or dark colored tie. Don’t wear a grey shirt, as those are a little bleak, but you could definitely go for a grey blazer. When you have a meeting with your boss nine out of ten times you will want to impress him or her. Keep that in mind when picking what shirt to wear in the morning. 

Got a fancy gala to attend? Go for wealthy colors like purple and red, or for the classical colors like black, white and grey. Even better is to mix it up a little. A grey blazer can never go wrong and with a beautiful bright, but subtle purple or red shirt underneath it you will steal the show. For those of us who don’t like to stand in the spotlights it is an option to go for a black blazer, with a nice white and cream colored striped shirt and a black tie. 

Measurements 

Every shirt has a certain standard measurement. Get to know what your measurements are so you can find the right shirt of whatever type you like for you. It might be a good idea to get your shirts hand tailored for your measurements so you will be able to wear a shirt that fits you perfectly, no matter what shape or size you are. There is a perfect shirt out there for everyone. Now it’s time to find yours!

WHAT TO READ NEXT: The Best Men’s Dress Shirts to Wear this Summer

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*by andreascy*

The Best Men’s Dress Shirts to Wear this Summer

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Don’t you love the summer? Lovely hot weather, a holiday in sight, being able to barbecue at night. Summers are amazing, even when you’re at the office. So dress for the occasion with a few of the amazing men’s dress shirts we have coming up for you.

Don’t worry, you can roll up those sleeves when it gets too hot during those long summer days. Wear some regular men’s dress shirts, go amazing with Thomas Masons shirts or wear an exclusive handmade men’s slim fit dress shirt!

Men’s Dress Shirts 

Your office attire isn’t ready until you have a great men’s dress shirt to wear. The options are limitless. Go with or without a pattern, in all colors of the rainbow or just one. Dare to be different and go with a striped shirt with bright colors like pink, purple or green. Great for those summer days. Or go dark and keep it classic with colors like dark blue mixed with black stripes, a dark purple shirt under a nice quality blazer or a red shirt with a gorgeous black tie with gold stripes. Those are especially good options for a dinner with colleagues in the warm evenings. 

Thomas Mason Shirts 

Thomas Mason shirts are definitely a great choice for this summer. Want to know why? Thomas Mason is a great, over 275 years old company that offer amazing quality fabrics, with great original and sometimes even eccentric patterns and colors. Their fashion designers get inspiration for their shirts from anywhere and everywhere, like for example the English landscape, an album of the beatles and of course from the themes that the season bring with them. They are loyal to their British heritage and that is something you can definitely see when looking at the work they did when they made in collaboration with J. Crew. Thomas Mason shirts have an authentic, classical feel that not many brands out there have, plus they make sure to use a wide variety of colors and patterns. That is what makes this brand a must have and must wear around the office this summer. 

Want Something Exclusive this Summer? 

A few amazing handmade men's slim fit dress shirts shouldn’t be missing from your wardrobe. Handmade shirts give you an exclusive one of a kind edge. Get it hand tailored exactly to your measurements so it’s comfortable for those long summer days when you need to be anything but uncomfortable. Have a beautifully handmade slim fit shirt will also give you that extra boost of confidence you might need for that meeting with your boss, investors or clients. Or maybe to finally ask that girl out you have been wanting to ask out on a date for a long time. She won’t be able to resist you in a handmade men’s slim fit dress shirt! 

What Colors Should you Wear this Summer?

The colors you wear are very important. There is a lot of scientific research that shows that our brains associate colors and emotion. For example: White gives people a very neutral, sterile feeling, while blue gets people relaxed, focussed and awake. Why do you think Facebook and Twitter are blue? That is some fine psychology at play right there. You can use these proven scientific facts to influence your clients, colleagues and even your boss a little. Wear a shirt in a certain colour to make them associate you with a certain feeling. Of course, they won’t suddenly start to like you if you wear a certain colour, but it will get you in the right direction. And, you can use it to influence yourself, too! Got the feeling you are trapped in a cubicle too much? Wear a green shirt. Your brain has associated the colour green with the great outdoors, so by seeing the colour green you will immediately start to feel way less trapped. This may come in handy when it’s a hot summer day and you’re working inside an office. 

Match It Up 

Match your clothes up. Not just the colours and the patterns of your shirt, but also things like ties and blazers. This summer ties don’t just have to be made of silk. Try a denim tie for a change! Looks great, especially with a nice white or dark blue and white striped Thomas Mason shirt. Wear a nice and classy blazer every once in a while. 

YOU WILL LIKE THIS: How to Dress for Success

 This summer will bring a lot of opportunities and if you look right you will be ready to take them on!

*by andreascy*

You can't Attend a Business Meeting Without the Right Shirt

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Everyone has to attend a business meeting every once in a while. It’s important to make a good impression during every meeting, but you can’t do that without the right shirt. 

Whether it’s a meeting with your boss, your colleagues or new clients, if you don’t wear the right clothes you are probably not making a very good impression. It’s time to change that!

What Shirt Should You Wear During What Meeting? 

Each type of meeting has their own “dress code” so to speak. The clothes you wear, and especially your shirt tells the people you have a meeting with a lot about your attitude towards your work. So, what shirt belongs to what meeting? 

1. A Meeting With the Boss 

It’s time to look as professional as possible. Think Van laack shirts in Van Laack tailor fit. These shirts have an amazing professional feel about them. The Van Laack shirts are completely tailored to fit you smoothly to give you the perfect professional look you need during a meeting with your boss. 

Examples of what to wear: A blue or white shirt with a matching tie. Also consider wearing a blazer in a matching colour. Match a light blue shirt, with a black or grey tie and a dark blue blazer. Or go classic with a white shirt, a black tie and a black blazer. 

2. A Meeting With Your Colleagues 

The number one reason to dress like a professional is so other people perceive you as a professional. Keep this in mind when you have a meeting with your colleagues, because their impression of you matters when it comes to your work relationship. Dress like a professional, but don’t overdo it. Don’t make it too flashy. 

Examples of what to wear: Go with the flow of your colleagues. Do they wear business casual then you should, too. Professional? Wear a tie. Unlike in meetings with your boss a little more colour is appreciated! 

3. A Meeting With Your Clients 

Dress for success and make sure you don’t differentiate too much of what your clients wear. Are they in suits, then you should be as well. Do they wear business casual shirts? You might want to do that, too. This helps to influence the way your clients feel when they have a meeting with you. 

Examples of what to wear: Go for cheerful colours if the dress code of your office allows this. Think something like a white and soft yellow striped shirt, or maybe one with blue plaid. Go casual with short sleeves or stay with long sleeves. Anything is possible. 

4. A Job Interview 

This is a business meeting, too, and as such you need to dress to the occasion. You want to have a good first impression and as you probably know people judge a book by its cover. You need to look professional, like you can handle anything the new job will throw in your way. Especially when you are applying for a job at a large firm. Maybe it’s time to get a handmade men's regular fit dress shirt that will look extremely well on you with a tie and a blazer.

Examples of what to wear: Just as the meeting with a boss you should think grey, white, black and (dark) blue colours as these give you a professional look. This depends on the tone of the company, of course, but especially large firms prefer that their employees dress according to the sometimes unwritten dress code so it’s good to immediately start off on the right foot. 

5. The “Casual” Companies 

As you’ve probably noticed the aforementioned meetings are all focused on companies that have a few strict rules on how their staff should dress. But, what about companies that focus on design and other creative artworks, or small businesses? What do you wear during a meeting of a company that isn’t as strict on dress codes? It’s time to go business casual! Of course this doesn’t go for all small businesses, but most startups and small businesses want to keep that comfortable, familiar feel. Suits just don’t cut it, although a nice dress shirt without a tie might. 

Examples of what to wear: Think about a plaid casual shirt, with for example jeans. Keep it neat and professional, but loosen it up a bit. Roll up those sleeves, keep the top button open. Keep it both casual and professional!

Conclusion

Getting ready for your next business meeting? Then you should look and feel good! Depending on the industry, consider those 5 real life examples that will get you through the meeting. Start dressing for success!

READ ALSO: Tech Gadgets That Make Traveling a Breeze

Do you have any tips? Your help and feedback is always appreciated!

*by andreascy*

Is the Nearshore Trend All about Cost?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

To say that nearshore outsourcing is a hot trend right now is to state the obvious. Whether you are talking about technology, the legal industry, or even the energy space, companies of all scopes and sizes are seriously looking at trading in their offshore outsourcing partners for new nearshore partners. iTexico, a nearshore services provider in Austin, has firsthand experience of this growing phenomenon.

The nearshore trend began in the previous decade but did not start gaining steam until just a few years ago. Now it seems to be spreading like wildfire. As it does, experts are stepping back and asking whether this trend is really just about cost.

I don't think so. Sure, iTexico works with a lot of clients looking for nearshore outsourcing for everything from Android and iOS development to cross-platform titanium development. And yes, many of these clients are doing so because outsourcing is a more cost-effective means of accomplishing their goals. The question is why they choose the nearshore model rather than the traditional, decades-old model of offshore outsourcing.

A Technology Industry Redo

To gain a little insight into what's going on in technology; consider a 2013 piece published by Computer Weekly on its website. The emphasis of the article was the idea that offshore outsourcing was for large enterprises while nearshore was for smaller ones. On its face, the argument seems reasonable. But once you dig a little deeper, you find out there is more to it than that.

The Computer Weekly piece asserted that large companies outsource primarily to save money, making offshore locations like India very attractive. On the other hand, small startups outsource in order to get the talent they need in the shortest time possible. They are not necessarily worried about cost while spending investor money. This view seems rather shortsighted, if not somewhat fatalistic.

Still, if the Computer Weekly argument is true, then there is something deeper here. Big tech companies that only outsource to save money may be shooting themselves in the foot by not taking advantage of new ideas, new ways of doing things, and innovative solutions to old problems. They are stuck in the same rut of using the same outsourcing contractors who never seem to change things up.

On the other hand, startups are all about a redo complete with new ways of thinking. They are not relying on the same outsourcing partners their competitors have relied on for years. Rather, they are looking for partners with the same mindset and goals they have while going above and beyond cost savings, which can be reached through undertaking nearshore practices.

Nearshore Is Fresh and Exciting

iTexico's role as a provider of nearshore services in Austin gives them access to a lot of different clients with a vast array of goals. Yet the one thing that seems common to most of them is a desire for something fresh and exciting. Clients want flexible outsourcing solutions that fit their company culture yet do not sacrifice innovation and quality. Itexico is one of those leading companies that will satisfy these needs through their affiliation with multiple partners in Mexico and therefore the client's interest is immediately piqued.

At the end of the day, evidence shows that nearshore outsourcing is about more than just saving money. Indeed, saving money is a significant factor in motivating companies to outsource, but in the arena of technology and mobile app development, companies also want partners who can deliver cutting-edge results that will lead us all into the future. That is what nearshore outsourcing provides. And by the way, nearshore does it exceptionally well.

KEEP READING: Four Quick Ways to Freshen Up Your Small Business

I have to tell you...we have A LOT of really cool stuff coming VERY soon. 

Stay tuned! 😎💝

*by andreascy*

Microsoft’s Discovery of the Decade: ‘The Nadella’

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Satya Nadella has been working as the CEO of Microsoft for two years now. Throughout the past two years, he has revolutionized Microsoft. Therefore, people even describe Nadella as the Microsoft’s Discovery of the Decade. The main objective of Nadella is to drive the company forward along with a cloud and mobile focus. The decision he took has created a significant impact behind the success of the software giant. 

Microsoft got the opportunity to feel fresh throughout the past few years under the guidance of Satya Nadella. Some people say that Nadella is running the Steve Ballmer’s Microsoft.Under the guidance of Nadella, Microsoft paid special attention towards protecting Windows. Windows Vista came out during the Ballmer’s period and it was not a success. Even though Vista took a long time to hit the market, the company was not able to cater the expectations of the users. It also created a negative impact on the mobile platform of Microsoft. This fact played a major role behind the popularity of iPhones over Lumia.

As we can see, the plans created by Ballmer are not perfect. However, Nadella has executed some of the plans that were created by Ballmer. He takes a whole new approach when executing these plans in order to deliver positive results to the company. Taking Microsoft Office for iPad can be considered as a perfect example.

The strategic vision of Satya Nadella has contributed a lot towards the success of Microsoft throughout the past two years. Microsoft was there on every desktop, but it was not so popular on mobile devices. Nadella noticed the increasing popularity of mobile devices, so he took necessary measures to make Windows popular in the mobile industry. Therefore, Office was released to Android tablets, Apple iPads and even Raspberry Pi devices. At the moment, Office is a popular application that can be found in these devices.

Nadella did not abandon windows. During the Windows 10 Technical Preview release, he said that he has very big hopes and aspirations on the Windows operating system. He dreams about having people want Windows to choose Windows. In addition, Nadella took necessary measures to give life to very capable versions of Microsoft Office. Office has been the greatest selling point of Microsoft throughout the past few years. 

Satya Nadella is a person who is equipped with a tactical vision. In fact, he does not make short term plans. He thinks few years ahead and creates the plans accordingly to deliver positive results with measurable outcomes. Moreover, he can be defined as a person who communicates very efficiently. He can convince his ideas to someone and grab another person’s ideas in an effective manner through communication. 

As you already know, Satya Nadella has guided Microsoft in the correct track under his leadership. The company has seen many different changes in its board level throughout the past two years. Ballmer left his position and Nadella did not discover any crocodile tears from the people who stayed with the company. Few months later, some other board members resigned and they were replaced by suitable candidates by Satya Nadella. However, the senior leaders did not change under the guidance of Nadella. Bill Gates is supposed to devote more time towards the success of Microsoft after his step down. However, it didn’t happen as expected and Satya Nadella got the responsibility of driving the company. Nadella was able to manage everything accordingly and he did not face any hassle. His excellent leadership qualities helped him throughout the difficult times. The secret behind the success of Nadella was that he took necessary measures to attract individuals and maintain an excellent inner circle. This helped the entire top management to stay away from frustration.

Satya Nadella is a person who identified the exact difference in between Windows Mobile and Windows Mobile. It seems a bit confusing. Windows Mobile is the name that is given to the operating system, which powers up Windows smartphones. This operating system can also be found in Intel and ARM based tablets. However, Windows Mobile has a bigger scope. As per Nadella, Lumia phones, Surface tablets, the Band and the HoloLens are expected to be a part of the Windows mobile ecosystem in the future. In addition, the CEO is extremely concerned about developing stable services and applications to be run on Windows mobile devices. In the world we live, people prefer to use their mobile devices over personal computers. However, Windows smart mobile devices are not popular among them, when compared to iOS and Android devices. Satya Nadella has the vision of making Windows mobile popular among smart device users who live in every corner of the world.

 

Satya Nadella is also concerned about cross platforms. Once he stated that Microsoft will not be developing services and software for the platforms of other companies. Instead, he is concerned about developing applications that are compatible with cross-platforms and making them a part of the Microsoft’s DNA. 

Microsoft has started focusing on bundling after the supervision of Satya Nadella. Nadella wants to bundle up all the services and applications that are offered by Microsoft. The business apps developed by the software giant became very successful when they were packaged as the Office Suite. The release of Office 365 in many different suites can be considered as a great example to prove the above mentioned fact. 

Last but not least, Satya Nadella is concerned about being ahead of the customer demand. They have done big mistakes in the past by not paying attention towards the demands of the customers. Nadella has understood these issues and he has taken necessary measures to deliver a service that customers really need. Therefore, Nadella can be considered as the best discovery of Microsoft in the decade. 

SEE ALSO: How to Dress for Success

So, what you guys think? Let us know down below in the comments. Please share and help spread the information! 

*by andreascy*

The History of Voice Recognition Software

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

As you listen to your credit card company's automated phone voice asking you to describe your reason for calling, you probably don't care how the system originated. Why should you? The technology is ubiquitous these days. 

Concerning most technological innovations, the average person simply wants to use them. The newer the toy, the more they want to quickly avail themselves of its promised joy. For commercial entities, it's reduced to how much will the newfangled device contribute to a favorable bottom line.

Stepping Stones

The versatility in speech-recognition devices may be modern, but certain inventive thinkers in Austria, Russia and England were giving form to the concept of mechanical speaking machines as early as the eighteenth century.

For the purpose of voice recognition via electronic equipment, scientists experimenting at Bell Laboratories developed an electronic speech analyzer called a Vocoder in 1928. Homer W. Dudley, the lead scientist, further developed the Vocoder into an electronic synthesizer operated through a keyboard and dubbed it the Voder. Exhibitors from Bell demonstrated the device at the 1939 New York World's Fair. 

The rudiments of modern techniques for speech perception and recognition lay in a talking machine called the Pattern Playback. Built by Franklin S. Cooper and his collaborators at Haskins Laboratories in the late 1940s, the Playback could produce speech sounds from their frequency spectrum. 

The 1950s to the late 1970s saw the creation of the first formant synthesizer, the articulatory synthesizer and concatenative synthesis. These advancements permitted the phonetic quality of vowels to be determined, a major step. Additionally, continuous speech recognition -- eliminating the requirement to pause between words -- began during this period.

In 1988, Apple Computer produced a futuristic video in which the practical application of speech with computers was envisioned. Set for realization in the early 21st century, it defined the ideas of a Speech User Interface and a Multimodal User Interface joined with the representation of intelligent voice-enabled agents.

One underlying contribution to voice recognition not to be overlooked is the Hidden Markov Model. Actually developed in the late 1960s, the HMM permitted researchers to unite diverse sources including language, syntax and acoustics into one probable model. While the technique wasn't sophisticated enough to encompass a wide range of human language characteristics, it did serve as the dominant speech-recognition algorithm during the 1980s. 

Stumbling Blocks

During most of the 20th century, the success of voice recognition researchers was hampered by unsubstantial computing power. Consider that the best available time-sharing system from 1964 to 1983 was the Digital Equipment Corporation's PDP-10, a 36-bit mainframe computer. Still, the system's interactive capability was highly advantageous toward the scientists' goals. The 1990s began to see some of those goals bear fruit.

Listen for It

Technological capabilities became more versatile. Computers were gaining in popularity with the consumer public. Manufacturers were trying to outdo each other in offering faster systems. A monumental development in speech recognition came from Carnegie Mellon University in 1992. Under the leadership of Xuedong Huang, a CMU research team created the SPHINX-11 system. Not only was the system capable of a 5,000 word speaker-independent recognition, it also boasted a mere five percent error rate.

During the 1990s, the first commercially successful speech recognition programs were also introduced. The typical system's vocabulary was more expansive than that of the average human. Dragon Systems was a leading technology with its multiple professional dragon products. It became Nuance via Scansoft's purchase in 2005. Initially, Apple licensed software from Nuance to give voice to its digital assistant Siri.

SEE ALSO: How to Easily Edit and Rename Voice Recordings in iOS

Advanced voice recognition is now commonplace in diverse channels. Its usage is a reality of the 21st century.

*by andreascy*

The Mobile Kill Switch Is In Effect: Here’s What You Need To Know

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

It’s officially July, which means the California smartphone “kill switch” law is officially effective in the Golden State. If you’re scratching your head right now asking, “What is that? Did I miss something? Is that a dumb question?” You can find the answers here. 

It’s important to stay informed because the impact of this mandate could mean a revolutionary change for the smartphone world and us owners in it. 

What Is A Kill Switch? 

A kill switch is a function featured on a smart device that gives a person the ability to remotely lock a phone and wipe the data on it if needed. The anti-theft measure requires users to input a passcode in a smartphone before it can be unlocked or restored to factory settings. What this new law in California calls for is a mandatory kill switch (think “Find My iPhone” or Android Device Manager) built into all smartphones, placed in active mode automatically. 

Why Is It Happening? 

It’s happening because “Apple Picking,” aka iPhone stealing, has become a crime epidemic due to the great value these handheld gadgets hold. In fact, 3.1 million Americans had their mobile phones stolen in 2013 and an estimated 1 in 3 thefts in the U.S. involves a smartphone. Many victims of these crimes are passengers on public transit and a sizeable portion have been threatened with knives or guns as well as assaulted. In order to deter these events from happening, the government is getting involved. A law has already been put in place in Minnesota and most recently went into effect in the state of California. The thought behind requiring an obligatory kill switch in all phones is that potential thieves won’t even attempt to steal a phone by knowing it will render useless once out of the original owner’s hands. 

How It’s Taking Effect & Who’s On Board? 

The wireless industry is proactively working together with policymakers to ensure that phone software complies to the new law in effect. For California, it’s required that a kill switch be equipped in the device and turned on as a default. Retailers must comply with the statute and if they sell any smartphones without a kill switch in place, they could be fined $500 - $2,500 per each one that doesn’t meet the now standard requirement. 

Major mobile carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon have endorsed the effort, working with app developers and tech manufacturers to develop kill-switch capabilities in the phones they sell at the store. Ultimately the customer is protected in every way, and no additional costs are inflicted upon them with the upgrade. Smartphones with tightened security mean happier consumers and a happy customer for these businesses is always the goal. 

What The Future Holds

With initial steps already taken with similar kill-switch software implemented in the past couple of years, results are proving positive. From the 2013 stats of 3.1 million phones stolen, the number has already dropped by a million to 2.1 million in 2014, according to Consumer Reports. As technology undergoes innovation after innovation, more people will indirectly buy new kill-switch-enabled phones that come to market. The California law is anticipated to be a success and the rest of the nation will follow the leader. 

So now when anyone asks you what a mobile kill switch is, you’ll know that it is an anti-theft feature that has become a requirement in all new smartphones made in California. The overall hope is to prevent the act from happening altogether, thus leading to a world with no more smartphone stealing. This big move by the biggest state in America should spark a domino effect and bring the United States one step closer to a more peaceful, less crime-filled society.

RELATED: Will You be the Next Victim of Laptop Theft?

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*by andreascy*

All The Things You Should Know About Windows 10

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Helloooo everyone! Happy Monday... Happy new day... Happy new week... :) 

If you’re an avid PC user then you are probably familiar with one of the most popular operating systems Microsoft Windows. As you might have guessed, Microsoft has its newest version of Windows (Windows 10) just on the horizon and will be released to the public in late - 2015. 

The new version doesn’t necessarily mean a new user interface. If anyone is familiar with Windows 7 and Windows 8 they may be pleasantly surprised by this updated version. Windows 10 promises to ‘blend’ the two, making for a richer user experience.

What To Expect 

 1. Windows 10 is going to be available on all devices (laptops, desktops, smartphones, phablets and tablets). This will make it easier to access the “Internet of Things” and communicate with everyday appliances. There’s also been talk of integrating the Xbox system into it as well. Microsoft aims to make the interface as similar as possible, across all media devices (by creating universal apps). 

2. Windows 10 will bring back the Start Menu (bigger, better, stronger) with a customizable space for apps. This should make a lot of Windows 8 users happy since there were many complaints about it's “migration". 

3. There is also a new “quadrant” layout system, making it easy to quickly snap-arrange (side by side) 4 apps to a screen. 

4. Windows 10 comes with new touch features for interfaces and environments.

5. Microsoft is also introducing ‘Continuum’, a new system which makes for a more seamless experience between the tablet/laptop combos (switch between touch and non-touch). 

6. Another Windows feature from the past is the command prompt. This updated version is making a comeback and even allows copying and pasting.

7. Internet Explorer is dead! Spartan (codename) Browser, a Microsoft alternative to IE, is here.

8. Windows 10 is clearly targeting Enterprise users through Windows Software Assurance (SA) program.

9. Microsoft takes serious security measures with two-factor-authentication (2FA), storing user access tokens and offering data loss prevention solutions.

10. Finally there's a support for multiple desktops. But... we're going to need bigger screens.

11. Microsoft brings Cortana, its digital assistant, to the desktop supporting features like calling people, reminders, mapping and location, checking weather information and launching apps.

12. Microsoft's HoloLens (Holographic Glasses) with Windows 10 will deliver a next-gen computing experience.

More Information

As of right now the only version that is offering a smooth install is Windows 8.1, so make sure to check with the Compatibility Center before you install Windows 10. Microsoft is also warning that it's not for new users. If you don’t know what an ISO file is, or have a separate computer to install it on, stick with your current version. Because is in its pre-release stages (Technical Preview, Build 9926), it’s going to have bugs in it (some things about the interface may even change). Users can expect a friendlier version upon release, but for now it’s still a work in progress. 

 You should also sign up with the Windows Insider Program. All this really does is absolve Microsoft from any responsibility of deleting anything important off your computer. Just like previous versions of Windows, this will get regular updates as well. 

Another thing to take into consideration is that it's a 4GB download. There is a 32 and 64-bit version available and in several different languages. You’re also going to need a USB drive or a DVD with 4GB of space on it. ImgBurn and Rufus are the two programs recommended for copying the OS to a drive. And if you want a sneak peek then you better get on it. The pre-release version is only going to be available until April 2015.

One other great thing is that you don’t need to invest in hardware upgrades to be able to use the new software. If your PC can handle Windows 8.1 then the Windows 10 Preview shouldn’t be a problem. Your processor needs to be 1GHz or faster and 1GB of memory for the 32 bit version. If you have the 64 bit version then you’re going to need 2GB or memory. Lastly make sure that you have 16GB of free space on your hard drive.

You can never go back. Once you have Windows 10 installed on your computer, you won’t be able to use your recovery partition to downgrade to a previous version of Windows. The only way to downgrade will be to wipe Windows 10 from your system, and do a re-install of the previous version. This is another reason having a back up PC is important, if you make a mistake you can just start over or have all your information safe and backed up. 

Since it’s in the early stages, Windows 10 may not be the right choice for your system just yet. But the changes that Microsoft is incorporating suggest they are paying more attention to the consumer this time around. Your best bet is to stick with your most recent version of Windows, let them work out all the kinks and then purchase it. It’s even a good idea to wait a month or two after the initial release. New software is always going to be a bit buggy right after launch no matter how much testing is done. 

RECOMMENDED: The Battle between Windows, Chromebook and Mac

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Let's talk about Ello, the New Social Network

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hello there my friends, hope you're gearing up for the holiday season. We want to thank you for your ongoing engagement and support around THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY. You showed us your symbolic interest and loyalty in the technology and community. Thanks for everything! 😊

So, what is this 'Ello' everyone's talking about? 

It's a new social network, being called the “anti-Facebook”, that was birthed by a small group of designers and artists. The draw of Ello is its promise to remain ad free and not sell users data to third parties.

Nearly every popular social network is run by ad revenue 

There are many people whose only job is to record your every move online. These are data miners and ad salesmen. Creepy huh? Your information is being auctioned off to the highest bidder. Not only that, but they are reading your posts and keeping tabs on your social connections. All of this is made possible by the service being offered to the user for “free”. Seth Levine, one of Ello’s backers, is so serious about keeping users data private and the network ad free, that if they can’t do things that way they simply “won’t build a business”.

Despite the recent cynicism from the press and naysayers, founder and CEO Paul Budnitz is not budging on his promise to keep the platform ad free. Also the company has filed as a Public Benefit Cooperation, which legally binds them from showing ads, selling user data to a third party, or selling the company to someone that plans on doing so. The long term business plan that his company has put in place, is said to be lucrative as well as principled.

What started out as a private network, has now become public

The social network launched on Aug. 7 with only 90 users and its growth reached viral status shortly after its launch. Once people caught wind of Ello, they wanted in; so a public version was created. Within a week they had grown to where they thought they would be in 6 months (they had reached a steady 40,000 to 50,000 requests an hour). At one point they had to put sign-ups on hold, just to make sure that the site was up to the task of taking on so many users at once. Not to mention this is an invite only network. One can only assume that the everyday user is enticed by the idea of a truly ad free network, that doesn’t sell your information to third parties. 

This growth is partially attributed to Facebook’s recent crackdown on fake names. Ello allows fake names. With no shortage of users or investors, the company seems to be becoming a fierce competitor, in the social network arena. In its most recent round of investing the company has generated $5.5 million in Venture Capitalist’s revenue. Budnitz’s inbox has a new VC everyday that wants to invest in Ello. So the recent claims about Ello not making enough money seems pretty laughable. 

Also with the recent acquisition of $5.5 million in funds, the company plans on being profitable very soon. Ello plans on making its revenue for expansion directly from its users. It is free to join but later Ello plans on releasing some Premium features that can be accessed for a small price. Actually many apps on the market offer free versions of their app and additional features, for a small fee.

Do you Ello?

Right now this is an invite only site. If you can’t wait for an invite then you can go to their homepage and request one. The ones who get in are allotted a certain amount of invitations, usually about 5 to 10. The goal is not to sign up everybody in the world, or even to be a competitor of Facebook, but simply to build a nice community.

So far the social network has chosen to go with a very simple design and color scheme. When users log on, they see a black and white scroll down layout. This is where the user can post status updates, pictures, links and comment on other users’ posts. Their contacts are divided into 2 columns, Friends and Noise and the user can switch between the different “feeds” with the click of a button. 

Conclusion 

Since Ello is just in its early stages, what it is going to grow into, is anybody’s guess. Only time will tell if this is truly a niche market or just a trend. Similar platforms have seen major growth, only to be abandoned in droves, months or years later; remember MySpace? In any case if you’re not into having your every little move tracked, Ello is a perfect alternative. While the popularity may only be short-lived, Ello’s promise to uphold its credo, shall not be.

RECOMMENDED: Online Security Education Program for Your Employees

What are your experiences so far? Post them below. 

*by andreascy*

3 Best Tools For Construction Project Management

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

With the right tools at their disposal, construction managers attempt to deliver projects on-budget and in-time. That’s the exact aim of the developers behind construction project management tools. 

Previously, these software-based tools had a limitation of tying contractors to a computer. But with the development of the cloud & mobile-based applications, the information and applications allow construction company employees to work in collaboration without being tied to a specific location. 

Also, contractors are able to access their information from any portable computer, smartphone, tablet, or device. The only thing required is a decent internet connection. So moving to the cloud and deploying mobile resources have answered many challenges faced by the construction industry. Additionally, modern software solutions are well-equipped in terms of security and can provide better information protection. 

Acknowledging all these developments, here are the 3 best tools construction managers and other users can leverage for seamless construction project management: 

Fippex 

Beyond texts and email, there are tools like Fippex that provide comprehensive collaboration and communication with clients. Such tools also provide documentation on material, order changes, and allowance items. One of the main benefits is improved communication between you and your clients as well as your sub-contractors and your staff.

Fippex also provides an update when a client logs-in, streams a video, executes a document, downloads an agreement, or carries out any other system activity. You can also upload items to keep clients updated on the progress particular projects. Think of Fippex being a central repository of all the content of each project; you don’t have to worry about if everyone has the latest content at hand and it can be accessed 24 hours a day from any remote location over the web. 

Procore Construction Management Software 

This software bypasses the ‘specific machine’ trap by letting users have instant access with a user ID and password. This means every web-connected machine has access to the software, so that your team members can get their work done wherever they are. Procore becomes the central repository for all change orders, RFI responses and statuses, schedule changes, project documents, and photos. Any documents impacting the project can be stored within the cloud.

Users can also contact Procore for dedicated account management, tips on implementation, and customer support. 

Infor CRM 

This software lets you manage relationships with prospects, clients and contractors in a single location; from the start of the contact till project completion, Saleslgoix helps in keeping track of all documentation, interaction, and communications throughout the project’s duration. Users are empowered to share data across departments via a single database that can be accessed from both within and outside the office.

Other features include entering all contacts and communicating with them in a consolidating place, keeping track of client meeting by role, and flagging and setting reminders for client communication about status updates, change orders, RFIs, and more.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Tech for the Sales Team 

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*by andreascy*