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

THE OFFICIAL ANDREASCY will tell you what's happening around the world, on what you care about. If you like it, just 'spread the love'. 😊😉

*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*

How to Dress for Success

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

We all know it’s important to dress for success, especially around the office. The way you dress tells people a lot about how professional you are, what your role is in the company and how serious you take your work. It’s the number one thing people notice during that first impression and therefore it is extremely important to dress the right way. 

Want to know how you can do that? Here are a few business shirts and mens blazers that will get you in the right direction.

Thomas Mason Shirts 

Have you ever heard of Thomas Mason fabrics? We have, and it’s definitely one of our favorite brands. Want to know why? Thomas Mason offers a wide arrange of fabrics that feel professional, authentic and above all classy. All important for the workplace. Together with J.Crew they have designed a ton of great and amazing shirts that range from clear and classy blue to cheery red, green and white stripes. All Thomas Mason shirts are influenced by certain themes, people and places. For example; A few fabrics of their Autumn/winter 2014 line were influenced by the Beatles and the English landscape. 

What does your business shirt say about you 

There is a pattern and color for everyone and whatever shirt you go with tells a lot about who you are and how serious and professional you really are. 

Colors:

Pastel colors - Pastel colors are the most popular colors used for business shirts. Pastel colors give off a relaxed and professional vibe that’s especially important if you work in an otherwise chaotic environment. This also counts for white shirts. 

Dark colors - The only time shirts with dark colors really work is if they are either mixed up with some lighter or brighter tones, or during a special occasion like for example a gala, dinner or fundraiser. Dark colored shirts can be very classy, but only on those occasions. 

Bright colors - People who wear shirts with bright colors often want to get noticed and are confident about themselves and their work. If you need to get noticed during an interview or a meeting make sure you wear something that is bright, but at the same time discrete. If you wear colors that are too bright people might start to view you as obnoxious or unprofessional. 

Patterns: 

No pattern - Shirts with no patterns are by far the most popular and professional shirts out there. This is because they offer no distractions and can be mixed and matched with any men's blazers or other accessories, but more on that later. Go for a shirt with no pattern when you want to look like you are a serious professional. 

Stripes - Big stripes, small stripes, blue stripes or white stripes. You can find all different variations of striped shirts. It’s a very common pattern for business shirts after all. A shirt with stripes can be very classy and professional, as long as it’s not all colors of the rainbow. 

Checkered or plaid - Shirts with a checkered or plaid pattern are a little less professional than stripes or a shirt with no pattern at all. However in an environment that allows business casual they are a perfect fit, because of the cheery combinations of colors used in checkered or plaid shirt.

Men's Blazers

Honestly, a nice business shirt is nothing without a tie and a blazer. Men's blazers come in just as many colors and patterns as shirts. You have them in an even black, blue or grey, or with stripes or without them. Anything is possible and by matching a nice grey blazer with for example a few black examples at the hems of the pockets to a white shirt you will definitely be well on your way to dress for success. 

So what do I choose when I want to dress for success...

You choose clothes you are both comfortable in and that are appropriate for the work you do. If you work at a bank, for example, it’s probably not the best idea to go in checkers. Instead go with some classy grey, dark blue, white or black tones. Do you work at an office that allows business casual and you are confident of yourself? Go with something with bright colors and a striped or plaid pattern. When you dress for success you want to get noticed, and the way you do this is completely up to you!

YOU MIGHT LIKE: Five Keys To Launching A Startup

I'd be happy to hear from you in the comments! Let me know down below what you'd like to read in our upcoming stories. Stay well!

*by andreascy*

The Battle between Windows, Chromebook and Mac

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Hi friends! We are friends by now, right? If you haven't before, I would be grateful if you follow our page on Twitter. Please share with others. 

Chances are that you’re already quite familiar with all the options that the technological world provides us when it comes to computers and their operating system.

In stores, you have a choice between 3 operating systems: OS X by Apple, Chrome OS by search engine giant Google, and Windows from former software monopoly Microsoft. Each OS has their own pros and cons, and when choosing the right fit for you, there are a few things to consider for each one of them. 

Windows

Everyone has probably used a Windows computer at least once in their life. Windows is still the most popular operating system out there, used by companies, governments, and individuals worldwide. Because of its huge user base, Windows has an advantage over the other OS’s, as almost all software on the internet is made for Windows. Another pro of Windows is its usability. Just about everyone is able to use a Windows computer. A final pro is that you have a wide variety of choices when it comes to the computer that runs the OS. 

But on the con side, Windows needs a lot of extras when it comes to security. Its big user base makes it a target for hackers, and it’s incredibly easy to get a virus when surfing the web. Physically, Windows computers are quite heavy when you compare them to Chromebooks and MacBooks. Finally, most of the best working Windows computers are above the $400 mark. This doesn’t exactly make it the most affordable computer out there.

Chromebooks

When comparing Chromebooks and Chrome OS with that of the big guys (Windows and Apple), Google’s computer is still in diapers. Nevertheless, it is growing rapidly in popularity. Chrome OS is based entirely around Google’s web server, Chrome, and this is both a gift and a curse. It’s a gift in that everything goes directly into the cloud, making it impossible for you to lose files even when something happens to the computer itself. Another reason it’s a gift is its usability. Even your grandmother could handle a Chromebook! It’s nowhere near as frustrating as using a Windows computer can be for the older generation. A Chromebook is also highly affordable, with most computers sold at under $400. The screen quality is way better than that of a MacBook. 

However, as I mentioned before, the way the Chrome OS runs is also a curse. You are unable to download any software or hardware onto your Chromebook, and while you are able to make a lot of apps available offline, it definitely can be a pain in the ass. Another definite con of the Chromebook is that you can’t fully download Skype. If you want to use Skype, you have to make do with the IM+ messenger, which comes without the option for video calls. For those of you who can’t live without video calls, there is the option of Hangouts, Google’s very own version of Skype. Google Hangouts comes with a few extras, like free group calls and the ability to draw on the person you’re calling with. 

MacBooks

When Apple decided to make the MacBook Air, they were aiming for something portable and high performance, with a great design and usability. An Apple MacBook is often the first choice for designers, graphic artists, and anyone else who has made it their job to bring you high quality media. All of your files, pictures, etc. get stored into iCloud, which makes it incredibly easy to transfer a file from one device to another. MacBooks are lightweight, which makes them great for travel or just moving about at home. 

The biggest con of MacBooks is their price. Apple has always been about the exclusive feel that you get from their products, and the MacBook Air is the perfect example of this. Prices range from $800 to $3000. So, is it worth the price? Yes, it can be. Contrary to popular belief, Mac OS X is not immune to viruses. The threat just isn’t as big, because like stated before, most hackers focus on Windows computers. Just as with Apple’s other products (like the iPhone and the iPod), it is nearly impossible to make any changes to the MacBook itself, which can be a little impractical when it comes to having to change the battery or upgrading the internal storage space. 

So which one is the best?

That is up to you to decide. Don’t mind a computer that’s completely based around internet and Google? Then the Chromebook will be a great choice for you. Are you a gamer, or do you like to mess around a bit? Then the obvious choice for you is a Windows laptop. A designer or artist? The MacBook is your perfect match.

*by andreascy*

Tech for the Sales Team

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Every salesperson and sales manager has some war stories—the customer from hell, the disastrous sales trip and the awkward moments during conference calls. Add on jet lag, busy schedules and lonely road trips to create a challenging career. But, a tough day is worth it when you land that huge new customer or close the big deals. 

It can be easy for sales people to get overwhelmed with the complexities of prospecting for new business, traveling frequently and preparing for important presentations. That’s where new technology can make a real difference. Current technology can automate critical sales tasks, keep salespeople organized and help them make the best impression with customers.

Cloud Solutions

With sales teams spread out over different territories, busy sales managers need cloud tech solutions to stay competitive. Cloud providers give sales managers a user-friendly console to manage sales data and users from one source. They also provide the security of cloud backup and access from anywhere for busy sales teams on the go. Sync features let sales reps access company sales data securely with their own devices at the office or remotely.

Make Emails and Calls More Efficient

Scheduling is a challenge for busy salespeople on the road. Anything that makes scheduling appointments easier and faster can mean the difference between making 10 calls or 30 calls in a day. Tools like TimeTrade let salespeople embed their availability into sales emails, and save them time and improve their efficiency with a “Click to Schedule” button. It also syncs with Google and Salesforce so sales reps can easily access, control and publish their availability without a lot of back and forth communications.

Moreover, automating outbound calls with tools like XANT, which syncs with Salesforce and provides call analytics, gives your sales people an edge. The cloud-based outbound dialer also uses phone numbers with local area codes to increase the probability of calls getting through.

Never Forget a Thank You

Follow up and showing appreciation are important to sales and customer service. The personal touch of thank you cards adds a layer of courtesy and attention that customers remember, and the little things matter. Although it’s not always easy to find the time for all the follow up you’d like, busy salespeople now can utilize services such as Booked Solid Cards, an online service that sends out personalized thank you cards in your handwriting and with your signature. All they have to do is enter an email, and users report that it costs less than buying and mailing cards yourself.

Use Smartphone Apps to Work Faster and Better

Apps are the latest tools for sales people. Salespeople rely on their company’s customer relationship management system and absolutely need a companion mobile app to access it while away from the office, says Forbes contributor Gene Marks.

Marks also highly recommends a mobile payment processor like Square to collect deposits and payments on delivery, prepayments and customer information up front. This prevents them from waiting for an accounting process like invoicing and statements or follow up collection calls.

Another great app is Xpenser (acquired by Coupa Software), which helps busy salespeople keep track of expenses in real time instead of waiting for a monthly reconciliation where critical expense documentation may be lost or forgotten. Marks reminds busy salespeople that many sales software products already have built in mobile expense management features so they might need to check with their IT department first.

Looking forward to your insight. Leave a LIKE if you agree. 👇✌

*by andreascy*

Making BYOD Work For Your Company

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Many businesses are getting in tune with the digital age, and one of the ways they are doing it is by adopting a bring your own device (BYOD) policy for employees. 

It is a process that has been somewhat slow to be fully adopted by businesses for a few reasons. First, many employers are hesitant to let their employees store private company documents on their own devices for fear that the privacy is compromised. Also, if certain business applications and log ins are used on the employee devices, and the employee leaves to go work for a rival company, they can still view and log in to those applications. 

Through mobile device management (MDM), your business can take the necessary steps in making sure that it will not get burned by instituting a BYOD policy. In fact, the two go hand in hand. In order to execute a safe BYOD policy, companies also need to employ an MDM strategy. Mobile communication companies like BlackBerry have been offering MDM solutions for several years. As the BYOD and MDM trend continue to gain interest, services are becoming even more readily available.

Since BYOD policies are gaining much attention, companies are starting to realize the importance of some of the benefits, such as saving money on hardware, reserving IT resources and creating employee satisfaction. Companies still have to be careful when implementing a BYOD policy because no two companies are identical, so your approach should be tailored. 

Here are a few management best practices to help make BYOD work for your company:

• It is important, first and foremost, to have your employees agree to all levels of a BYOD policy, and do it in writing. This will help all parties maintain a smooth working relationship within the BYOD policy.

• The policy should be clear on what happens if the device is lost or stolen. Companies have the capability to wipe out all of the data associated with their private documents to prevent unauthorized access. 

• Business documents and personal documents need to be divided from each other. This can be done through good application management and programming.

• The policy also needs to clearly state that the devices be compliant with laws and regulations specific to the company’s industry. For example, if you work in government, you need to make sure that by having a BYOD policy, you aren’t violating any legal or confidentiality policies.

• There needs to be a policy about what to do with the device if an employee is terminated for any reason. People change jobs all the time, and you’d hate for them to be able to access all of your company documents after their time there is done, especially if they move on to work for a rival company.

• Lastly, your BYOD policy needs to clearly state that each employee needs to follow specific security guidelines. All personal devices used in a BYOD policy must be secure so as they cannot be exposed to malware, viruses, hacks or any other security breach.

RECOMMENDED: BYOD in Call Centers: Innovation or Disaster?

Since there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to a BYOD policy, there is definitely a way to cater it so it works for your company. 

*by andreascy*

BYOD in Call Centers: Innovation or Disaster?

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Bring Your Own Device policies have been a source of debate in businesses around the world since mobile technology first became commercially viable, and especially since phones and tablets have become so multifaceted. 

The modern era of multitask devices brings this conversation to a new height, with industries in some cases moving to ubiquitous and exclusive tablet PC usage. BYOD becomes tempting to a myriad of businesses, and certainly, there are gains to be had, as ACM Digital Library claims. But do such policies bring more pros or cons to the call center industry, a field where customer privacy and employee morale both play major roles?

Pros of BYOD

Productivity. Having access to personal devices can make life much easier for your employees, especially if you have an abundance of tech-savvy individuals on your staff. BYOD brings flexibility and employee ingenuity to new heights in a way that is quite simply impossible with standardized company equipment.

Modern call centers can benefit from a number of CRM packages and various apps for iPads and other tablet devices - applications which prove most useful when customized and used in an equally familiar, customized device.

Costs. BYOD lets you attain many of the benefits of company-issued technology with a fraction of the costs. You lose the benefits of standardizations and risk a few downsides. However, if you lack the budget for a major tech overhaul but have employees with their own devices, the solution creates itself.

Morale. There are several ways a BYOD policy works to benefit morale. Using a familiar device just 'feels' better to many people. If your workforce is self-motivated and has proper self-control, the 'fun' factor available from personal devices also lends itself to morale boosts.

Being able to relax and read an e-book or play Angry Birds on break can be a benefit, especially in an industry as focused on customer-employee interaction as call centers. Keeping up employee morale can be the single hardest task in running a call center, so anything that helps is worth considering.

Cons of BYOD

Productivity. Personal devices mean problems that your IT guys will never figure out; people manage to screw up their personal machines in ways that are unfathomable. Hours will be lost resolving issues which don't exist, and can't exist, within standard employer-issued systems.

There's also the 'fun' factor. If your workforce lacks self-control and self-motivation, a BYOD policy will lead to people goofing off on the clock. It's impossible to prevent savvy users from finding ways to waste time on their own devices. That often means you risk productivity issues from one angle or another.

Security. Personal devices offer as many avenues of attack as you have unique employee devices. The headache for your IT security team may be too high and the risk not worth the potential gains, especially if you have employees lacking the savvy to safeguard their own devices. Standardized systems offer standardized solutions and a fraction of the risk.

Data Management. Data management is the biggest con to consider as a data center, as Science Direct explains. Your employees deal with sensitive customer data every moment of their work day, and BYOD policies open massive holes in typical data control schemes.

It's trivial to walk away with sensitive information, and it can be difficult to keep track of which devices should and should not have access. You run the risk of a device interacting with your data in an unintended manner and causing disastrous losses.

Overall

The feasibility of a BYOD policy in a call center in many ways depends on your employee base. A self-motivated, tech-savvy population will see gains across the board with little risk. If you have problems with motivation, untrustworthy employees, and IT ignorance, then BYOD may only serve to compound your problems.

MORE ON THE TOPIC: Making BYOD Work For Your Company

Be sure to read more articles for more information. 

*by andreascy*

How Semantic Web Technology Promotes E-learning Efficiency

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Online learning is an emerging paradigm. Having gained success in the wake of social networking and video sharing tools, it is inherently dependent on an e-learning system. 

The World Wide Web or Web 2.0 can be considered as a repository of resources that can be harnessed for educational purposes. Also, tweaks can be added to enhance its efficiency in the learning pedagogy. 

Semantic web is a connotation used to describe protocols that allow machines to decipher the meaning of information present on World Wide Web. Crucial to understand is the fact that web that we use is tailored for human consumption. It is, on a principle level, machine readable but not ‘understandable’.

This represents a limitation of sorts with regards to progress that is being seen in the online education paradigm.

The Need for Semantic Web

Semantic web tools such as Resource Description Framework (RDF), Web Ontology Language and Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) can be used to build a concrete e-learning management model that presents information in a manner a machine can interpret. 

Some online educational aspects have been able to use such informatics to beneficial use. Healthcare is an ideal example of an area where semantic web has been put to good effect. Virtualization has led to heterogeneous data sources emerging, indicating the need for semantic web.

There are some successful models in the status quo that show semantic web can succeed at the data management infrastructure level. Pennsylvania is one of the states that took an early initiative in this regard. It laid down protocols for information integration within semantic web and how it can impact various stakeholders such as educational institutes and businesses. 

This can be seen with the development of electronic health records (EHRs) and how they are advancing the profession of nursing. A specific ‘Semantic Web for Health Care and Life Sciences Interest Group’ was initiated few years back to capitalize on the advancement.

The impact of EHRs and other new technologies can be seen in the accelerated nursing programs in PA, the demand for which has increased in just the last few years. Such programs also focus on decision-making and communication skills, establishing the ever-important connection between improved web integration and better online education.

Benefits of Semantic Web for E-Learning 

Semantic web represents a newer generation of world wide web use, and provides numerous advantages. First of all, it can improve the metadata that is linked with e-learning resources. Secondly, it can also expand the existing opportunities for e-learning customization.

The semantic web integration process presents an adaptive concept of composing new learning materials. From the device point of view, different specialized pedagogical information resources become accessible to all. 

This approach also equips machines with an intelligent learning model, enhanced reasoning and optimal management of learning material. The connection of online resources present on the web and its affiliation with the end user is a unique relationship, which can be enhanced using semantic web. 

Using semantic web, an ontology based e-learning method can be generated. It allows the program controller to add aspects such as student management, teacher management, security management, course management and ontology management. All of these aspects are linearized and fed unique responses based on the connection with the respective user. “Piazza” is a data management infrastructure built on the principles described above. It epitomizes the benefits of utilizing metadata and improving ‘understanding’ of machines.

Conclusion 

Based on the analysis that has been provided above, it is clear that the impact of online learning can be greatly enhanced with the help of optimal web usage. With a large segment of the population looking to virtual tools for enhanced learning, semantic web can offer significant assistance.

RECOMMENDED READ: The Potential of Blended Learning for Steering Education

Please, comment down your questions. 

*by andreascy*