Five Ways Your Company Could be Using Technology Better

Technology has fundamentally altered how businesses operate. Most companies understand that it is now necessary and beneficial to use computers, the Internet and advance software for tasks that were once performed manually. New technologies are appearing all of the time. It is important for businesses to constantly to explore these new technologies. There are five ways that most companies could be using technology better.

Enterprise Resource Planning

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) technologies can help companies in a number of ways. An ERP system ties together many different aspects of a company from accounting and human resources to employee analytics and inventory control. An ERP is a centralized system that allows a business to see real-time data about nearly any part of the company. This helps when planning, making decisions or assembling reports. An ERP system is also a source for real-time metrics that can be used for workforce management.

Decentralized Office

Companies can use technology to decentralize an office so that it is easier for employees to remain productive. Using cloud-based services and delivering data to lean software clients allows employees to work from any location. It removes the need to tie critical people to a single workstation. It also makes expanding the business into different geographical regions or offices easier since everything from data to applications can be accessed across a network.

Collect Customer Feedback and Opinions

Customer opinions and feedback are crucial for the success and longevity of any business. Companies like Mindshare Technologies have software platforms that make collecting, aggregating and analyzing customer opinions and feedback easier. The software allows a company to capture the voice of the customer without implementing arduous manual processes or outbound campaigns. The technology will assist nearly every department from merchandising and marketing to product development and sales when assessing how to better satisfy customers. 

Collaboration

Technology makes collaboration much easier and more efficient. New software suites and telepresence technologies allow employees, clients and vendors to take an active part in collaborations that can improve supply chains or revenues. This technology makes it unnecessary to schedule large in-person meetings. It also allows a business to collaborate fully with professionals and specialists located anywhere in the world for as long as necessary.

Engage Customers

Many businesses are not using technology to engage customers. How consumers gather and interact with information has changed. Companies need to use technology to create new channels that engage customers primarily online. This means using social media, mobile platforms and interactive tools to create an online customer experience that speaks to the brand. This will keep the business visible and relevant.

Five Things You Didn't Know Your Tablet Could Do

If you own an Android tablet, you most likely utilize it in many different ways throughout the course of a given day. However, most people aren't using their tablets to their full potential. If you aren't quite an expert with your Android tablet, you may be missing out on some functionality. Here are five things that you may not have known your Android tablet could do.

1. Control Your TV

With your Android tablet, it's possible to control both your television and your DVR with an app called XBMC. You can use it like a remote to scroll through channels, control the volume, look at DVR recordings, and do anything else that you could with a TV remote. With this functionality, you can stop worrying about where the remote is. You can put it in one of the quality leather iPad cases out there and have a great looking remote control for the living room.

2. Monitor the House

Your Android tablet can also be used as a type of home monitoring tool. You can integrate it in with a security system to look at your home camera feeds and turn on and off the system. One example of an app that can do this is the SimpliSafe app.

3. Send and Receive Texts

You don't need to have a data plan for your Android to be able to send and receive text messages. By using an app called Tablet Talk, you can connect your tablet to your mobile phone account and send and receive texts from the same phone number.

4. Control an Aircraft

Your Android can actually work as a remote control for a remote controlled airplane or toy drone. You simply download the appropriate app for the remote controlled plane and then use it to start flying. It's really pretty simple to use and you'll be surprised just how well it can work. I-Helicopter is an app that allows you to control an RC helicopter.

5. Perform Vehicle Diagnostics

One of the functions that you can enable with your tablet is to perform vehicle diagnostic tests. By getting the Delphi app called Vehicle Diagnostics, you will be able to diagnose exactly what is wrong with your vehicle. You install a simple device in the car and then it sends signals to your tablet. It's really easy to use, and it can help you figure out what's wrong with your car if you're getting an error code. You can even use it to unlock your car door.

As technology continues to advance, expect even more amazing functionality from your Android tablet. It is already an almost essential gadget to have, and it will be even more so in the future. 

Top 5 Gadgets and Internet Trends to Know So You Don't Get Left Behind

You hear about emerging technologies all the time, but each year our technologies and gadgets progress faster and faster. Instead of being left behind this time, you'll want to make sure to get ahead of the game and familiarize and prepare yourself for new gadgets before companies release these technologies to the public. Check out the following top five gadgets that will hit headlines in the near future.

1. Google Glass

You've seen it in futuristic movies, and it's almost here: a pair of glasses that does everything that your smart phone does, from giving directions and taking pictures to translating languages and answering questions all by the sound of your voice. Share your point-of-view with your family and friends through pictures and videos and download various apps. This is a truly incredible piece of technology that you'll want to keep your eye on, set to release just before the holiday season.

2. Electric Cars

If you're not living under a rock, then you've probably heard a lot about electric car technology, but since few companies are actually manufacturing fully electric cars, few people have been able to get their hands on them. However, you can expect affordable electric cars to hit the market in the near future with comparable mpg to traditional vehicles.

3. Smart TV

Since the release of the smart phone, it hasn't been such a crazy idea to create a smart TV, and you don't have to wait much longer. With TVs having the ability to wirelessly connect to the Internet, you will receive easy, high-quality experiences with television, social media, and video websites among many other applications all at a higher resolution.

4. Smart Watch

Along with smartphones and smart TVs, you'll also discover that the smart watch is creating a buzz throughout the nation. A smart watch is much more than a user-friendly way to keep the time, but it can also function as a mobile communication device, calculator, camera, and more. Many include features such as weather monitoring, GPS navigation, and countless other modern applications.

They can also support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, and with modern wireless Internet services offered by companies like Clear Internet Services, your watch can connect to the 4G network no matter where you are. Visit http://www.clearinternetservices.com/about-clear-wireless-internet.html for more information.

5. 3-D Printing

 Maybe you won't actually be using 3-D printing, but this is a technology you'll want to know about. 3-D printing is a technique that interprets computer files and turns designs into 3-D models, and it won't take long until consumers can use the technology in their home, office, or other remote locations. This means that companies can quickly and easily create hard copy models from 2-D blueprints by printing layers of metal or plastic. Pretty cool, huh?

No matter if you're ready to move on from your recent gadgets to these latest technologies, it's important to become aware of these emerging gadgets, because they're going to make an impact.  Whether you like it or not, you'll likely encounter these gadgets, and when you do, you'll be ahead of the game.

Sources:

http://www.google.com/glass/start/what-it-does/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartwatch

http://www.weforum.org/content/top-10-emerging-technologies-2013

Latest High Tech Gadgets in 2013

There has been a storm of production of new gadgets for the past years due to the technological advancements in the electronic industry. The Top 5 gadgets that are available in the market today include Smartphone, tablets computers, e-readers, smart TVs and smart watches.

1. Smartphone – Smartphone which comprises different device types and brands have become the top gadget for staying mobile yet still connected. Their extreme portability and functionality can take the work of your mobile phone and computers. They are considerably far smarter than a normal mobile phone and much more convenient to use than a laptop. With this phone you can perform more task than you used to with older version of mobile phones. 

2. Tablet Computers – These gadgets are basically the new version of laptops. However, the critical difference between the two is that you don’t need to use a keyboard and a mouse when using the device because they are incorporated with a touch screen functioning. There are a lot of new tablets from top companies like Apple and Samsung that has been gaining popularity in the market today due to their features, portability and multitasking capabilities. 

3. Smart TVs – A smart TV is a television set which is designed to retrieve contents from the internet with built in applications that enables user to stream movies, games, sports and others form the internet.  This gadget can also give you access on the contents stored in your home computer. It offers multitude of services that are not available in an ordinary television. The operating system was improved to ensure that customers will have better viewing experience. 

4. Smart Watches– These are great gadgets for a gift that are designed to interact with your Smartphone, laptop or tablets. Depending on the operating system of your Smartphone it can also operate the same way like streaming video online and playing your favorite music files. They are very functional that it allows user to access on social networking sites. Sony and Motorola have taken the lead in the market with these devices. 

5. E-Readers – If you are trying to buy a gadget that would satisfy your reading passion, then e-readers are the best product to put in your cart.  They can contain thousands of books with limitation based only on the memory capacity of the gadget. These are great to use devices that uses e-ink technology displays for easier reading ability. Since they only consume power when the display changes, they tend to have longer battery life. 

As people continue to learn new things and search about information technology, electronic gadgets are expected to become sophisticated and better in the next few years. There are that’s has been released while others are still in the process and are ready to be launched soon. 

Author bio:

Claudia is an MBA and certified public accountant. He has been in the business industry for nearly fifteen years now. In her free times, she also writes about tips related to IT job placement, follow me @ITdominus1.