Business

Tech to Make Running a Small Business Easier

Whether you’re working from home as a one man band, setting up a side hustle in your spare time, or run a business which employs lots of people, there are certain bits of tech which can really make your life easier. We’ve put together a list of the top five tech items you can buy which will help to take your business to the next level:

A Good Camera

This won’t apply to all small business, but if you’re selling products or run a business which depends upon you have decent images to display then a good camera should be one of your main investments. If you don’t have thousands to spend but still want a high-end set up, look online for second hand stuff – lots of people plunge hundreds and even thousands of pounds on photography equipment, only to realise they never use it, and then sell it on for way under the new price.

Security

Ransomware has become a billion-dollar business and that makes sense: it’s finally a way for clever hackers to actually make money with their malware. We read about the stories of hotels, transit systems and city governments brought to their knees by security breaches like this, but we don’t hear of the thousands of small businesses that are also affected. To protect yourself you need to use a good cloud backup service, keep your operating systems updated and use a good security application in your company. If you run a shop or a business with its own premises, then having Verisure Smart Business Alarms protecting the place is also a good investment if you want to protect your stock.

Packing Machines

If your business requires you to package something, then investing in a packing machine from C Pack Ltd will save you time and money in the long run. They have machines which can package just about anything and they’re guaranteed to do it quicker and with less error than a human! They’ll even build a custom packing machine for your exact requirements.

Travel Laptop

If you spend a lot of time travelling for your business, investing in a good travel laptop could be invaluable. It will allow you to take with you all of the files you need for your business when travelling, and means that you can leave your every day tech at home because you have a dedicated laptop just for travel.

Cloud Services

The old fashioned way of doing things still clings on in some respects, with many people struggling to trust Cloud services because they’re just not as tangible as paper files or a physical hard drive. However, Cloud services are actually the safer and more reliable way to store your data and you’re less likely to suffer a loss with one of these services. That being said, managing your own Cloud network can be overwhelming at times which is why some businesses instead outsource these IT-related responsibilities to teams of IT experts. Moreover, when it comes to Managed IT Services Melbourne and other major cities all over the world are home to some fantastic teams of IT support professionals that can help you to work out the best possible solutions for your business needs.

Chatbots

You might see chatbots as something way out of your business’ league, or as something that’s just a bit too futuristic for your needs, but using chatbot software to deal with some of your communications can save you a lot of time and money in the long run.

 

Technology

6 Ways Technology Can Make Your Life Easier

Source

Everyone needs a little help every now and then and what better way to get it than using technology in your everyday life. Most people have a phone these days, and these devices are just like a mini computer in their own right, so there’s no excuse to utilise it to make your life a little easier. It’s not only phones that can help either, as the selection of home gadgets and smart devices, such as alarmanlage haus (or house alarms if you don’t live in Germany), are also changing the way we live and carry out daily tasks.

If you’re looking to utilise technology to make things easier, check out these top ways to do just that.

Make payments securely

In the old days, you used to have to go into the bank to get money out or pay people, but in modern society, even cash machines are starting to disappear too. That’s where technology takes over. It’s never been easier to pay securely for a range of products and services with the click of a button on your mobile device. Apps are making it simple to buy things and get them delivered within days. Plus you can pay friends and family in an instant if you need to split the bill at dinner.

Watch the latest TV series and movies

Long gone are the days of waiting forever for films to come out on DVD, as now you can access the latest movies and TV series right from the comfort of your own home. It’s easy to set everything up from a smart TV or on your computer, and you can find out how to get favourite shows on Netflix on your Mac here: https://cablecompare.com/11-ways-to-watch-tv-for-free/

Get fit at home

Want to get fit but don’t have the time to go to the gym! Well, you can do all your workouts from the comfort of your own home on your lunch break with the range of apps and videos on YouTube that take you through the steps and techniques. If you prefer running, you can also download helpful guides on how to complete different runs depending on if you just want to get off the couch or want to test your stamina in a marathon.

Find your way around

Once upon a time, a trusty map would get us from A to B, but now in the innovation of modern technology, our phone can guide us around with ease. It’s not just great for using in the car either, as if you hunting for a shop in a town you don’t know, or are exploring a new city, a GPS app can guide through the streets to find your destination. You can also ask your phone for the nearest bank, supermarket or café plus a range of other spots to find the fastest route for your needs.

Control your home

You can now control a host of things in your home with technology too. Everything from appliances to your heating and lights can be turned on and off with your smart devices, which is ideal if you want to monitor elements such as energy usage. There are also lots of smart devices such as Siri and Alexa, who can just play you some music when you need it. Plus you can integrate them into your other smart devices and turn lights on when you come into a room or switch the TV on etc.

Secure your home

Home security is a priority for many families and technology can give you extra peace of mind whether you’re at home or away for the holidays. Installing cameras inside your property that are connected to the WiFi offers you visibility in each room it’s set up in. There are also options to set alerts if motion is detected and you can log in on your smartphone app and look directly into your house from your phone. Another use for these types of cameras is for pet-watching. If you have to leave your beloved pooch at home while you’re at work, it can be worrying for the both of you. So setting up a camera will enable you to watch them throughout the day, and some devices allow you to talk through them, which can help if they have decided that it might be fun to nibble on the furniture.

Technology makes it super easy to get organised and feel more secure in your home. By utilising a range of home and mobile tech options, you will be able to get places faster, get organised more efficiently and have extra peace of mind for your family.

Technology

The Rise Of Cobots

cobotsSince their emergence, robots have been labeled many names. Some view them as job snatchers and any term that describes what they think is depriving a human worker of his daily bread is a perfect term.

Away From Robots, How Are Cobots?

What if things took a different turn? What if these types of equipment are used to complement human labour? What if the much-hated gadgets are able to work hand in hand with a human co-worker without posing any threat? Maybe things would be much better. The answer to this robot-human conflict is in the introduction of collaborative robots.

What Is a Cobot?

A cobot is the short form for a collaborative robot. It is a term used to refer to robots that have been designed to work hand in hand or alongside humans. Thanks to their programming, cobots can operate with minimum or no guidance at all and without causing any harm. Cobots are important because they relief the human worker off the tedious tasks. Human employees can take up the roles of assembling while a robot takes on the more complex or sensitive duties like loading and offloading. For instance, in the auto factories, a human can take up the role of placing tools in front of a cobot as it completes other tasks such as tightening of bolts.

With cobots at work, the light gets brighter and unlike the traditional robotics, with cobots, everyone is happier. No lifting heavy weights, no wasting hours completing complex tasks etc. Another exciting feature of cobots is that they are programmed to work side by side with humans. They can sense human touch or presence and are able to halt or even stop all movements. This is unlike the traditional robots that have to work in a cage to avoid causing unwanted harm.

Cobots are easily programmed and can be run by an average person. Industrial robots require professional know-how and a specially trained programmer who is tasked with assigning tasks, supervision and so on. A collaborative robot operates on a simple manual and is easily reprogrammed according to the task at hand.

Cobots are lightweight and easy to move around. They are not like the industrial robots which are heavy which when bolted down in one part of an industry, they cannot be easily moved around.

Are Companies Embracing Cobots?

Many manufacturers can revolutionalise their levels of production if only they decided to embrace the automation of the process. Unfortunately, a good number of manufacturers have been hesitant. This resistance is partly due to the high cost of industrial robots which have been the norm for a while. After assessing the ROI of a company, many prefer to stay away from automation.

There is some good news though, small, medium and large companies can embrace cobots. When compared to traditional robots, these are way cheaper and accommodative. They do not replace human labour but rather do provide a means and ways of working side by side with humans. Another reason why many manufacturers will find cobots interesting is that they are not very expensive, a factor that allows for the quick realization of ROI.

With an automation mechanism that enhances human effort, cobots are breakthrough that sweeps many people off their feet. From investors, employers, and employees. Incorporating the use of cobots in the production chain significantly reduces the amount of time taken from collecting raw materials, to the final delivery of a finished product.

There is no better way to speed up the production process, ensure efficiency and at the same time retain human manpower than the use of collaborative robots. They are low cost, simple and effective.

The Reaction of Human Employees To Cobots

Once an automation system is introduced into any company, the employees develop some sort of anxiety. The feeling that; a machine is taking up the available jobs. This is normal. As an employer, it is advisable to make all employees understand that introducing cobots in not intended to replace them but to make their work easier. Once this is understood, the reception of cobots will be very positive. Either way, when they all see that no one was laid off due to an automation, they will love the advancement and make the most out of it.

As an employer, it is important to spell out the reasons for automation to the entire team before actualizing it. It rules out the fear of an intent to lay off some employees.

Lifestyle

50 Shades Of Green

Okay, perhaps there aren’t fifty, but there are quite a few ways you can go green without even trying. If you do, you can save money for your family, make life easier and help the planet. How cool is that? It is something that all parents should be thinking about this year, so what are the options?

Upgrading Tech

If you upgrade your business tech, you will almost automatically be saving a lot of energy. New tech is almost always eco-efficient. So, if you purchase a new laptop this year, you can bet it will save you an absolute fortune in the long run. It’s worth upgrading all the tech in your home every few years. You’ll cut down your energy usage as well as your home cost.

Look For A Renewable Supply

You need to think about looking for an energy supply company that offers renewable resources. There are plenty available, and all you need to do is check out this possibility. You might find that the rates are cheaper, so again, it could save you a lot of money in the long run. Switching isn’t hard either, and the new company will typically set this up for you making the switch pain free.

Recycle It All

You should be recycling everything that you no longer use. This includes things like newspapers to electronics. When you do upgrade your tech, think about recycling it straight away. You can easily do this with things like mobile phones and tablets. Find out how in the infographic below and take one more step towards green living.


Infographic Created By My Trendy Phone