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Thursday, October 30, 2014

The Latest from GadgetLite

The Latest from GadgetLite


5 Misconceptions about barcodes

Posted: 30 Oct 2014 03:14 AM PDT

At this point, barcodes are far from being a novelty factor. As a matter of fact, they have been utilized on a global scale in different industries for a few decades in a row. The technology behind this concept is continuously involving, permitting companies to perfect their inventory management, reduce expenses, minimize losses, boost their profit and ultimately maximize their odds of success on any market. Barcodes are fascinating, especially when you get familiar with their delightful history.

 

 

According to About.com, the first patent for a barcode system was issued to two ingenious inventors, Bernard Silver and Joseph Woodland, in 1952. Their version resembled a bull's-eye symbol and comprised several concentric circles. In 1974, the first UPC barcode scanner was implemented in an Ohio-based grocery store and managed to demonstrate the commercial use of barcodes. Three decades later, several barcode systems still prove their ever-growing utility. Combined with other ingenious innovations, like iPad-based POS systems, they enable people to gain full control over their inventory and their entire business. Despite the fact that barcodes aren't exactly a recent advancement, there are still several misconceptions related to their use and benefits that may puzzle numerous novices who are not familiar with this topic. Here are only five of the most common wrong ideas about barcodes.

  1. All Barcodes Are the Same. As a matter of fact, there are numerous types of barcode symbologies. According to Scientific Computing, a symbology basically represents the description of a particular barcode (and also the way in which it is generated and the way in which it is displayed). Apart from this, symbologies also specify the type of data that can be encoded. For example, certain barcodes store numerical data, while others comprise alphanumerical information.
  2. Barcodes Are Expensive. This is perhaps one of the most dangerous misconceptions that stand in the way of new business owners who would be eager to find the simplest method to control their inventory. Producing new barcode labels is a fairly inexpensive process, especially when you count on your own equipment (barcode printer, barcode scanner, labels and so on). The final conclusion of a study entitled "Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Hospital Bar Code Solution" published by JAMA Internal Medicine is that the implementation of a bar code solution can drastically reduce the number of pharmacy dispensing mistakes and trigger a positive ROI (return on investment) for the facility. In this particular case, the authors of the study mention a net benefit of 3.4 million dollars witnessed five years after the implementation.
  3. A Barcode System Is Difficult to Implement and Barcodes Only Go on Paper. With so many online tutorials that you can consult before adopting a certain barcode system, it is almost impossible to wander in the dark while trying to make a first step in this direction. Furthermore, all the equipment that you may need to get the job done comes with a clear set of instructions. Using barcode printer and its associated software you can design, customize and print barcode labels and assign them to your products. Next, you would just have to read the data comprised by your barcodes using the scanner of your choice.

Think that barcodes can only go on paper? Wrong again! Modern printers enable you to print on a great variety of materials, including paper, synthetics, glass, laminates and more. Thermal transfer is a printing technique that enables you to add barcodes to a plethora of materials, compared to direct thermal, a second method that significantly limits your options in this regard, according to Street Directory.

  1. I Wouldn't Be Able to Customize My Barcodes. If you think that customization options are off limits, then you're terribly wrong. Once you use a good printer and its associated software, likes the ones brought to you by Shopify, you will manage to design and fully customize your labels to make them meet your specific needs and aesthetic demands.
  2. If I Do Rely on a Barcode System, I Don't Need a Fancy POS Solution for My Store. If you have already implemented a barcode system, this means that you have made a giant first step towards a seamless store management. However, at this point you can only maintain your competitive edge by implementing a POS solution that allows you to accept cash and credit card payments in your store or on the go. This type of iPad-based system is modern and versatile and lets you do business anytime, anywhere. Moreover, it ensures a pleasant checkout experience, keeps your clients close and also lets you weigh the strengths and weaknesses of your store and make smarter business decisions. Believe it or not, it actually gets better! The POS solution that acts like a unified platform will also give you access to several apps that let you profit from marketing, shipping and accounting tips and tricks. All in all, this all-in-one POS solution seems to be the perfect choice for people who wish to gain full control over their online and offline businesses.

[Image via av1611.org]

Difference between web conferencing and video conferencing

Posted: 30 Oct 2014 03:05 AM PDT

Web conferencing is no longer a technical innovation that is specifically for larger enterprises. This advancement has been expanded to facilitate even small and mid-size enterprises as high bandwidth and high-speed connections are available for anyone, all over the country. More than 24 percent of households today have a high speed connection, compared to what was used back in 2004.

As far as video conferencing is concerned, this means of technology is extensively used by the youth of today. Statistics suggest something worth considering: almost 79 percent of the survey respondents used video conferencing for communicating with their friends in dedicated video conferencing rooms, according to the Interact Technology website.

Although both web and video conferencing have the same objective in connecting individuals in a single platform, there is a thin line in between what differentiates each of these technologies. Following are the differences that make the purpose of communication a bit different in each case.

Roles Played By Web Conferencing

In web conferencing, employees actively participate and collaborate, making teams more instant and effective. The 24/7 access and availability of users means steady, on-going input and removes the hassle of managing time and cost of users. In addition, companies use web conferencing to increase their social networking as this will give them an edge over others in their industries. This helps them gain an immediate advantage in the battle to achieve the bottom-line results while using the fewest resources.

There is another benefit of web conferencing that is mostly known as the "Green Advantage." It has been proven that business travel can account for nearly 50 percent of the company's carbon footprint. For the corporations who have adopted the green marketing strategy, web conferencing can work as a significant component in terms of making a positive contribution.

Roles Played By Video Conferencing

In contrast to web conferencing, video conferencing uses the advantages of video and audio recording services to connect its audience. This is, however, done at a smaller scale in comparison to a web conference, where many individuals can unite at a single unit. Such a conference is done for interviewing employees in recruitment, sharing information, or to give a briefing about something.

With the passage of time, this means of communication has upgraded and it now also provides facilities such as sharing documents, using whiteboards for explanations, and computer-displayed information to enhance discussion of important issues.

Other differences that deserve a mention are the following:

  • Equipment Requirement

In a video conference, you need to have a webcam and a microphone to communicate with individuals through a computer. However, in a web conference, there has to be software that everyone involved needs to install before getting connected with each other.

  • Cost

In comparison to video conferencing, web conferencing usually has a lower cost attached to it. In web conferencing you don't need to pay for the bandwidth and good lighting. However, video conferencing has been focusing on its cost effective measures and is leaning towards web conferences as a competitors.

  • Sight

The advantage that video conference has over web conferencing is that it can help its users focus on the other participants through their body language and attire instead of only communicating through online messaging or voice call. But if the point of meeting is to convey important information, video conferencing may not be necessary. It's less important in that case to present yourself in front of an audience than it is for you to simply share the information. In this case, web conferencing is preferred.

However, today these differences are fading away as video conferencing – like Blue Jeans's system – has been upgraded with fast paced trends of technology. The clarity has come up to the mark of a web conference. In other words, these advances are allowing even households to access the same kinds of communication facilities that were previously the exclusive property of businesses.

The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, where face to face meetings via video conferencing create a strong impact in terms of communicating beyond borders, the significance of web conferencing cannot be neglected. Although both are different means of communication, both have very crucial roles to play in any particular scenario. For instance, in a situation like interviewing a candidate, video conferencing is more likely preferred by companies as the employer would like to know the candidate's personality, their individual attitude, and values. But in another situation when information about the company's position is needed, web conferencing can help. It can be done through online messaging or audio calling. Thus, you need to be aware of the usage and benefits of both web and video conferencing to grow and expand in the market.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

The Latest from GadgetLite

The Latest from GadgetLite


Four reasons to adopt tablets in the office

Posted: 19 Oct 2014 04:11 AM PDT

To a company that operated via typewriters and written letters, the concept of electronics worming their way into the corporate sphere might have seemed ridiculous. Of course, this might also have been the same company that never foresaw the appearance of DOS computers, or mobile phones, or the rise of the modern laptop.

Technology has always come across as a boon to businesses, enabling faster communication and creating a more reliable, interconnected entity overall. These changes were not always easy, however, and most of them came gradually and at a great cost. In this day and age, however, the switch to the latest and greatest tech is cheaper than ever, and it's cropping up in the most unexpected places. Tablets, which have the computing power of a laptop and the capabilities of a desktop, a phone, a webcam, and much more, have rolled onto the business scene and made a mark already. Yet the question remains: why should you pick up a tablet for your office? Here are four reasons that might answer that question.

Floating in Clouds

As noted by Entrepreneur, the digital trend of cloud-computing, hosting information on a centralized source, which can then be accessed by a range of users and devices, has made waves in the mobile and tablet worlds. A handful of new models, including the Samsung Nook, are automatically enabled with this feature. The reason for this is simple; because of a tablet's small size and inherent mobility, the need to receive mobile data and perform work on the go is even more crucial. So if you take your tablet on the subway, there's nothing stopping you from cranking out next week's board meeting reports, or looking over financial records. All of your data is automatically backed up on the cloud servers, which means that you'll never lose data again. If you tried this on a standard laptop, you might be in hot water for those files you accidentally deleted, or the system that decided to crash halfway through your employee reports. The cloud also enables your colleagues to access your information and work on their personal tablets, which means that you're a click away from finishing that monstrous project.

Better Access to Information

Almost every modern worker, including you, has access to their E-mail on some sort of device. Even if you abstain from the current breed of smart phones, you can check your mail on a laptop or desktop. The modern employee and consumer, however, are turning toward tablets as the newest source of information and communication, according to PC World. Tablets are finding their way into schools because of their swift connections to mobile data networks and vaults of information. This same benefit can be applied to your work and company, where the ability to look up marketing trends can be accomplished with a simple swipe or tap. Your tablet has the processing power of a computer, but without any of the hassle of such a bulky device. The cloud service on your tablet will always guarantee your access to E-mail (and records of these communications) no matter where you go.

Light Lifting

Anybody who has thrown out their back while moving a desktop computer (or its monitor) can attest to the weight of these machines. Moving it from one desk to another may not be so taxing, but moving it up and down flights of stairs, or attempting to reshuffle it to make room for wires can become a real nightmare. The beauty of a tablet is in its lightweight construction and durability, which can rival any laptop model. A tablet can be tucked into your bag and carried to work with ease. And of course, the business world thrives on modular designs, where your technology is expected to adapt to any situation or need. If you're required to present something at a board meeting, it's much easier to hold up your tablet and show it to the board members than to awkwardly angle a laptop screen. Similarly, you don't need to fuss with things like projectors or their associated wiring contraptions. Simply turn on the tablet, lift, and reveal your brilliance.

Advancing Apps

The appeal of going mobile has taken the business world by storm, particularly in smaller operations. Your ability to perform work on the go can mean the difference between a promotion and a lost contract. Telecommuting is simplified with tablets, of course, but the advantage of using a tablet rather than a laptop for this task is simple; apps are everywhere. Apps are programs designed for your specific tablet platform, and their functions range all across the board. The Register documented that many apps, like Office 365, are designed to organize and optimize your work capacity. Others, like Skype apps, can give you video conferencing abilities no matter where you are. Apps are being constantly developed, both by large software companies and average users alike, and their uses are tailored to whatever you need accomplished. So the next time a problem presents itself, don't get mad; get an app.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

The Latest from GadgetLite

The Latest from GadgetLite


5 Tools you can’t afford not to upgrade

Posted: 14 Oct 2014 10:18 AM PDT

Technology continues its relentless march forward, which means that every year we are granted new and improved versions of our old devices. It can be difficult to understand the need to drop everything in favor of the newest tech, especially when so many of us are still using the laptops we bought for our first year of college. However, what we don't realize is how our old tools are seriously slowing us down.

While you may be able to get by with your old tools, your performance is likely lacking. Whether it takes you longer to accomplish basic tasks or you're wasting valuable resources with outdated technology, resisting the upgrades is keeping you in the past. If you want to move out of the cave and rejoin society in a shiny new smart house, here are the four pieces of tech you must upgrade immediately.

Toothbrushes

You brush your teeth at least twice a day every day — or you should — so why are you relying on a tool designed more than 80 years ago? To clean your mouth effectively, you must powerfully brush for a total of two minutes. While the modern toothbrush does some damage to plaque and debris, if you are continuing to rely on your own arm strength and attention span to keep your teeth shining and gums healthy, you probably aren't doing a perfect job every time.

Conversely, electric toothbrushes are designed to reach difficult areas of the mouth, have motorized heads that don't lose power while you're multitasking, and can have timer features that turn off the toothbrush when you've finished your cleaning. Sticking with a manual toothbrush is asking for dentures in your later life, which is a major expense — not to mention inconvenience.

Household Appliances

You're lying to yourself if you think you're getting by with an older model of your clothes washer, dryer, or dishwasher. Most people use all three of these at least once every week, and older versions of these appliances don't have the newest technology to truly make your items clean, and they are more likely to break down or malfunction, necessitating costly calls to the repairman. On top of all this, older appliances are not designed with energy efficiency in mind, so they are likely draining your wallet through your electricity bill as well.

New appliances can be a big investment, but they pay off both in their functionality and the value they add to your home. Energy Star appliances are reviewed and approved by the government for their decreased energy usage and impact on pollution, so you can trust you're upgrading to an amazing product.

Cigarettes

You've known since you were a child that cigarettes in general are a waste of money — they smell, they stain, and they damage nearly every aspect of your health, among other detriments. However, no matter how many times you try to quit, you just can't get away from them.

Unfortunately, your bad habit is costing you a fortune; depending on your location, your lung capacity, and your pack of choice, you could be dropping more than $5,000 a year.

You don't have to stop smoking to save that money. Instead, consider smoking tobacco-less e-cigarettes. There are tons of customizations and modifications — not to mention flavors — you can choose from to get the perfect experience. Plus, not only is the investment in e-cigs lower, but your health risks are likely diminished as well.

Video Game Consoles

Even if you are one of the countless casual gamers, it's hard to stay with one gaming console for very long. Video game developers love upgrading devices so they can roll out games with the best possible graphics and audio. Oftentimes, downloadable upgrades to consoles aren't enough, and to progress, companies must create entirely new devices. When this happens, the old machines become obsolete because companies stop producing updates and games for old systems.

Serious gamers know that when new consoles are announced, they should stop buying games and gear for their old device. To increase your skill at video games, stay on top of trends and own the newest devices possible. If you don't, you'll be stuck with the same games you've always played while everyone else gets newer and better digital adventures.

Cell Phones

With all the indispensible features available on smartphones today, upgrading this piece of tech really should be a no-brainer. However, legions of people continue to carry around outdated flip phones with the intention of communicating with others in the ways of the 1890s. Whether it's good or bad, the way we interact with one another is changing, and for the most part we require the features of modern cell phones, like texting, picture messaging, and video messaging, to communicate.

Older phones lack most or all of these capabilities, so their users are often left without anyone to talk to. If you don't want to be left alone in the dust, you should be paying the extra monthly fee to gain the ability to connect with your friends and family in the modern fashion.

Why consumers are wary of mobile banking — and how you can protect yourself

Posted: 14 Oct 2014 10:10 AM PDT

Judging by the number of television commercials touting the benefits of online banking — you can transfer money while waiting in line at the grocery store, or in the amount of time it takes to warm up for a tennis serve! — you might think that anyone with a smartphone is using their bank's mobile application. After all, it's hard to beat the convenience of instant transfers, making deposits without visiting the bank, and the ability to check your balance before you hit the checkout line.

Yet according to one recent survey, 44 percent of U.S. consumers said that they would never use mobile banking apps, in large part because of fear of security risks.

What Are the Risks of Mobile Banking?

For many people, the idea of using a mobile banking application sets up the potential for a worst-case scenario: Their smartphone is lost or stolen, and the thief is able to gain access to their banking information via an application — and easily transfer every single penny to their own account, all before the owner of the phone even realizes that it's missing. So while they recognize the convenience of mobile banking, the risk just feels too high. It would be bad enough to have emails, photos, social media, and contact lists fall into the wrong hands; banking information could be devastating.

It doesn't help that another study claimed that as many as 90 percent of all of the top mobile banking applications contained flaws that could potentially be exploited to compromise security. Some of the flaws that researchers discovered included lack of SSL-encryption on certain links within the application, links that could allow hackers to access the application and create fake log-in screens, and errors that could allow hackers to inject malware via the app that would send emails or text messages or make calls from the device. Not all applications contained all of the errors, though, and none of the apps has reported security lapses due to these flaws. In fact, many of the errors identified in the studied applications have since been mitigated — yet consumers still hear "90 percent of applications are dangerous" and shy away from mobile banking.

Avoiding the Risks

Many banks have approached mobile banking security the same way that they approached online banking security, and have taken steps to secure their apps to provide customers with peace of mind and convenience. Applications are now being developed to co-exist with the security features already built in to smartphones, including biometrics and features like Google's Trust Zone, which helps protect against software hacks.

Still, there are steps that users can take to protect themselves when using banking applications.

Install antivirus protection. Experts note that one reason that smartphones tend to be vulnerable to attack is that users fail to treat them as what they are, which is handheld computers. You wouldn't run your computer without antivirus, so why are you assuming that your mobile device is safe? Install an Android security program that includes antivirus protection to keep your apps and information safe.

Avoid banking on public Wi-Fi. When you use public Wi-Fi, whether on your computer or on your phone, there's always a chance that anyone in the vicinity could tap into your connection and see what you are doing. If you are going to use mobile banking, do so only on a secure, encrypted connection.

Use a strong password. Your banking password should be one of the strongest credentials you create and should only be used for banking. Follow current best practices for your banking password: at least eight characters, combination of letters, numbers, and symbols, and avoid using any dictionary words. Never store your banking username and password on your device, even if your bank's app allows you to.

Download from a trusted source. Fake banking applications are a concern, so only download your bank's app from a trusted source, preferably the bank itself. Some banks will even text you the link to the download.

Use your phone's security features. Most users fail to do things like lock their phones using a code or biometrics. Learn about your device and take advantage of the installed features.

Notify your bank. If your phone is lost or stolen and you use mobile banking, notify the bank immediately. They can lock down your account for your protection, and may even be able to help you locate the phone using the device's GPS.

While there will always be risks involved with banking — even if you visit a teller, things can still go wrong — there is no need to fear mobile banking if you take the right precautions. So go ahead and download that app, and get your banking done even when you're on the beach or at the tennis court.

Monday, October 13, 2014

The Latest from GadgetLite

The Latest from GadgetLite


How Apple’s iOS 8 update addresses security concerns

Posted: 13 Oct 2014 12:30 AM PDT

Ever since the first Macintosh, Apple has boasted of their machines' superiority when it comes to virus protection, and their users usually list this as a major deciding factor between Apple's products and their competitors. However, with the exponential growth Apple has received in the past decade, more and more tricky hackers are looking to disprove Apple's claims.

Malware and viruses specifically designed for Apple products are on the rise, putting the spotlight on Apple's security efforts.

In mid-September, Apple finally released an update to its devices' operating system that promised heightened security — but did Apple really deliver on privacy with iOS 8? While a few features definitely beef up protection of users' precious private files, other updates are not nearly as beneficial to Apple's security goals.

Goodbye, Government Searches

One of the most important developments Apple made in iOS 8 was their announced refusal to allow law enforcement access to their customers' devices. Previously, Apple had access to each and every Apple device, and many government agencies utilized Apple's access for information — sometimes with warrants, sometimes without. Apple announced that they will no longer be granting any governmental agency permission to unlock Apple devices, and they have patched up each and every backdoor that allowed the company access to individual iPhones and iPads. Additionally, Apple has pledged its devotion to keeping the American National Security Agency away from private data on Apple devices.

Hello, Trustworthy Networks

A particularly handy new feature is the ability to monitor what computers are connected to Apple devices, and to quickly and easily — just the swipe of a finger, really — mark all connected devices as untrustworthy. This is actually a particularly useful development, as most of iOS 8's new security features make Apple devices more secure than users' home computers. If an iPhone or iPad is connected to a network with an unsecure computer, hackers could easily reach the device and begin attempting to infiltrate. Computers need not be untrustworthy forever, though; it's easy enough to bring computers up to Apple's standards of security with increased safety measures like encryption or multi-factor authentication from a site like www.safenet-inc.com.

Hello, Serious Data Encryption

To prevent easy access to data, the new iOS 8 encrypts user data on all devices protected with a passcode or fingerprint ID. Thus, without the four-digit ID users employ to unlock their devices, spies are not able to decipher private data on Apple products. While encryption has been an option for users in past iOS systems, this new development is automatic.

Unfortunately, the use of iCloud could negate this new feature. While everything saved on the device becomes encrypted, recent breaches of Apple's iCloud service shows that storing data off the device is perhaps not as safe. Additionally, while users plug their devices into computers without iOS 8 protection, their automatic encryption disappears. This means users could be putting their precious photos, videos, music, and messages into the hands of data thieves by using outside devices.

Hopefully, Apple will continue to develop security measures for all their products, iCloud included.

Goodbye, Targeted Advertising

Plenty of companies monitor your online activity — or any activity you perform on their devices — and sell that information to advertisers looking for the perfect audience. Virtually every email service scours your private messages for keywords indicating your consuming habits, and the websites you visit create cookies on your devices with advertisers can view to help their sales tactics. With iOS 8, Apple decreed they'll end this habit. Apple's new CEO Tim Cook stated, "We don’t ‘monetize’ the information you store on your iPhone or in iCloud. And we don’t read your email or your messages to get information to market to you."

This is a momentous step away from the tactics many other Web and tech giants are employing to gain some fast cash. Advertising is big business, and with so many rich U.S. consumers using Apple products, Apple could stand to make a fortune by selling data on their users. However, advertising profiles do compromise the integrity of any security system; it's difficult to show customers you value their security when you sell their information to the highest bidder. Apple's move is smart and safe.

Apple's iOS 8 was a behemoth to download, and many users complained of the time it took for their devices to become usable again. However, the new system is leaps and bounds better than anything Apple has put out in the past — especially in terms of security.

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