Archive for October 2011
In the late 1990′s technology soared. It was the era of the dot.com boom and subsequent bust. Many new software and hardware advances were adopted by large companies that began to integrate new technologies into their business processes.
Some of these technologies were on the ‘bleeding edge’ with buggy software, crashes, insufficient memory and so on. Online ‘cloud’ or web based applications were often not reliable and not user friendly.
For smaller companies without IT departments, being on the technology bleeding edge was the equivalent to living a nightmare.
Around 2003 the applications became more robust and bugs and crashes were less of a problem. Part of this progress was due to the dramatic drop in pricing for computer memory meaning that more robust programs could be run without crashing.
Also around this time many industries developed industry specific software to run businesses like car dealerships or bookstores. Called “management systems” this genre of software allowed smaller companies to combine all their processes under one program. This management software also did not require an onsite IT department to keep it running.
This vertical industry specific software was complemented by horizontal industry software such as bookkeeping and contact management software. This meant that a company could also run its books and keep track of prospects and customers in ways they were not able to do before.
Software and platform integrators stayed busy. The big drive during this period was to try to link and integrate software. For instance, management software would generate an invoice, note that it was paid and then route the data to the proper category in the general ledger through a linked accounting system.
It was clearly understood that the more integrated and “seamless” a software was, the more powerful and cost effective it could be. And since human error continued to be a major drawback to software applications, greater integration meant not only saving time and money but reducing errors.
As hardware and software improved it also became cheaper and more affordable to smaller companies. By 2005 and 2006 many of these applications became more mainstream and were used by smaller and smaller companies.
Perhaps the biggest advances during this time were web based applications. Companies could link all parts of their business online from sales and inventory to employee communications and human resources.
This shift also reduced costs from thousands of dollars for a software purchase to a monthly user’s fee making it much more affordable. These applications also eliminated a lot of paper.
By 2007 the second wave of technology upheaval had begun as smaller and smaller companies began using technology to manage and market.
Smaller companies began to sell more online and funnel new prospects to their sales department. These new technologies allowed companies to sell more by expanding their markets.
“In today’s marketplace if a retail or service business does not exploit all their potential markets then their competitors will,” says Eric Ressler of Zuniweb Creative Services, “it’s just not optional anymore.”
Across horizontal and vertical industries the key driver is strategy. Those companies with a solid strategy that is well executed are stronger competitors.
Technology is a critical component in almost all business strategies and in recent years technology has enabled businesses of all types to leverage their strengths in their respective markets.
As technology has become more user friendly it also has more users. Today one does not have to know html or coding to operate very sophisticated software and companies do not require a high level of technical expertise to run most software.
The big advantage is that the user can focus on business functions and not on user unfriendly software.
With these innovations has come a second wave revolution that is changing the way business operates today. As always, the issue is which companies take advantage of these opportunities and which do not.
As always the marketplace will ultimately decide which of these companies succeed.
In this fast paced life it is not always possible for people to prepare food several times a day. So there are no other ways than making food once and keep them for the rest of the day. But in the summer season, it is also not possible to keep foods naturally. That’s why the need of such a machine arises which help people to keep food items at a low and ambient temperature. For the blessing of electronic technology, that also has been possible and as a result the invention of freezers happened.
Freezers helps people to store food safely for long hours. These machines keep foods safe because of its capability to make protection shield from bacteria. The cooling devices build with the super cooling technology by which they can maintain the temperature below freezing point of water. Generally these cooling devices work on 18
Digital cameras are latest fads for many who have chosen photography as a hobby or profession. The advent of digital photography marks a new milestone in the progressive growth of the technology. Unlike the film camera, this version is comparatively easier to handle. For this reason amateur photographers choose the right one. But depending on the type of photographs to be shot they should opt for the right type of cameras and accessories. Mega pixels, Zoom and Memory are factors that influence the working of the camera and shoppers have to understand the significance of those terms and their relevance in the art of photography.
For example, the term mega pixels is always referred whenever this gadget is discussed. It is to be clearly understood that mega pixels have nothing to do with the quality of photos shot in this camera. It is a factor that enables enlargement of photo prints. If the photographer wants to take out large size printout of the photos, it is necessary to opt for a camera with higher megapixels. To obtain a 5 x 7 inch printout, camera needs 2 mega pixels of resolution. But those who are not well versed with the technicalities will have wrong conception that the number of mega pixels is the factor that determines the quality of photographs. Similarly optical and digital zooms are very often confusing features to many camera shoppers. Even though both these zooms work together, it is optical zoom that contributes towards better picture quality. Digital zoom facilitates better focusing. The camera with both optical and digital zooms is preferable, but optical zoom is more relevant.
Memory is yet another important feature in this camera. Cheaper cameras will have built-in memory for storage of pictures shot. But memory cards are more popular which are removable as well as up gradable. Different types of memory cards are available in the markets. Compact Flash, Smart Media and Sony Memory Stick are a few among many types of memory cards widely used in this gadget. To understand the significance of the memory card the user should know that in a digital camera with one mega pixel resolution a 16MB memory card will be able to store 40 pictures. The optical view finders are incorporated in all digital cameras. But LCD screens are more innovative. Photographers can view the object on the LCD screen before and after clicking the camera. It is the most advantageous feature of it which enables deleting of unwanted photos then and there. But LCD screens consume more battery power. Another version is the electronic view finder which is gaining popularity among the users.
As for batteries, it is better to opt for re-chargeable batteries even though they are expensive. Some of the digital cameras will have AC adapters to facilitate supply of power directly from mains. Modern digital cameras are available with features like auto focus and automatic image stabilization and built-in pop up flash. Size and weight of the camera varies and shoppers have to decide about them in accordance with their tastes and convenience.