Cloud Servers Or Dedicated Servers—What Is Right For Your Company?

A lot of website or application developers are faced with a difficult choice when it comes to hosting their creations on the internet. While dedicated servers were the way to go for quite a long time, the introduction of cloud servers has revolutionized the way people create and operate their websites. However, there are a few purists who will swear by the capabilities of the dedicated servers while people already hosting websites and applications on cloud servers tout it as the future of the internet. So, what is the difference? First, let’s see what both of these things are.           

Cloud Server

The best part about having cloud servers is that they are affordable and very easy to operate. Things like digital electronic data management system are effortless with cloud servers and many small businesses and startups prefer using them when they are starting off. The costs are so low because of the fact that the server does not exist physically. Therefore, you do not have to pay for its establishment costs. It is instead on a virtual platform provided by your cloud service provider and you can configure the performance and storage space according to your needs, paying for only what you use and nothing more.

Dedicated Servers

Dedicated servers are physical servers that are used by companies or individuals to provide for their commercial and digital needs. The biggest USP for dedicated servers is that they provide a high amount of security along with seamless record management systems and business process management. They are great for large businesses who are already established and demand all their servers running at all times. However, businesses using dedicated servers still need external help and expertise to manage the ongoing maintenance of the servers, which may overheat because of high pressure.

Here are a few points where cloud servers and dedicated servers differentiate.

Resources Online – When you use cloud servers, your resources can go online in minutes but with dedicated servers, they might take hours to get uploaded on the internet.

RAM Upgradation – You can upgrade both cloud servers and dedicated servers. However, the differences lie in how you can upgrade them. While it will take you just a few clicks to ensure your RAM or ROM is upgraded with almost unlimited capabilities because of the internet, the dedicated servers will take manual installation and a lot of time compared to cloud servers.

Cost Effective High Availability – You can do it in both these options. Nevertheless, this can be achieved very quickly with cloud servers. It takes only minutes to set up a high availability environment whereas you can request the same environment within a dedicated infrastructure. Another key difference here is that building this environment in the cloud can cost up to 60% less compared to dedicated servers.

The Future Of Business Is AI

Thanks to dystopian sci-fi movies, the first thing that comes to our mind after hearing the term artificial intelligence is super intelligent robots taking over the world or an undefeatable super power that has completely brainwashed humankind and is leading us on the path of destruction. This is what we have to say: these notions are completely unfounded.  

In the current scenario, with rapid AI development, this technology has been nothing short of a boon to the society. AI has seeped into every field, from education to data analysis to business and much more. If you are a business person and are looking for efficient solutions to business related problems, you might be interested in knowing more about artificial intelligence and the ways it can benefit your business.

1.Capitalizing On Customized Shopping Experience: With the advent of online shopping and the ease it brings to the customers, they are now looking for a shopping experience designed to suit their needs. An AI program will look into their shopping habits and provide each one of them with customized offers, thus giving you an edge over your rivals.

2.Real Time Assistance: The most important benefit AI can provide a firm which has to constantly communicate with a high number of customers is real time assistance. Travel agencies can now use artificial intelligence to give second to second detail about bus, train and flight timings, availability, delays, etc.

3.Data Mining: Handling of big data is not an easy task in any way, let alone treating the enormous amount of data to come to conclusive discoveries. With AI in your arsenal, you can analyze the data generated by your customers and derive insights which were previously undiscovered. This will keep you one step ahead in the marketplace.

4.Predicting Outcomes: This technology looks for current patterns in customer behavior by the means of analysis of data, and using these behavioral patterns predicts future outcomes. Not only for retail, it is very beneficial for the banking industry as well, as it can help the firms decide which shares to invest in.

5.Improves Recruitment Process: AI can make the recruitment process much faster and more efficient. It sifts through the job applications and automatically rejects the ones that do not meet the criteria. The ones which do make the cut are sent to senior management.

Artificial intelligence in Dubai (UAE), USA, China, UK and many other countries has started playing a major role in the economy. With the pace at which market forces change in the current market setting, businesses will have to incorporate artificial intelligence in the organization if they don’t want to be squeezed out of the market.

Tips To Pick Right Document Imaging Company For Your Business

Document scanning has become more of a norm in present-day organizations, given the requirement of managing multiple documents on everyday basis. Since document management via scanning is a critical task as it also entails risks of copywriting issues, choosing the right company is essential to avoid exposing your company’s critical information to a wrong source.  There are many different factors to consider when searching for the best document scanning company for your business. It not only makes way for a faster document flow but also reduces the need for paper documents.  

Here is your guide to finding the best document imaging company for your business:

Look for Company with a Good Reputation 

You can never go wrong with a company holding excellent reputation. Beware of newly started companies and check for online reviews to know more about the company. Go for a company with large area of network and make sure that it operates in your area as well. Ask them about the companies they have dealt with and take references if required.

Always Consider Experience and Expertise 

Enquire whether the company has any prior experience in imaging similar documents as yours. Investigate whether the company has completed the projects on time for similar clients as you.  Also make sure that the company is certified and has expert staff for carrying out the scanning procedure on time.

Pay Special Attention to the Security Aspect 

Almost all the companies have some confidential data that needs to be properly digitized. Hence, it is important for essential documents to be kept safe. Make sure that the company you opt for takes adequate measures to keep your data secure.  A company which does a background check before hiring their employees and follows strict rules related to data discrepancy is usually the best one.

Make sure the Company has all the Equipment and Capabilities

Different equipment is required to scan different types of documents. Documents such as bound books, loose pages, microfilm, blueprints etc. require specialized scanners. Hence, always make sure that the company you are dealing with has all the necessary equipment and hence is able to complete the task on time in an effective manner. Going for a company which uses outdated equipment can be a loss for you in the long run.

Go for a Company Which Does Aftercare as Well 

For getting best value for money, look out for companies which provide aftercare as well. After all you might require your documents back to you once the scanning has been completed or might want safe disposal.  Go for document imaging services which have a planned procedure for meeting your after scanning requirements as well.

Moving from Electronic Document Management to Cloud Document Services

Long gone are the days when documentation and record keeping were tedious tasks which involved stacks and stacks of paper documents. With the advent of digitization, physical document archives have become a thing of the past, as everything has been transferred from the paper to the computer screen. Electronic document management was a huge leap in making access to files and documents at workplace much easier, however, it’s time to move forward.

Now we have in the picture cloud document management, a game changer for firms looking for more efficient systems to deal with copious amounts of files. Once the documents are up on the server, all one needs is an internet connection to access them, from anywhere, anytime. The implications of such a service are very beneficial for firms seeking to achieve higher levels of efficiency. However, before you decide to implement cloud documentation, keep the following points in mind.

Scanning: If your organization isn’t already using electronic documentation, scanning all the existing paperwork can be a time consuming and costly process. This can be a good time to consider if you want all the present data to go up on the cloud or only the new and upcoming projects should be digitized.

Structure: Re-evaluate the storing structure you had been using all this while and upgrade if a better structure is available. Make use of newer and innovative file structures and naming conventions. It will result in more organized storage of documents, along with making retrieval of files fairly easier and faster.

Training: Cloud document management is definitely easier than other ways of storing data, however that doesn’t mean that the staff will not require any training. While choosing which cloud document management services to go for, consider the adaptability of the employees to the system as well.

Updates: As is the case with most digital services, which also serves as a huge advantage, is that they receive updates frequently, so as to keep up with the rapidly changing needs of the customers. To make the most of these updates, the users should be aware about them and make use of the full potential of the features they are provided with. 

Cloud computing and document management services are the future. They are easy to use and implement and add unparalleled value to the organization. If you are not on board yet, then hurry up and join the club, because this technology is here to stay.

Why ‘IOT’ has become indispensable for businesses?

In a layman’s analogy, Internet of Things, which is popularly known as ‘IOT’ refers to a process of connecting technological devices via Internet. The technology has been around in the business world for quite a long time but it has gained immense popularity off-lately.

Something that started off with personal computers has now been able to connect smart-phones, TVs, home theatres, home-automation and what not! Truth to be told, IOT is not just a crucial part of corporate world but it has become an indispensable part of everyone’s everyday life.

According to the latest reports by Gartner Inc. the number of interconnected devices will jump up to 13.5 billion by 2020. Undoubtedly, no other technology has shaken the business world as rigorously as IOT. Here is how Internet of Things is going to change the corporate world for good.

Tracking all kind of information at anytime

Most companies depend upon barcode tracking system for inventory control but thanks to IOT one can connect all the equipment, devices, even products in the same network and track all information without any major problems. In case of any major security issues, IOT security solutions and Digital document management will be there to fix it.

Better information about consumer demands

All the interconnected devices will open gigabytes of data to track. You may find it a bit hard to analyze such overwhelming amount of data initially but this will help you fetch in-depth information about your customers and their behavior. These gritty details about your consumers will definitely help you build your business in the right direction. It is a good idea to use visualizing software for processing and analyzing.

Information processing will become way faster

From traffic lights to public transport, IOT can handle anything in a much better way. With Internet of things lot in place, you can process the information much faster than you have ever imagined. This means you can connect with your customers at any time and provide them better services. Business growth highly depends upon how well you connect with your customers and with IOT you can do that with much ease and agility.

A lot of savings on production and energy

Thanks to IOT, energy demands for present day corporate organizations have decreased by a substantial amount. The machines have got smoother and newer ways to operate and maintenance has also become hassle free. This means much lesser expenditure on inventory, which eventually leads to decreased costs.

How to use Customer Reviews to your Advantage

What could be better than customers advertising your products or services for you? Surveys indicate that up 70% of the potential buyers trust customer reviews before making a purchase. The opinion of your customer is usually considered to be authentic and reliable. Even though you might have integrated complicated technologies such as business process management suite for your business, sharing something as simple as real-time experience on your company website, blog, or social media accounts can do wonders for your public image. For obvious reasons, all marketing efforts don’t have the effect of a positive customer review. Here are ways you can use positive customer reviews to the advantage of your company.

         

·         Simplify review posting for customers

You are liable to get more and more ratings and reviews, if the reviewing process is easy and simple. Moreover, it should be visible to each customer. A customer only feels burdened by posting a review if the process is complicated. Moreover, you should work with the development team to make it interactive and entertaining. It should feel like you are genuinely interested in their feedback and the negatives will be worked upon.

·         Ensure instant response to reviews

One sure shot way to ensure the customer satisfaction is to respond immediately or as soon as possible. Irrespective of whether the review is positive or negative, take notice and respond at the earliest. On visible platforms, acknowledge their concerns; this helps in building trust among the customers, since the newer customers will know that you care even if there is a problem.

·         Check review sites periodically

As you might already know, there are several websites that allow customers to post their experience about any brand or business. These sites don’t only show reviews, but they give listings as well. So, you can create accounts on such websites and ensure that your page/section looks good. However, there are sites where you cannot reply, or have you own account. All you can do here is to work on the flaw and ensure that it is communicated to the customers through social media.

·         Share reviews on Social Media

Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are popular platforms among the public and you can leave the positive reviews for the public to see. This, in turn, yields additional comments and reviews that improve the visibility of your brand. Therefore, include positive feedback and reviews on these platforms through official accounts.

In case you have your hands full with company operations, you can hire agencies providing CRM solutions in Dubai or any place depending on your convenience.    

Electronic Document Storage: A Better Alternative

Businesses of all sizes and nature are required to store documents for personal or legal purposes. They are either stored inside a room in the form of papers or on a computer as files. These documents track and record every transaction, invoice, or modification of the enterprise that helps in calculating the output and shortcomings of the business. Further, they are presented as a piece of evidence in the court of law in case of any dispute. Ergo, proper management of these documents is very essential.

Prior to technological advancements, most enterprises relied on paper for storing documents. But with time, people shifted to electronic document management system owing to its many advantages and features. Here is a list of the various advantages of an electronic document management system:-

Reduced storage space

Contrary to paper document management system, electronic document management system is a more convenient option for most enterprises as it does not require any space for storage. In early times, an entire room was dedicated for storing paper documents that required proper maintenance. Incorporating digitalization helped the enterprises to store and manage all the documents in electronic format efficiently and reduce expenses.

Better management

When documents are stored in hard copies, a huge pile of papers forms from which finding one particular document is like looking for a needle in a haystack. In case the documents are not stored in a particular order, misplacing or losing them is a huge possibility. In electronic platforms, one finds a document simply by clicking on the search button.

Security

Security is essential to store sensitive documents securely. Any leak can have the potential to burn down the entire business to the ground, which is why DMS offers a transparent and highly secure medium to store documents. It can allow only selective people to access the documents. Further, it leaves an audit trail of all the people who accessed and modified the documents.

Backup available

Natural disasters are unforeseen adversities that possess a great threat to paper documents. Flood, fire, and other catastrophes can completely destroy every piece of document stored. In such cases, no backup is available from where the data can be retrieved. Electronic document management system always maintains a backup of all the documents that can be accessed when required.