Bao Mei Mei

Cloud Computing is the use of common software, functionality add-ins, or business applications from a remote server that is accessed via the Internet. Basically, the Internet is the “cloud” of applications and services that are available for access by subscribers utilising a modem from their computer. With Cloud Computing, one simply logs into desired computer applications – such as sales force or office automation programs, web services, data storage services, spam filtering, or even blog sites. Generally, access to such programs is by monthly or annual paid subscription. Through Cloud Computing, businesses may prevent financial waste, better track employee activities, and avert technological headaches such as computer viruses, system crashes, and loss of data.

Without Cloud Computing, a business must generally house one or more computer servers, from which all employees access the company’s licensed programs. Through Cloud Computing, the servers which house the software are entirely off-site, with program usage licensed on an as-needed basis through subscription. This may bring down the cost per employee, in that access through a Cloud will generally be more cost effective than purchase of in-house licenses and hardware, and subscriptions are scalable per actual need. Thus, with software pay-per-use, savings are realised from the avoidance of extraneous software licenses and more immediate access to additional programs is possible almost at a whim, without having to go through the upload process on the IT side, as required for in-house servers.

Cloud Computing programs offer great manageability and oversight, from the employee supervision standpoint. Particularly in sales force automation, wherein tracking the activities of a sales team and resulting data can be critical to the success and continuance of a company, being able to obtain a quick view of an employee’s work is both time saving (in reporting) and financially beneficial. Whilst also enabling the sharing of information company-wide, allowing the entire organisation awareness of company objectives and individual and team progress.

As is apparent in any company of one or more employees, modern organisations are at the mercy of their information servers. What once occupied tens to thousands of square feet of company real estate in file cabinets and storage boxes – all of the intellectual property of a company or brand – is now held within the confines of our most critical piece of the company: our servers. These servers are prone to technological failure, crashes, and viral vulnerabilities. Not only can we suffer damages at the mercy of a virus, but we may also spread that damage to organisations with whom we do business.

Through Cloud Computing, programs are contained, troubleshooted, and maintained entirely off-site from the company subscriber. Thus, businesses lose less time from system outages, maintenance, and data loss. Much less frequently does a business need to concern itself with viruses, Trojans, or other threats.

Noted disadvantages to Cloud Computing are: reliance upon network connectivity, peripheral communication (or lack thereof), legal issues (ownership of data), and absence of a hard drive. The most obvious of the negative concerns is the network connectivity. If the network goes down for any reason, the company loses access to Cloud Computing applications, data and services. Of course, there can be temporary use of off-site or wireless connections, but for a company focused on forward momentum, a technical issue such as this can be a daunting risk. Generally such issues are very short-lived and can be immediately addressed through the company’s network provider.

The second concern today is communication of peripheral and connected devices. Before plunging into Cloud Computing full force, one must ensure that the organisation’s devices will all communicate and work well with Cloud applications. This is primarily just an issue with lesser known or older technologies, printers, and devices. Most mainstream devices communicate with Cloud Computing programs and applications, as ensuring wide usability is the number one goal for those offering Cloud Computing.

When initiating sign-up or agreement for services with a Cloud Computing provider, ensuring fine print is thoroughly understood is key. A company must know its data loss variables, prior to utilising the service at full force. One major question to ask is, “Will our data be regularly backed up, and how often?” Also query whether immediate denial of service may be enacted at any time, for how long, and if so, what causes such denial. It is highly important to know what sort of “offenses” may bar you from potentially accessing your own data, as well as whether your data is truly protected in the event of system failure.

Absence of a hard drive – while very attractive at face value – can lead to some issues and concerns with Cloud Computing. Some applications (particularly in design and a more technological realm) require hardware attached to the hard drive for use. Ensure the company’s necessary applications and uses for Cloud Computing do not require hardware attached to a hard drive, prior to forgoing the individual workstation hardware, altogether.

There is no denying the present and future of Cloud Computing. One of the most beneficial realms of use is telecommuting. Cloud Computing has averted the need for constant updating of work performed outside of the office, and enabled workers to log onto their everyday applications wherever they are: in the office, in the airport, at home, or even in the back seat of a car. No longer are days “out of the office” days of lost progress.

Cloud Computing will not only remain a staple in modern business, but will likely streamline organisational operations in many new ways, as well as expanding upon its current uses. Cloud Computing offers a solid answer to the ongoing question all computer users have had since the onset of the computer age, “Will our data communicate with yours?” Most major technology organisations see the bright future of this technology, and are thus throwing hundreds of millions of pounds into development and implementation of new pathways into the Cloud.

By: Imran Zaman

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Innovation is essential for the growth in any section, whether it is country, technology, relationships or professional life. In today’s competitive environment innovation plays a critical role for success of any country, organization and person. “The process of innovation is a rhythm of search and selection, exploration and synthesis, cycles of divergent thinking followed by convergence. Innovation is the key driver of competitive advantage, growth, and profitability.

The success of any organization depends on the innovation in all major business area as all these are linked to each other and ultimately contribute towards the growth of the organization. Following are the essential sectors in any organization, which need continuous innovation, and have a great impact on the business:

Marketing innovation Organization innovation Strategy innovation Technology innovation Process innovation Product innovation
Development of innovation thinking approach is not an easy task and requires lots of practice and understanding of technical field and innovation tactics. Following are the few techniques, which needs to practice for generating new innovations:

Practice focused and insightful observation. Make brainstorming a religion and practice it every day. Make cross pollination an integral part of your workplace and try to find answers from usual and unrelated other domain. Ready for out of box thinking. Consider your work as fun to develop something exciting and interesting everyday and ready to tackle new challenges. Be experimental to purse opportunities, acquire new skills, take and learn from feedback and discover new opportunities. Keep eyes open for inspiration and ask questions to yourself.

By: Vinod Singh

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With Kindle, you can download a book in less than a minute just about anywhere. Kindle is a wireless paperback-sized device which doesn’t need a computer to function. The device stores a book either internally or on a flash memory card. You can connect it to a computer with a USB cable to manage your content, but downloads are encrypted for copy protection. Thousands and thousands of Blogs, national magazines and newspapers are now possible for a nominal fee, with this device.

Hewlett-Packard (HP), which has the pride of inventing inkjet technology and DeskJet printer, plans to shut down some of its manufacturing facilities to reduce expenses and focus on core products as the printer industry matures because of fewer fresh inventions.

3D printing is a relatively new technology. It is considered as the physical version of a CAD file. The foundry, construction and automotive industries welcomes the 3D printing technology with open arms as this proves to make their process smooth, efficient and modernized and increases the speed in product development. They can use the 3D printers to print the CAD designed 3D models directly from a CAD file in order to show a finished product to the client before the work has begun. Rapid prototyping and Custom3D offers a fast professional, beneficial and confidential printing service. This Custom3D also provides affordable patent and design protection 3D printing services to the Institute of Inventors and Innovators. This technology is sure to reduce their massive time, labor and cost.

Connex500, a rapid prototyping 3D printing system of Objet Geometries Ltd, has the ability to print parts and assemblies made of several materials with different mechanical and physical properties in a single build process. The system thus enables the manufacture of 3-D parts using several different materials at the same time. In addition, the system allows users to create composite materials that have pre-set combinations of mechanical properties.

Objet’s Connex500 uses PolyJet Matrix Technology and the most significant Ultraviolet(UV) /Electron-beam (EB) technologies. The system’s PolyJet Matrix Technology jets materials in ultra-thin layers, immediately curing each layer with UV light, a process which yields models that closely imitate the appearance, feel and function of the end products.

The system has outstanding and trendsetting design quality recognized worldwide through assessment of the degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics, durability, environmental compatibility and clarity of function. These features make the automotive, electronics, toy, consumer goods, and footwear industries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Japan to salute this system.

Recently, Connex500 has been recognized for the red dot award, one of the highest and most popular honors for product design and innovation worldwide. It also deserves the pride for receiving this year’s RadTech USA Emerging Technologies Award which honors outstanding users of ultraviolet (UV) and electron beam (EB) technologies.

Connex500 system serves as one of the most innovative and high quality design advances of the past year in the printing industry. The system offers high resolution 3-dimensional printing solutions for rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing.

By: Michael A Jordan

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Today, mapping is not just handwork of artists; time has revolutionized the technology, bringing about innovation that repeats to an unforeseen future. People no longer take pain drawing irregular curves and corners in maps using their pencils and sketches, rather they convert the digital images of geography into information tools and maps. In this scenario, discussing on reliable mapping technology like Photogrammetry is promising and incisive.

Photogrammetry, in general, is the latest available technology, which helps to shape, orient, size and position objects from numerous pictures taken at different angles. It is widely used in Geospatial arena to produce topographic maps, which includes both orthophoto maps and line maps. These maps help to determine the accurate position, height, width, orientation, and shape of geographical features. Pictures generated after photogrammetry are photochemical images or photoelectric images depending upon the photographic methods followed in the process. The output of photogrammetric analysis can be numbers, drawings, geometric models and images. Photogrammetry is used for different purposes, such as topographic mapping, architecture, engineering, manufacturing, quality control, investigation, and geology. This technique is employed to combine live action with computer generated imagery in movie post-production.

Photogrammetry process includes two key processes- Orthorectification and Remote Sensing. Orthorectification is the technology employed to transform the central projection of the photograph into an orthogonal view of the ground, thereby removing the distorting effects of tilt and terrain relief. Remote Sensing is used to acquire geospatial information about earth’s surface using the reflective and refractive properties of electromagnetic radiations (EMR). In a way, both are distinctive parts of photogrammetry offering the technology for substantiating map information.

The by-product of orthorectification process is orthoimage or orthophotos. Digital satellite images and aerial photographs play a vital role in general mapping, as well as GIS data acquisition and visualization. The orthorectification process provides you a solid visual effect and a basis for gathering spatial information. The output generated would then enable you to do functions like making direct and accurate measurements of distances, angles, positions, and areas. Through remote sensing spectral, spatial, and temporal information about material objects, area, or phenomenon is acquired. In other words, remote sensing enables space information transfer without direct physical contact with the objects, or area, or phenomenon under investigation.

While these two technologies are nodal in photogrammetric services, there has been continuous improvement in the technologies used for mapping. The arrival of high speed desktop computers has made remarkable changes in the photogrammetric processes over the years. However, the basic principles have remained the same until this day. Today, a graphics program allows the operator to digitize the features and save the vectors and points to a digital file. The latest technologies used for photogrammetry services include Aerial triangulation, Digital Elevation Model (DEM)/ Digital Terrain Model (DTM) generation, Stereo compilation, Topographic and planimetric feature extraction, Orthophoto production, Color balancing, Mosaicing and tile generation, Pan Sharpening, Contour Generation, and LiDAR data processing.

Concisely, Photogrammetry helps to collate accurate information to topographic maps and thereby provide reliable resources for geographical studies. With the introduction of new-age fast processing systems and technological advancements, we can expect simplification of photogrammetric services and enhancement of Geospatial information System (GIS).

By: Gayathri L

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Course in fashion is one of the most sought after careers by today’s young generation. With more and more people becoming fashion conscious it has become essential to be always aware of the latest trends and styles. In fact wearing well stitched clothes combined with the right colors and right fabric has become more of a necessity. Whether it is an interview, a social gathering, a wedding, a formal or informal party; we are mostly judged more by our clothes than anything else.

Therefore most individuals nowadays try to buy designer clothes that speak of the latest trends. Fashion institutes are also on the rise as the young generation is not only trying to stay in vogue but seeking career in fashion technology that can help them to be the trend setters. This is a glamorous field with great career options and immense potentiality for exposure in the market. Fashion professionals can become renowned and create a name for themselves both nationally and internationally. But it is a misconception that a course in fashion is a piece of cake. In fact fashion and technology have become the most integral parts of our lives today. Perfect style and latest trends come with innovative ideas and modern thinking. And fashion colleges teach their students the technique of putting their innovative ideas on fabric.

The curriculum of fashion institutes in India is quite rigorous and just as professional courses in any other field require time, dedication, patience and continuous hard work; so is the case with courses in fashion. A person pursuing this career should also have some amount of creativity accompanied with an eye for detail, imagination and at least some amount of drawing skills. But most fashion colleges make their students completely prepared before they step out into the industry. The options are innumerable with the scope to grow really famous and technically expert; provided you are willing to work hard.

Students pursuing fashion technology can choose options of becoming:

* Fashion designer
* Illustrator
* Merchandiser in garment or export houses
* Fashion consultant for big brands or Retail chains
* Individual designer with a personal brand name
* Fashion writer
* Production Manager
* Quality Controller
* Fabric Manager etc.

The fashion design institutes in India not only offer curriculum that meets the industry standards but also provide hands on experience to their students. They are given practical training and also the chance to earn stipends while still pursuing the course. Therefore it is very important to join an institute that can give you your money’s worth otherwise all your efforts will go down the drain.

By: Yogesh Kumar G

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Daily, more organizations are looking toward partnering strategies to assist in global competitiveness. Business executives are realizing that their companies can no longer go it alone. Many are achieving business success and growth through methodical and strategic planning. Three important reasons for you to consider adopting the development of strategic alliances in your strategic plan are:

1. Increase in Technological Sophistication

2. Improvement in Training

3. Accelerate Your Innovation Process

Technological Sophistication

An exchange of technology to compliment your core strengths shores up your core weakness and improves production capabilities to better serve customers. An example of this type of alliance is the alliance of Kinko’s Service Corp. (copy centers) and Xerox Engineering Systems to establish a nationwide network for faxing large-format documents. This service was especially valuable to architects, contractors and advertising agencies before file transfer protocol became practical. Kinko’s gets a revenue boost and Xerox gets additional placement and unit sales.

Technical hotlines and on-site technical support are regularly available from suppliers with whom you’ve developed alliances. While much of this has been outsourced to India over the years, this type of alliance can overcome the cost benefit in outsourcing offshore.

To receive a technological contribution or possibly a technological edge in your industry like the alliance between IBM and Apple to develop a new computer operating system that allows both hardware formats to communicate, or like Nynex Corp. and Philips Electronics who joined to develop screen telephones for residential use.

Training

Learning curve commitment. Cost savings are passed along as experience is gained in producing a new product, and discounts are available on start-up products to encourage early sales.

Better sales and technical training for your employees is an important benefit in partnering with your suppliers. More manufacturers and distributors are developing training programs for dealers.

Guggenheim Dental, a dental supply distributor in Southern California is now regularly offering training programs for their top customers. Recently, at a seminar I delivered for the National Nutritional Foods Association, I suggested to the retailers that they only buy their nutritional supplements from suppliers that offer training DVDs. This is an added benefit in the seller/buyer relationship.

Innovation

The computer and electronics industries have profited greatly from alliance relationships. Innovation has become commonplace for firms that have chosen to work together. The University of Toronto’s Innovations Foundation signed an agreement with Northway Explorations Ltd. and Polyphalt, a private Ontario, Canada company, to deliver polymer-modified asphalt materials technology for longer lasting roads to the commercial market.

To differentiate oneself from the competition. Steelcase’s alliance with Peerless Lighting, located in Berkeley, California, offers state-of-the-art office lighting. The relationship has brought Steelcase an additional $15 to $35 million in annual furniture sales. Also, they received additional dollars from the light fixture billings.

A term that is appearing in some business publications, Open Innovation really means innovation through partnering. Open innovation refers to companies admitting they do not have all the answers and are now considering strategic alliances with other companies to access their proprietorial or intellectual properties to use in new ideas for their own company. While this is simply a new name for strategic alliance, the system has been proven successful for decades. Finally, more organizations are getting on-board with the idea.

Technological sophistication, training and innovation are three of many reasons that you will want to have strategic alliances in your future strategic plans.

By: Ed Rigsbee

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