by Felicien | Oct 17, 2018 | Education
What Are You Doing for Spreadsheet Day?
Spreadsheets: some people love them, some people hate them, and some people are a little afraid of them. No matter which category you may currently fall into, you probably know that spreadsheets are vital to the inner workings of organizations ranging in size from massive Fortune 500 companies to small, locally owned businesses. At this very moment, millions of spreadsheets are probably open all across the world – and it seems fitting that there is a day to celebrate the birth of the modern digital spreadsheet.
VisiCalc, the First Spreadsheet Program
October was chosen for the month in which Spreadsheet Day would occur for a very simple reason that not many people are aware of: it was October 17 of 1979 when the first spreadsheet program was released. It was called VisiCalc, for those of you who may not have been alive then, and it ran on the Apple II computer. With the release of this software, the often overwhelming task of organizing massive amounts of numerical data not only became streamlined but, for some of us, actually became enjoyable.
VisiCalc (whose name means Visible Calculator) was the brainchild of Dan Bricklin of Software Arts. It functioned much like a paper spreadsheet, hence its classification as a spreadsheet program. But unlike a paper spreadsheet, you didn’t need a pencil or an eraser. And the calculations could be performed automatically and with incredible accuracy.
By running on the Apple II computer, the power of spreadsheets became accessible not just to corporations and large organizations but too small businesses and homeowners, too. There are other things that set VisiCalc apart from previous attempts to develop electronic spreadsheets, such as the instant recalculation of values when the value in a dependent cell was changed, or it’s interactive WYSIWYG interface that still resembles what we use today. In short, VisiCalc was the starting point for the modern spreadsheet that we know today.
The Ubiquity of the Spreadsheet
You might be surprised at the multitude of applications there are for spreadsheets. We know spreadsheets are used for tasks such as accounting, sales, business intelligence, and finance. Professors, instructors, and teachers use spreadsheets to track class performance and assign grades. Engineers and scientist alike use them to perform simulations, create complex models, and analyze massive sets of data. Homeowners use them to track expenses and set up budgets. Small business owners use them to keep track of inventory and sales. Large companies use hundreds of different spreadsheets for just about everything imaginable — from simple tasks that require a small portion of a worksheet to massive workbooks with thousands of calculations and complex visualizations.
When it comes to data, spreadsheets can model, manipulate, sort, organize, visualize, and process large sets of both numerical and non-numerical data. Spreadsheets can be used to perform what-if analysis, make predictions based on existing data, inform decisions, and perform extremely complex calculations. They can be used for optimization, curve fitting, and solving simultaneous equations. And one of the benefits of spreadsheets, to quote an old professor of the author’s, is that if you can do it once, and do it right, you may never have to do it again.
Modern Spreadsheet Packages
We aren’t limited to VisiCalc in modern times, however. We’ve got a wide variety of options when it comes to spreadsheet packages, including:
Microsoft Office Excel (which is available both as desktop software and online)
Google Sheets
Corel Quattro Pro
LibreOffice Calc
OpenOffice.org Calc
iWork Numbers
There other less well-known options available, too, but Excel is what most people think of when someone says “spreadsheet.”
Modern packages offer numerous types of formulas and functions, including those for finance, accounting, mathematics, statistics, probability, and string manipulation, just to name a few. And the visualization capabilities of spreadsheets are constantly evolving to enable users to give even more context and meaning to data. How spreadsheets process massive sets of calculations is also growing, with some packages supporting multi-threaded processing. The types of data that can be processed within a spreadsheet are rapidly expanding beyond floating point numbers and characters, and some packages such as Excel are including aspects of artificial intelligence among new capabilities.
How Can You Celebrate Spreadsheet Day?
There are quite a few ways to celebrate Spreadsheet Day. One of the best ways is to expand your knowledge of spreadsheets. It’s always a good idea to increase your skill set when it comes to computer applications, but especially so when it comes to spreadsheets. Spreadsheets can make your work much easier if you learn how to make the best use of them. Take our word for it – spreadsheets can do so much more than you realize.
That’s why we think the very best way to celebrate the birthday of the modern spreadsheet is to register for free online Excel training at SpreadsheetsTraining.com. Sharpen your existing skills, learn something new, and find out new ways to put spreadsheets to work for you!
by Felicien | Oct 16, 2018 | Education
Technology has unlocked a world of potential for businesses everywhere. But with these advances comes a new set of problems, like malware. While it’s common knowledge that computers are susceptible to viruses, today’s breed of hackers are more creative than ever. They’re utilizing new, innovative techniques to infiltrate systems of businesses big and small.
Not all malware is created equal. Just like infectious disease, there are different strains of malware, many with the potential to wreak havoc on your business network. In today’s business landscape, tech departments are faced with the task of not only stopping these attacks before they happen, but with quickly repairing networks in the event that an attack has hit.
The Problem With LoJax
One recent attack has IT departments up in arms. A Russian hacking group created the Rootkit, named “LoJax”. According to ESET, a leader in IT security, the campaign delivering LoJax targeted certain organizations in the Balkans and other countries throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
The problem with LoJax is that it isn’t just any ordinary malware. It’s used to gain persistent access to a computer, and with its reputation for being hard to detect, it’s causing quite the problem for users. Much to the horror of IT professionals, this hacking technique is so complex that it can withstand a variety of common fixes. Some of these include a reformat, a complete OS reinstall and a hard-disk swap.
This unique type of malware lives in a system’s flash RAM, meaning the only way to clear it is to over-write the infected machine’s flash storage. This presents its own set of challenges, and isn’t even a guaranteed fix unless you’re armed with the right code.
What Is Spectre?
Spectre is the name of an underlying vulnerability affecting the vast majority of computer chips manufactured within the last two decades. If this vulnerability is exploited within a system, it could enable attackers to gain access to data that was previously deemed protected. Lojax directly leverages this vulnerability, making it all the more difficult to detect before it hits.
If attackers are successful, they can they utilize LoJax to access systems remotely, and on a constant basis. This allows them to inject it with additional malware. This type of malware can also be utilized to track a particular system’s location, and potentially the owner’s location.
What’s At Risk?
UEFIs are particularly at risk. UEFI, Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, is a specification for the interface between a computer’s operating system and its firmware. It runs pre-boot apps and is responsible for booting the OS. By re-writing the rootkit, the malware is able to stay hidden within the computer’s flash memory, making it difficult to repair.
How To Protect Your Network
Businesses can implement a series of additional security measures to minimize the risk of a cyber attack on their network, especially one as severe and unpredictable as LoJax.
One of the single biggest mistakes businesses are making is running their operations on old, outdated equipment. Not only can this hinder productivity, but it can also leave businesses more susceptible to a cyber attack. Investing in new equipment that runs the latest and most improved hardware means security measures are often built in.
Keeping equipment up-to-date can become costly, but it can also minimize the chances of an even costlier network revamp in the event that a catastrophic cyber attack takes place and compromises everything a company has worked so hard to build.
Exercise Caution With Emails
Malware can gain access to your system through one of several ways. One of the most common methods is e-mail. It’s wise to take a cautionary approach to e-mail when utilizing your work network. Be wary of e-mails from strange e-mail addresses and also be cautious of what websites you are visiting, taking care to only visit safe, reliable sites.
Implement A Secure Boot
While malware like LoJax are especially hard to combat, IT departments can take comfort in the fact that not all hope is lost. One method of prevention is Secure Boot. This mechanism ensures that only securely signed firmware are able to boot up and run on a particular system. With signature verification required, Secure Boot makes it possible to prevent uniquely complex malware like LoJax from successfully infecting a system. Businesses are encouraged to review the Secure Boot configuration throughout the entirety of their hardware.
Malware Cleaning
Once you suspect a computer within your network is infected, it’s important to take action immediately. Be sure to back up your files before you attempt any type of intensive cleaning. Also, don’t attempt to repair complex computer issues alone. Your IT department can help you create a comprehensive game plan to address the problem and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Your system can come under attack when you least expect. Given that phishing is still a go-to strategy for hackers to penetrate systems, security awareness is more important than ever. Create a solid line of defense, and an effective response strategy, to ensure an attack doesn’t compromise your business. Security awareness training can serve an important role in helping your organization stay protected from hackers.
by Felicien | Oct 16, 2018 | Education
From the invention of the assembly line to cloud computing for the Discrete, Repetitive, and Process Manufacturing industries, updating to the latest technology is never in question. What does get closer scrutiny, is deciding to invest in Microsoft technologies. That’s what Rolls Royce did, and now they use Microsoft technology platforms, to fundamentally transform, how it uses data to serve their customers better.
5 Microsoft Technologies Offered to Discrete, Repetitive, and Process Manufacturers
Every CEO or business owner knows reducing overhead, and expenses on server maintenance, technology management, and upgrading code benefits the company both short-term and long. It’s the same viewpoint manufacturers have always had for their operations.
The five areas of interest to Manufacturers is Microsoft’s Azure technologies in these areas:
IoT
Machine Learning
Large-Scale Computing
Hybrid Clouds
Blockchain
Internet of Things (IoT)
The Internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, actuators, and connectivity which enables these things to connect, collect and exchange data.
When managing hundreds of thousands of devices, around the globe, while large quantities of data get streamed, and then; processing and storing that same data in real-time, is a job only the cloud was explicitly designed to pull off. That’s why Azure got designed. It will deliver both Platforms-as-a-Service (PaaS) and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), making it easy for all types of Manufacturers to choose Microsoft Azure.
From the Platform as a Service level, you will find five Azure platform services:
Azure IoT Hub – you can directly and securely connect and consume data from IoT assets
Azure IoT Hub Device Provisioning Service – you can provision millions of devices in a secure and scalable manner
IoT Edge – you can run advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence at the device level
Azure Stream Analytics – integrates with Azure IoT Hub to enable real-time analytics on data from IoT devices and applications.
Azure IoT Suite – provides a set of preconfigured IoT solutions for workloads such as Remote Monitoring, Predictive Maintenance, and Connected Factory.
From the Software-as-a-Service level, you have Microsoft’s IoT Central. It is a fully managed IoT SaaS solution. IoT Central makes it easy to connect, manage and monitor the Internet of Things assets at scale, allowing it to create deep insights from the IoT data to take necessary and informed action.
Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Microsoft continually improves old tools. They also build new ones to simplify the process of integrating these technologies with your business. These are significant areas of investment for both Microsoft and Manufacturers, limited only by your imagination.
Azure Machine Learning Services – are integrated, end-to-end, advanced analytics and data science solution that permits data scientists to develop experiments, prepare data, and deploy models at cloud scale.
Azure Machine Learning Studio – is a drag-and-drop collaborative tool you use to build, test, and deploy predictive analytics solutions on your data
Azure Bot Service – is an integrated environment that is purpose-built for bot development, permitting you to build, connect, deploy, manage and test intelligent bots.
Cognitive Services – are intelligent algorithms to see, hear, speak, understand, and interpret user needs through natural methods of communication.
Large-scale Computing
Large-scale computing is a building block when working with large datasets, especially for computationally-intensive engineering workloads. Manufacturers use rendering, and simulation technologies such as Azure Batch, to run massive parallel and HPC batch jobs.
Also used is Microsoft HPC Pack, Linux RDMA cluster to run Message Passing Interface (MPI) applications, and high-performance VMs lets you dynamically extend to Azure, when you need additional capacity, and deploy an on-premises Windows compute cluster.
Hybrid Clouds
Hybrid Clouds have become popular choices for manufacturers, just not ready to make a full commitment to the cloud. Lack of engagement might be something as simple as, keeping some company data and systems in-house.
That’s when Microsoft got the idea to create, Microsoft Azure Stack, for common scenarios like this. The Azure Stack is a hybrid cloud platform. The platform lets you deliver Azure services from your organization’s data center.
In Manufacturing, there are two daily routines, that have made hybrid cloud deployments particularly attractive to manufacturers:
Edge and Disconnected Environments – Often IoT implementations include devices that are intermittently connected, or not connected at all to the Internet.
Security and Compliance Requirements – Highly secure devices often are unable to connect directly to the internet and must use a local service. That is more common in the manufacture of goods for the military and defense sectors.
Blockchain Technologies
Bitcoin, a form of Cryptocurrency, relies heavily on the blockchain technology. However, Blockchain-as-a-technology (BaaT) became a much broader application to use. Easy-to-deploy templates from Microsoft that run on Azure for the most popular ledgers, including their Azure Blockchain Service.
Blockchain gained more attention with Manufacturers, as they began using tools like these in the cloud. It has the potential to address several essential manufacturing scenarios including
Asset Management
Counterfeit Prevention
Digital Thread Traceability
Supply Chain Management
IoT Tracking and Identification
The deep integration of all these services is Azure’s fundamental value proposition. It might be from Microsoft or Open Source, with on-premises systems, rich operational analytics, strong SLAs, and compliance certifications, you can still trust they have the right answers for your manufacturing company.
If you are still wavering, about investing your manufacturing firm in Microsoft technologies, who better to look to, then a technology giant that’s been transforming businesses and manufacturers, around the globe, for nearly half a century.
Did you find this article informative? If you liked this one, check out our other content we think you’ll find interesting.
by Felicien | Oct 16, 2018 | Education
Good news for people wanting a new Microsoft Surface Pro 6 2-in-1. It is all grown up. No longer just for schools, video-games, and weekend play, the new Surface Pro is ready for prime-time. It has a sleek new look and a thicker, black non-slip coating on the exterior. This makes it much more professional-looking than previous versions. In fact, that is one of the main selling-points—its classy, elegant appearance.
Tablets are generally seen as more convenient than a laptop or a clunky, antiquated desktop. However, they also have a screen size that’s easier to view. This makes them portable, but more useful than a smartphone screen would be. Plus, with the addition of a keypad along with the touchscreen, this is a multifunctional device.
Additionally, it is as useful as it is attractive. At a whopping 67-percent faster speed, the eighth-generation Intel quad-core i5 processor handles work and play with equal capability. One of the things customers requested was a more professional-looking workstation, with faster processing using multiple cores and Microsoft Pro 6 definitely provides that.
What Are Its Primary Features?
One of the primary selling points is the more professional appearance. The muted colors that the Pro 5 were available in, included blue, red, and silver. The black-colored cover that has only been provided in the Pro 6 is considered much more appropriate for the work environment than the brighter options previously offered.
A second feature that makes the upgrade beneficial is the advanced speed. Although the Surface Pro was already considered fast, the newest iteration is significantly more so. It can be purchased with either 8GB or 16GB of memory and comes with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB SSD.
What Makes It Better Than Previous Versions?
The superior speed of use and professional appearance are its main selling points. Truly, it depends on what one is buying the tablet for. If it is for a child’s homework or video game playing, then the Pro 5 might be a better choice. The Pro 6 has less desirable graphics for gaming, while the Pro 5 has the most superior graphics capabilities of the two, and includes a faster and more capable CPU. If one is buying the tablet for business purposes, the Pro 6 is likely the preferred option, as it has superior speed without all the glitz.
How Are the Surface Pro 5 and Surface Pro 6 Similar?
Both Pro 5 and Pro 6 are available with the following attributes, and some would argue that they are nearly identical. They have a 12.3-inch display, which is more than enough for most users and is the same size as many laptop computers. Both are available with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of RAM. They each have a battery-life of around 13 hours.
Some of their notable features include the following:
Headphone Jack
MicroSDXC Card Reader
Mini-DisplayPort
Surface Connect Port
USB-A 3.0 Port
Multi-touch PixelSense
One of the main things that previous versions have that this one does not is the truly impressive graphics. The Surface Pro 5 is sold with an Intel® HD Graphics 620.
What Are Other Options?
One of the primary aspects that other devices have is their port options. For example, many laptop options have Thunderbolt connectors, which allow them to handle larger files much more quickly than older machines. If you’re planning on using a two-in-one for heavy audio or video usage, you may want to consider your options thoroughly. Without Thunderbolt or USB-C, simple tasks like transfers or opening files can take quite a long time. Much of the time spent doing a project can be waiting for files to transfer, render, load, etc.
Neither the Surface Pro 5 or the 6 comes equipped with a USB-C or Thunderbolt 3 connector. This wasn’t considered a major issue with previous devices. However, since recent editions of modern 2-in-ones have them now, it is a bit surprising.
Some of the competitors in the field include the following:
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
Eve V
HP EliteBook x360 G2
HP Envy x2 (Qualcomm)
HP Spectre x360
Lenovo Miix 720
Lenovo Yoga 920
Surface Book 2 (13 inch)
Although there are lots of options, Microsoft has been around since 1975. As a long-time contender, it has more than proven its abilities and staying power.
In Conclusion
When one doesn’t want to sit at a desk all day, perhaps a tablet is the best option. It allows for mobility, versatility, and flexibility. With a Microsoft Surface Pro 6 you can make the best of work and play. Although the graphics are not as great as they were with the Surface Pro 5, they are decent. Both are light enough to take into the office or on vacation. With a one-year warranty and a first-class support system, you cannot go wrong. Microsoft just keeps getting better and better.
by Felicien | Oct 16, 2018 | Education
Steve Jobs Day Sheds Light On Apple Founder’s Legacy
In today’s modern world, the name “Apple” has become synonymous with technology. It’s no wonder then that Steve Jobs, the company’s late co-founder, has become such an influential figure in American history. His contributions are well documented in motion pictures, books and an authorized biography.
October 16 is known as Steve Jobs Day, which was declared in 2011 by the Governor of California. The day brings forth the opportunity to reflect on the life of the famed innovator and how his contributions have helped advance the human race. From iPhones to iPads and every single app in between, one could argue that humanity would not be as technologically savvy without the work of Steve Jobs.
In August of this year, Apple achieved what no other company in history has done. It became the first publicly traded U.S. company to reach $1 trillion. Not only is this historic in terms of branding, but it brings to light the incredible ingenuity the company has displayed throughout the years. Along with his partner Steve Wozniak, Jobs’ innovations have helped solidify an incredible legacy likely to stand the test of time.
The Early Years
Jobs grew up in the San Francisco bay area in the 1960s. By the age of 10, he had developed a fascination with electronics, likely due largely in part to time spent with his father building crafts. This hobby paved the way for Jobs’ establishment of Apple in 1976, along with his co-founder Steve Wozniak.
Jobs sat at the helm of Apple’s operations until 1985, when he broke ties with the company and established NeXT computers. Apple later purchased NeXT and paved the way for Jobs’ return to the company in 1997.
Apple Computers
While Jobs can’t be credited for inventing the first computer, his founding of Apple paved the way for its widespread use. The computers that came before Apple was expensive and typically used only for business purposes. The introduction of the Apple II, the brainchild of Jobs and Steve Wozniak, changed this concept forever. Marketed as the world’s first mass-market personal computer, the Apple II meant users could now access the technology from the privacy of their own homes.
More than two decades later, in 1998, Apple released the iMac, an all-in-one computer. One of Apple’s lesser-known inventions is the iBook, which was introduced in 1999. The laptop came equipped with Wi-Fi technology and a few upgrades to its design. People today may remember it for its tangerine and blueberry color options and clamshell design.
The Apple iPad, introduced in 2010, has made the Internet even further accessible. This tablet computer was built more for entertainment than previous devices, making it a staple in many households, utilized by children and adults alike. The product was deemed so successful that Apple sold more than 15 million of these devices in its first year.
The iPhone
Of all Apple’s products, none is as influential in the tech world as the iPhone. Apple’s introduction of the iPhone marked a paradigm shift for the traditional mobile phone. Apple’s version, like the majority of its most revolutionary products, boasted a sleek, simple design that helped further uncomplicate technology for the masses.
Introduced in 2007, the phone has undergone a radical series of redesigns over the years, each year presenting more opportunities for productivity than the last. Prior to the invention of the iPhone, mobile phones’ primary purpose was to access chatting and emailing. Today’s version is utilized for web-surfing, Facetiming, social media and the utilization of an endless stream of apps available for download at users’ fingertips. Frequent updates and new designs ensure Apple users are getting the best product possible, which has helped the brand amass its own population of loyal followers.
The iPod
One of Apple’s most significant inventions to date remains the iPod. While mp3 players had been on the market for several years, Apple’s version was seen by many as far superior, and so it began to dominate the market. Able to store thousands of songs, the iPod grew in success with the help of other products, such as Apple iTunes, which was released in 2001. The new technology allowed users to organize their digital library on both their personal computer and through their devices. The iTunes Music Store went live in 2003.
Not all of Jobs’ best inventions were technological. The innovator is also credited with inventing the world’s first glass staircase. The design, which was awarded a patent in 2002, has been used across some of Apple’s flagship stores and has since been adopted, in some sense, by both commercial and residential properties the world over.
Steve Jobs Day is a day designated for honoring the Jobs legacy, but his impact is seen daily, in the hands of millions. While Apple, as a company, has certainly carried on without him, Jobs is one innovator unlikely to ever be forgotten.
