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Ask any CIO and he will tell you that if they have not migrated to the cloud, they are doing so, or in the process of planning out the migration. Moving your server and application infrastructure offsite is now a standard goal. We know the current status is an in-house server room with servers, racks, air conditioning, and everything else that goes with it. We also know that the end-result is an empty server room with everything either at an LA colocation offsite data center or in the cloud. The question is, how do you manage the period between? When all your applications run off in-house servers, the answer is easy. Colocation. You do not need to buy anything, or rent any expensive services. You need to move your existing equipment from your server room to another data center like Rack Alley. Your applications will still run on your servers, except your servers will now operate at someone else’s facility, where everything from air conditioning, to fire suppression will be state of the art. Eventually you can start moving workloads from these servers to cloud applications that don’t have any specific infrastructure. The remaining workloads can either remain on collocated servers or transitioned to newer hardware. The only drawback with the approach is that you will essentially have two migrations. One from in-house to colocation, and from colocation to cloud/colocation. However, given the benefits, the extra effort is...
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Whenever you have a large project deployment or implementation on the horizon, it is important to take stock of steps you need to take beforehand. Here are three important steps before an EDI implementation: Step 1 Catalog all existing software developed in-house or a by a third-party that does not have built-in or plugin based support from the EDI software. In each of these cases, an adaptor or integration module will need to be developed so that it can interface. However, if the communication is solely with the ERP, then that application can be ignored. Step 2 Look at any upcoming changes to company structure or procedures, especially those that will impact trading or financial transactions. Often, companies make the decision to go ahead and then introduce a structural change that impacts the project. Changes like that can cost a lot of time, money, along with potential opportunity costs. Step 3 Finally, locate vendors who will support all stages of the integration with the EDI software. All vendors should supply primary focal points who will coordinate with the integration team and make the necessary changes. When no vendor exists for an application, then look at replacement immediately to prevent any delays. Article by Act Data Services, Inc. 1-800-ACT-DATA. Grow your organization and access bigger markets with EDI software from Act...
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Summary: Freelance animation can give you more flexibility than working in a traditional studio. Keeping some guidelines in mind can improve your chances of getting work regularly. Freelance work is popular because of all of the freedom it gives people. Although freelance work may seem appealing, there are some big disadvantages that could steer you away. A major downside of freelance work is the fact that your work is not always guaranteed. Since a freelance animator’s paycheck likely arrives after a project has been completed, your ability to consistently get projects depends on how well you work. Never Stop Learning Technology is constantly evolving. New software, new techniques, and new tools are coming out quite regularly. Even if you do not intend to use every new tool that comes out, you should at least try to keep up to date with what is going on. You may stumble upon something that can improve your workflow, whether that be video wall integration for reviewing rough cuts or finding a plugin that helps you get your ideas out much quicker. This can give you a competitive edge over other animators searching for clients. Be Flexible One of the most important parts about doing work for someone else is creating something that the client is pleased with. Big businesses like ConstantTech.com need to be able to work to meet their customers’ needs. Similarly, if a client of yours wants you to make revisions to fit what they had in mind, you should be able to revisit the work to create a product they are satisfied with. A happier client will be more likely to recommend you to other potential...
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Summary: If you commute to and from work you can multitask to stay productive. Delivering a product or service that is of high quality can attract new customers and keep existing ones coming back. When you are running a business you need to think carefully about how you use your time. Most people need to commute to and from work. This “idle” time can oftentimes be viewed as unproductive but there are a number of ways you can make the most of your commute. If you want to stay busy and turn your morning and afternoon commutes to and from the office you can explore a few different options. Podcasts and Audiobooks No matter if you drive, cycle, or ride public transportation to work, there is still time for you to learn. Podcasts and audiobooks are easy to download on your phone, so you can learn while on-the-go. There are podcasts and audiobooks on various interesting topics. Whether you are listening to something related to your line of work or a captivating fictional story, you can continue to learn and keep your mind stimulated. Head-start on Work If you take the train or use ride-sharing services for your commute you can use the travel time to get started on some work. You can respond to emails directly from your phone or use it as a wifi hotspot for your laptop or tablet. Working during the commute might not be ideal but it can decrease the amount of work you have to do either at the office or at home. Even if you only have half an hour to work during your commute each day, these small bits of time can ultimately add up to a lot of time at home for other things. Blog submitted by Constant Technologies, Inc.: If you are interested in operations center furniture or need command center consoles for your organization, head to Constant Technologies, Inc. to explore their command center workstation...
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Ever since referees ruled against the goal that took England out of the World Cup in 2010, the sport ignored calls for the introduction of technology that would assist referees when there was some doubt. That is until now. There are several trials ongoing that look to explore the possibility of introducing goal-line technology to the sport. Here are two of the technologies under review: The first is a system known as HawkEye, which is similar to the system in both Tennis and Cricket which uses multiple cameras to track the location of the ball in real-time. The cameras will track the location of the ball near and in the goal post at all times. When there is a controversial goal-line incident, the referees can ask for confirmation of the goal from the system. If the ball crosses the plane of the goal completely, the system can provide confirmation The other system uses a completely different approach to ball tracking. The goal will require a series of wires to form a magnetic field within the area. The ball will contain wiring that disrupts the magnetic field. When the ball is within the magnetic field of the goal in its entirety, the system can confirm that it is a goal. Like the above, there are several systems in trial which will go a long way towards removing controversy from the game, allowing players and fans to focus on what really matters. Written by Soccer Garage. Buy soccer balls for cheap or any other soccer gear from one of the largest collection of soccer equipment online at Soccer...
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There are so many options when you consider your EDI implementation that the entire process can become overwhelming. To make the comparison easier, Act Data Services, Inc. 1-800-ACT-DATA has put together a list of the pros and cons of staying in-house or outsourcing the project: In-house The pros of keeping it in-house revolve around control. You have control of the entire system and can decide and implement changes as you see fit. You can also execute those changes faster since you don’t need to go through a third-party. Also, you will be the point of contact for any issues. On the other hand, this will involve a significant staffing requirement with expertise in EDI, communication, and business systems. Along with the control, you will also get the responsibility for all maintenance, downtime, and issues. When something goes wrong, the buck will stop with the internal team. Outsourced Going with an EDI outsource operation means you give up control of the system to a third party. Also, you will have some issues when you want to switch to another company, as the migration process is non-trivial. On the positive side, you don’t have to worry about any of the technical issues or requirements. You will always have access to the latest systems. Also, the outsourcing company will have all the expertise you need to get the operation running smoothly. Ultimately the decision rests on your requirements. However, for companies starting out on EDI or those who don’t have a large trading volume, outsourcing is the better...
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When it’s time to set up tents and other details for your outdoor event, you need to think about ways to keep vendors and guests from overheating. One of the outdoor cooling options to consider is portable AC units. These can be set up on tables around the outdoor event so that the air circulates from one area to another. Portable units are often smaller than a standard air conditioner but cool a significant space the same as a large unit would. Evaporative coolers are also an option. These are fans that are set up to blow across a filter that has water inside. As the water is cooled from the fan, the air in the area will begin to cool. This is an option to consider if you’re in a dry environment. Standing fans can also be used in conjunction with the coolers as a way to circulate more air through tents and buildings that are set up at the event. If there is a secure ceiling in the tent or venue, then you can use ceiling fans. Before setting up for the festival, try to position tents and buildings in areas where there isn’t as much asphalt says MovinCool. The material can radiate heat, making guests and vendors feel hotter than what they already feel from the air temperature. Try to set up the event in shaded areas as well. Misters are also an option and come in various sizes so that people can hold them when they are participating in selling or special events at the...
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