Consider for a minute the world of science fiction. The whole genre is less about fantastic images of a future world than it is about commentary about how humanity functions when faced with drastic change. Many of the 20th century?s best science fiction authors legitimately thought that by the turn of the millennium we?d have flying cars, have visited the surfaces of other planets, and have developed sentient computer men that would usher in utopia. Of course, that time is long gone and, now, almost one-fifth into the new century, we have barely mastered self-driving cars, haven?t really explored the solar system, and have developed some machine learning capabilities that we bill as ?artificial intelligence? when it is really just advanced data analysis. That?s not to say we haven?t come a long, long way in a short period of time, and that the pace in which change is happening isn?t accelerating; but, ultimately, we tend to let our imaginations run away with us too often. This month we will attempt to look into the future to see how the technology we?re developing today will change the world, and how that technology will affect humanity. Where are we now? As we stated before, the best way to gauge what will come is to look at where we are. Some of the technologies written in fiction have come to fruition. Smartphones and tablets, nanotechnology, even A.I. (as it is today) are all right out of a science fiction novel from the 1960s. Today?s business is operating on two fronts. On one hand they have their operations, and on the other they have their online presence. In fact, many times, the difference between two similar businesses is how they?ve been able to use the Internet to their advantage. As the transcendent technology in a time where there are several society-changing technology innovations, the Internet is now available on almost any device you can imagine, and for the business that hasn?t yet embraced the technology, it can be intimidating to consider how to begin. Some of the technology offered on the Internet, like cloud computing and social media are both relatively new and extraordinarily useful. Many small businesses have started moving parts (or all) of their computing infrastructure to the cloud, using virtual environments to cut infrastructure costs and provide superior accessibility. Social media has also been extremely useful for the average small business by giving them access to a whole cache of potential customers, and a platform in which to engage with them. With the development of these advanced, Internet-based technologies, the modern small business is able to compete with larger organizations better than any other time in modern commercial history. Management software that can manage supply chains, human resources, and all the bookkeeping an organization does, have allowed some businesses to remain lean, spending capital on production workers rather than support staff. What?s Next? Some technologies are in their infancy and being billed as complete game-changers. We?ve already mentioned artificial intelligence, but there are other technologies that are new over the past decade that people are trying to build use out of. Blockchain is one. Distributed networks are traditionally more secure, but had lost their function in the enterprise space (due to the demands of data storage and dissemination) up until the […]

Where the Technology Stands Now Wireless charging capabilities are fairly common at this point in time. Many mobile devices now have the built-in capability to be charged wirelessly, as long as they are positioned properly on a special charging pad. However, a company called Ossia has been formed to develop wireless charging that can take place at a distance via trickle charging capabilities. This method of delivering power leverages radio frequencies to send both data and power to the connected device. Taking advantage of this newly developed potential, Ossia has worked to develop new conduits to deliver this power, leaving the charging pads typical of wireless charging in favor of a wider variety of devices under its Cota line. Instead of requiring the device to be physically touching the power source in order to charge, signals are bounced around objects in the environment to deliver both power and Wi-Fi connectivity. Ossia?s new charging system includes components like AA batteries that can be charged wirelessly, as well as drop ceiling tiles that send the signals out to the devices. Is This Necessarily a Good Thing? Of course, there is no questioning the convenience that this kind of technology could provide (especially if it was standardized), but there is the question of the affect it could have on the device. Take smartphones, for instance: what does constantly keeping a device?s battery fully charged ultimately do to the device in question? Unfortunately, nothing good. While ?overcharging? is no longer a concern, the makeup of modern batteries means that they can still suffer some damage. The explanation lies in its chemistry. Lithium-ion batteries have three essential components to their proper operation: a positive and negative electrode (made of a lithium-based compound and carbon graphite, respectively) and some kind of electrolyte. As the battery charges, lithium ions move from the positive electrode to the negative electrode via the electrolyte to be stored as energy. When this power is used, the ions move back to the positive electrode. Over time, this process wears away the electrolyte that allows the ions to move back and forth, ultimately preventing them from doing so efficiently (or even successfully). Without the ions being able to move, the battery isn?t going to work as well. As a result of this phenomenon, every battery only has a certain number of charge cycles in it before it is rendered ineffective. The argument is that, by constantly charging the battery, wireless charging eats away at the battery?s lifespan. Others argue that keeping the battery topped off actually allows the battery to remain effective for longer. Some take the argument one step further to say that the convenience of a fully-charged device is worth the cost of a replacement battery if need be. What do you think? Will wireless charging take off, despite these concerns about battery life and longevity? Let us know in the comments section, and make sure you take a moment and subscribe to our blog!

Network Profile? Each time a Windows 10 device connects to a new network, it will ask the user if it should be able to be discovered by other devices on that network. Selecting ?Yes? will set your network profile to Private, and selecting ?No? will set it to Public. The Private and Public settings are referring to the kind of network your device is connecting to, and what level of security your individual device is responsible for. If you are connected to your company?s network, with all its protections and other users with whom you need to collaborate, the ?Private? network setting is the one you want to use. However, if you?re using your device in a public setting, on a network that is ?Public?-ally accessible, you don?t want any Tom, Dick, or Harry Hacker to be able to connect to you. Switching the Network Profile Windows 10 offers a few different methods of switching the network profile that a device uses. One way is to use the built-in Settings application. From the Start menu, access the Settings application. Go to Network and Internet, and then select the kind of connection you have established from the left panel menu. If you?re physically connected to the network, select Ethernet, and if you?re using a wireless connection, select WiFi. Then, click on Network in the right panel. You can then switch between a Public network profile and a Private network profile. Domain Networks Alternatively, enterprise workplaces often leverage a third network profile – a domain network. Unlike the Private or Public profiles, only a network administrator can set its use, and it can only be applied while the device is in the workplace. Want to know more about your network, or need more help managing it? Reach out to White Mountain IT Services at (603) 889-0800.

Developing an Invoice The first step to better leveraging your invoice is having a better invoice to leverage. When it comes to creating an invoice from scratch, Microsoft Office?s Excel and Word have templates to assist you, and there are also integration that help G Suite users. Otherwise, there are plenty of other software titles available to you that may better fit your business? particular requirements. Once you have your software, you can create your invoice document. You should make sure to include the following information on each: Description – When you demand money from people, they will naturally want to know what they are paying for. This means that you need to include a detailed summary of why they are being charged what they are, especially if it is for the time spent rendering a particular service or another. By including the order number, the total amount owed, the accepted payment methods, and the payment due date in addition to a comprehensive description of your services, you can often avoid pushback. Schedules and Policies – Fair is fair. You were beholden to a certain timeframe to deliver your service, so it only makes sense that your client returns the same courtesy. By establishing and upholding a set payment schedule, your clients will find themselves becoming accustomed to paying you on time. By clearly laying out your policies about discounts, due dates, and late payments and the fines they incur, you can establish an understanding with your client, and if necessary, support your position when demanding payments be made. Discount Details – Any and all discounts that you offer should be clearly marked as such on all invoices. This is especially true for those clients who are brand new to your services. Let?s face it, you wouldn?t want to create a false impression of the cost of your services, just to incur the wrath of someone who budgeted incorrectly and did not expect their costs to increase. Naturally, this is not a comprehensive list of what your invoices should include – these are just the especially crucial bits. There are far more possibilities of what you could add, and the white space on the invoice is too valuable of an opportunity to let go unfilled. Try adding some personalization for each client based on what they are being billed for. Suggesting their next steps both proves your competence as a provider, and gives them a little more value for their money?s worth. You could also personalize it by adding a thank-you message to the invoice. A short message expressing your appreciation for their business can go a long way – not only does it allow you to show your gratitude to your client, this gratitude may help nudge your client into paying you sooner and coming back to you again and again. Getting Your Invoice to Your Clients A good-looking invoice helps, but to really encourage your clients to settle their bills with you, they need to be sent a certain way as well. Part of this is being sure to send them promptly. It isn?t uncommon for an invoice to go unpaid for long periods of time. In fact, it was estimated that unpaid invoices totalled well over $800 billion? in January. This is why you don?t want to […]

The Sovrin Network While the majority of people might only know the blockchain in regard to cryptocurrency, there are some organizations out there that understand the benefits a blockchain can bring to networking and secure online exchanges. One association like this is the Sovrin Foundation, which founded the Sovrin Network. This network allows each user to have their own digital wallet, complete with specific identification, banking, and financial credentials, as well as employment credentials or a company ID. Their Mission A glaring fault in the way that the Internet functions was showcased last year when 2.9 billion records were exposed to various data breaches and cyberattacks. The Sovrin Foundation was created for the purpose of discovering a way to confirm one?s identity online without exposing themselves to potentially threatening scenarios. Cybercrimes are a major issue nowadays, making it especially important to preserve the authenticity of one?s identity. The idea is to create a standardized way to take advantage of digital credentials and verify their authenticity. The blockchain is an ideal way to approach this concept. How Does it Work for the End User? People don?t always like to embrace change, even if it?s to their benefit. It?s unlikely that the average user will feel the need to download an application to keep them safe online with a secure online identity wallet. In an attempt to make it easier for people to embrace these changes, organizations are using QR codes and other identification methods. The blockchain could potentially allow various organizations to make contact with others in a secure fashion, making it much less risky to share important information. Only the bare minimum amount of information will be shared. If a user wants to try taking out a bank loan, the loan provider might need access to information on salary. If each of them are part of the blockchain network, the employer could provide just enough information to confirm the salary threshold without sharing the exact number itself. Basically, the Sovrin Network aims to place the power of information sharing in the hands of the user. In Case You Lose Your Phone? If you?re using your phone as a digital identity wallet, you?ll want to be just as careful as you would be with your physical wallet. What can you do if your phone has been lost or stolen, and your credentials are stored in the Sovrin Network? All you would have to do is create a new credential for your digital identity. This brings up the question of whether this method is any better than the old-fashioned way of handling security. As society continues to rely on access to data and information, the blockchain?s focus on privacy will only grow in importance. What are your thoughts on the blockchain? Let us know in the comments.