Coleman Technologies Blog

Technology has touched nearly everyone over the past decade or so. More is done using technology than ever before. In this week’s blog, we go beyond individual uses of technology and discuss how technology is going to be used to improve infrastructure and the delivery of services that we take for granted. 

Smarter and More Efficient Cities

The rapid urbanization we see today demands smarter solutions to address the growing challenges of building and managing urban infrastructure. This is where technology comes in. Technology plays a crucial role in creating smart cities that are sustainable, efficient, and responsive. Through the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors and connectivity enable real-time monitoring such as traffic flow, energy consumption, waste management, and public safety. These data-driven insights empower city planners to make informed decisions, optimize resource allocation, and enhance the quality of urban life.

Intelligent Transportation Systems

Transportation infrastructure is undergoing a remarkable transformation thanks to technology. Intelligent transportation systems use advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and real-time data analytics to enhance the efficiency, safety, and sustainability of transportation networks. From smart traffic management systems that alleviate congestion to the development of autonomous vehicles that reduce accidents and fuel consumption, technology is revolutionizing the way we move people and goods.

Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

The future of infrastructure heavily relies on sustainable energy sources, and technology plays a pivotal role in enabling this transition. Renewable energy generation, such as solar and wind power, is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible, thanks to advancements in technology. Moreover, smart grids and energy storage systems allow for efficient distribution and utilization of renewable energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing environmental impact.

Resilient Infrastructure

In an era of increasing climate change and natural disasters, resilient infrastructure is of utmost importance. Technology equips us with the tools to design, build, and manage infrastructure that can withstand and recover from adverse events. Through predictive analytics, remote sensing, and real-time monitoring, technology enables early detection of potential risks, allowing for proactive measures to mitigate damages, ensure public safety, and minimize disruption.

Advanced Construction Techniques

The construction industry is not immune to the transformative power of technology. Emerging technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), robotics, and 3D printing are revolutionizing the way we design and construct infrastructure. BIM facilitates collaboration, reduces errors, and improves efficiency throughout the entire construction process. Meanwhile, robotics and 3D printing enable faster, more precise construction, reducing costs and increasing sustainability.

Technology will shape the future of our culture, including the way we go about improving efficiency in all walks of life. If you would like to have a conversation about how technology can push your business forward as it is pushing infrastructure forward, give the IT professionals at Coleman Technologies a call today at (604) 513-9428.

More small and medium-sized businesses than ever are seeing AI's potential to transform their operations. However, like any technology, AI has its own set of pros and cons. Let's discuss three major advantages and drawbacks you can expect if using it in your business. Hopefully, it helps you make an informed decision about adopting AI.

Is AI Actually Relevant to Small Businesses?

Artificial intelligence helps machines copy human intelligence, like learning, reasoning, and self-correction. It can be a game-changer by automating routine tasks, providing valuable insights, and enhancing customer experiences.

How SMBs Can Use AI

AI can be used in various functions within almost any small business. It can handle repetitive tasks, freeing your employees' time to focus on more productive work. It can also analyze large amounts of data and spit out actionable insights, helping you make better decisions based on metrics.

Here are just a few ways SMBs can embrace AI through the numerous AI tools specifically designed for small businesses:

• Boosting customer service through chatbots
• Improving marketing efforts with data analysis
• Streamlining operations with automation tools
• Enhancing decision-making with informed predictive analytics
• Adjusting workflows with project management

These tools are designed to be user-friendly and cost-effective, making AI accessible to businesses of all sizes.

The Pros of Small Business AI

There are many AI benefits for SMBs. For instance, some benefits of artificial intelligence for small businesses include:

Increased Efficiency and Productivity

AI can automate routine tasks, freeing up time for employees to focus on more strategic work. This can lead to significant workplace productivity gains, allowing small businesses to do more with less.

Enhanced Customer Service and Personalization

AI can also enhance customer service. Chatbots can respond instantly to customer questions, improving their satisfaction and taking the pressure off your employees. Personalizing customer experiences is easier when you analyze data. This lets you give customized recommendations and offers, boosting engagement and loyalty.

Competitive Advantages and Simplified Growth

AI can provide a competitive advantage to small businesses. By leveraging AI, small businesses can gain insights and efficiencies that were once only available to larger corporations. Plus, AI solutions are scalable, growing with a business and providing long-term value.

The Cons of Small Business AI

While AI offers many benefits, it also presents challenges, including some key drawbacks that need to be considered:

Potential Job Displacement and Skill Gaps

AI can automate many tasks, potentially leading to job displacement as certain abilities become less relevant. Employees may need to learn new skills to work with AI.

Integration Challenges and Initial Costs

Incorporating AI into your systems isn't always easy, so smaller businesses may have difficulties. The initial costs can also be high.

Ethical Considerations and Data Security

AI also raises ethical considerations. For instance, using it in decision-making can lead to bias if not properly managed. Plus, using AI involves a lot of data, raising data security concerns. Small businesses must have robust data security if they want to use AI.

Balancing the Pros and Cons: Making an Informed Decision

You always need to evaluate the pros and cons of AI carefully. If you're going to be successful, you must be able to balance your business needs with your available resources.

Tips for Implementing Business AI with Minimal Risk

To minimize risk, start with small, manageable AI projects. Choose AI tools that work well with your existing systems, and ensure your team has adequate training and support.

Measuring the Success of AI Implementations

When you want to measure the success of your AI implementations, you have options. You could look for increased efficiency, improved customer service, enhanced decision-making, or even employee satisfaction and customer feedback.

AI offers potential for small businesses but has its challenges. Understanding these can help small businesses use AI to drive growth and success. We'll help you optimize your operations using business automation and other modern technologies.

Give us a call at (604) 513-9428 to learn more.

One of the biggest things that businesses need to consider today, from an IT front, is how artificial intelligence fits in. One way many companies are integrating AI into their businesses is through chatbot technology. Today, we will tell you everything you need to know to get started with chatbot technology.

Running a small business comes with many challenges: managing customers, handling inquiries, scheduling appointments, and marketing your services, just to name a few. While these tasks are mandatory for the creation of a successful business, they can also be extraordinarily time-consuming. That’s where chatbots come in.

Chatbots are AI-driven assistants that can automate various aspects of customer interaction, freeing up your time and improving your business operations. Here are some of the most practical ways small businesses can use chatbots.

Customer Support

Customers expect quick responses, but it’s not always possible to answer inquiries immediately, especially outside business hours. A chatbot can provide instant responses to frequently asked questions, assist with basic troubleshooting, and guide customers to relevant resources. This ensures that customers feel supported even when your team isn’t available.

Sales Assistance

A chatbot can act as a virtual salesperson, helping customers navigate your products or services, offering recommendations based on their needs, and even upselling related items. It can also assist with the checkout process, making the purchasing experience smoother and more efficient.

Appointment Scheduling

If your business relies on scheduled appointments, a chatbot can automate the booking process. Customers can check availability, schedule, reschedule, or cancel appointments without needing to speak with someone directly.

Lead Generation and Marketing

Chatbots can engage visitors on your website or social media pages, collect contact information, and sign them up for newsletters or promotions. By guiding potential customers through the sales funnel, they can help increase conversions with minimal effort on your part.

Internal Support for Employees

Chatbots aren’t just for customer interactions, they can also assist your employees. They can provide quick access to HR policies, answer common workplace questions, track schedules, and remind staff of important deadlines.

Technical Support

For businesses that sell tech products or software, chatbots can offer basic troubleshooting tips before escalating issues to human support teams. This reduces the volume of support tickets and helps customers resolve common issues quickly.

Why Your Business Should Consider a Chatbot

Chatbots improve efficiency, enhance customer experience, and reduce the workload on you and your team. Whether it’s handling inquiries, processing sales, or managing appointments, a chatbot can take care of routine tasks while you focus on growing your business.

Keep in mind that in most cases, an AI chatbot isn’t going to be as simple as installing it and letting it loose. You will need to take time configuring it, training it, and testing it to make sure it doesn’t go off the rails when customers make requests it doesn’t expect. 

Implementing a chatbot doesn’t mean replacing human interaction—it means streamlining processes so your business can operate more smoothly. If you’re looking for ways to improve customer engagement and save time, a chatbot could be a valuable addition to your small business.

For help with utilizing other modern technology throughout your business processes, lean on Coleman Technologies! Give us a call at (604) 513-9428 to learn more about what we can do for you.

What is Data Automation?

In so many words, data automation is the collection and transcription of data using software, rather than the outdated and time-consuming manual processes that were once necessary.

Rather than one of your valuable employees being committed to data entry instead of the other tasks that are better suited to their talents and abilities, data automation utilizes technology to attend to it. As a result, your team can focus on their other responsibilities, while your data is managed more efficiently and accurately.

How Does Data Automation Assist Businesses?

There are many ways that your business could directly benefit from data automation processes. For instance:

• Time (and thereby, money) is saved
• Your team is free to focus on other responsibilities
• Data can be entered more accurately and efficiently

Consider the checkout aisle of the grocery store, and the barcodes that are scanned to identify a shopper’s intended purposes. Think about how long it would take to ring up a cartful of groceries if each item must be manually looked up, and how many mistakes will be made in the process. The modern checkout line is a prime example of the basic benefits of data automation in this way.

Want to Learn More?

Reach out to Coleman Technologies at (604) 513-9428! We can discuss the many ways that technology can be used to boost your business, including through data automation and other solutions. Give us a call today to learn more.

Artificial Intelligence is beginning to sweep over modern computing and it can present some stark benefits for a business. AI has been deployed in various ways to help streamline your operations. Let’s look at five ways AI is helping businesses be their best.

Customer Service Chatbots

Many small businesses use AI-powered chatbots to handle customer inquiries and provide instant responses. These chatbots can answer frequently asked questions, assist with basic problem-solving, and even guide customers through the purchasing process.

Data Analytics and Insights

AI tools help small businesses analyze large sets of data to extract valuable insights. This can include customer preferences, market trends, and promoting decision making that results in operational efficiency. By understanding patterns, AI can help business owners make informed decisions, while learning more as more data is incorporated. These insights will presumably give leaders the information needed to make solid business decisions.

Personalized Marketing 

AI enables small businesses to create targeted and personalized marketing campaigns. By analyzing customer behavior and preferences, AI can automatically recommend products, send personalized offers, and change the way a business communicates with existing customers.

Inventory Management

Small businesses often struggle with managing inventory efficiently. AI can help by predicting demand based on historical data, optimizing stock levels, and automating reordering processes. This ensures that businesses have the right amount of stock to meet customer demand.

Cybersecurity

Small businesses are increasingly using AI to enhance their cybersecurity measures. AI algorithms can detect and respond to potential security threats in real-time, helping to protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access. This is crucial for maintaining customer trust and compliance with data protection regulations.

These are just a few examples, but the possibilities are vast. AI continues to evolve, offering small businesses extremely innovative solutions that work to improve the way they do business. If you would like to learn more about how AI fits into the business world and can work wonders for you, give us a call at (604) 513-9428 today.

USB Cable Types

The Universal Serial Bus cable connection is perhaps the most common. Its accessories and peripherals utilize the USB port, which is seen on most devices. However, there are many different types of USB technology, each of which are supported by various connections.

Type A connections support USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1, with transmit speeds ranging from 1.5 MB/s to 1.25 GB/s. These connections are the most common ones found on at least one end of every USB cable.

Type B connections also support USB 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 3.1. These were once used for connecting a printer or similar device to a computer, but they are being slowly phased out.

Mini and Micro both support USB 2.0, with mini USB connections being used for some older devices. Those that don’t use mini USB connections have been replaced by Micro-USB, and even those are being phased out for Type C connections.

Type C connections, also sometimes referred to as USB-C, support USB 3.1, 3.2, and the upcoming USB 4 standard.

It’s likely that the future of USB technology is USB-C taking over, mainly due to the connection type and its backwards-compatibility, enabling much faster data transfers.

Display Cables

VGA Cables

The Video Graphics Array cable is less popular these days due to its analog video signal being replaced by digital. Even so, there is likely to be a VGA port on your video card or display.

DVI Cables

VGA cables were phased out during the turn of the century and replaced by Digital Visual Interface cables. DVI is known for having many different types, all of which have their own capabilities, but they have been replaced by modern display cable types at this point.

DisplayPort Cables

DisplayPort cables were introduced with the intention of replacing both VGA and DVI cables, as they are capable of transmitting both video and audio signals. There are many different kinds of DisplayPort out there, but the important thing to note is that they are compatible with each other. DisplayPort can also be used in conjunction with HDMI and USB if there is an adapter used. These days, DisplayPort is used to attach a monitor to another device.

HDMI Cables

High-Definition Multimedia Interface cables are used to send modern standard digital signals. Five different types of HDMI exist today, but it’s most likely that you’re familiar with Type A. You may have also seen Type C for digital cameras, or Type D for mobile devices.

Networking Cables

SATA

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment cables create a connection between a computer’s motherboard and a storage device. These offer quick data transfer speeds compared to their predecessors, the Integrated Drive Electronics cable.

eSATA

eSATA cables are basically the same as SATA cables, only for external devices rather than internal components. These connections aren’t as common anymore, as USB technology has grown so quickly that it has eclipsed their speed.

Ethernet

A local area network takes advantage of ethernet cables. These cables are those that connect to your modem, router, and computer. They are easy to distinguish from other cables, as they look quite similar to telephone cables from way back when.

We hope that we have cleared up the difference between some of the everyday cables, but honestly, managing them can be a pain. Coleman Technologies can help your business make heads and tails of the various cables your organization might need to manage. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at (604) 513-9428.

SMBs tend to rely on their longstanding clients to bring in the majority of their revenue, so what happens when clients suddenly cannot trust your business’ reputation? Look no further than if you were to suffer from a cyberattack for an answer. It turns out that being careless with your clients’ data is one of the best ways to sink your reputation.

January 2023 Saw 53% of Surveyed Firms Experience a Cyberattack

This is up from the previous year’s 48%. This number comes from a global readiness survey administered by Hiscox, a specialty insurance company with offices in the United States, the European Union, and Asia.

The Hiscox Cyber Readiness Report 2023 offers other interesting information that businesses can learn from, including what businesses in Belgium have done and what can be learned from them. It’s well worth the time to read through the report, let alone the executive summary.

Of course, we want to make this information as accessible as possible, so if you take nothing else away from the report, at least consider this: the above 53%, and that businesses with less than ten employees were hit more often… accounting for 36% of all attacks.

Clearly, there is a problem here that you need to be concerned about.

Your Clients and Customers Wouldn’t Appreciate Your Business Suffering a Hack

Really, it’s all about broken trust; you shouldn’t expect your customers to take kindly to such an affront to their data security.

There are a few exceptions to this rule. If you leave your customers’ data susceptible to an attack, chances are you will experience a significant challenge recovering from it, in more ways than one. According to information compiled by Varonis in 2022:

• 65% of victims lost trust in the organization that was breached
• 80% of consumers reported that a business would lose them as a customer if their data were compromised
• 85% would tell others about the experience they had, 33.5% taking to social media to do so
• 52% of consumers claimed that security was among, if not the, most important consideration when making a buying decision

The Solution is Simple: Protect Your Business

Ultimately, the best way to protect your business and its reputation is to protect its data. If you want to ensure you keep your business’ data safe, be sure to contact Coleman Technologies at (604) 513-9428.

An expiration date helps to make sure you aren’t buying fast-turning foods at the grocery store, and now, the technology industry is making strides to establish a similar standard. A new industry report recommends new legislation pushing for End-of-Life (EoL) disclosure, which would, in theory, allow businesses and consumers alike to make more informed purchasing decisions. What does this mean for your business?

The Connected Consumer Products End of Life Disclosure Act

A joint report issued by Consumer Reports, US Public Interest Research Group, and the Secure Resilient Future Foundation recommends the above-titled (please don’t make us type it out again) legislation.

While the name of the legislation might be a mouthful, it’s an important step to informing consumers about anticipated timelines for updates and end of support. This standard might be more important than ever since devices are inherently produced with connectivity in mind. Unsupported devices will no longer work as intended, creating problems for both consumers and businesses alike.

While technology cannot last forever, quick turnaround time for end-of-life and end-of-support events leads to the following detriments to the consumer.

More Electronic Waste

All electronic devices that no longer work can be considered e-waste. Of course, all devices eventually reach this state, and more e-waste is produced today than ever before. Plenty of it goes unrecycled, too, lending itself to massive landfill problems around the world. Since many devices don’t work without their connectivity, you can imagine how much waste an EoL creates.

Security Issues

Even if devices stop working as intended after an EoL, they still hold data, especially if they haven’t been properly wiped. Additionally, EoL devices left on a network could be attacked by an attack they aren’t prepared to defend against since they no longer receive security updates.

Consumer Outrage

It’s frustrating to say the least when you spend money on something that is almost immediately obsolete. According to the US Federal Trade Commission, 89 percent of 184 total product websites offered no information regarding how long support would be provided.

This Law Would Promote (or Require) Consumer Transparency

The proposed regulations would require any Internet-connected device to disclose a timeframe for how long support would last, thus encouraging companies to place a greater focus on user security.

It seems like it would be a win for consumers, as manufacturers would be held legally responsible for communicating to consumers just how long they can expect their device to last. This would also keep businesses from making too many simple “smart” devices, as they would have to maintain them all. Any business owner with connected devices knows how much of a pain this is already.

On that note, security is always an issue, even for non-EoL devices, so why not make it a little easier by working with Coleman Technologies? Learn more by calling us today at (604) 513-9428.

Past Flagship Phones

We should start by mentioning that some of the best options are actually purchasing flagship phones from the past couple of years. Most flagship smartphones from 2018 have the same specs as many of the mid-range phones today so they can be had at a budget price point. These devices tend to not only have comparable specs, they typically have superior build quality, run on better processors, and offer a user experience in line or better than the experience they would get on some budget smartphones. 

Some options to consider are the Samsung Galaxy s9 and s9+, LG’s V50 thinQ, the iPhone X, and the Google Pixel 3 XL. The only drawback of older phones is that they may not get the same amount of software upgrades that a newly-purchased phone would. Either way, you might get the most value out of an older flagship phone. 

Apple iPhone SE

The 2020 version of the iPhone SE still has the body of an iPhone 8, but the internals are upgraded and it presents users that can’t afford the $1,000 iPhone 12 Pro Max to get a new iPhone at a reasonable price point. The new SE runs iOS 13 on the A13 Bionic chipset to offer the user experience Apple users expect out of a budget iPhone. 

Apple iPhone SE (2020)
Body: Aluminum with Gorilla Glass front and back
Display: 4.7-inch Retina IPS LCD (~326 ppi)
OS: iOS 13
Chipset: Apple A13 Bionic 
Memory: 3 GB RAM
Expandable Memory: No
Cameras: Rear - 12 MP (wide); Front - 7 MP
Sounds: Stereo Speakers, No Headphone Jack
Battery (endurance rating): 4,500 mAh (87 hours)
Security: Fingerprint reader
Miscellaneous: Accelerometer, Gyrometer, Proximity, Compass, Siri assistant
Other versions: none

Samsung Galaxy A51

Samsung has 10 separate devices in their A-line. They range from the A01 to the A71, but the Galaxy A51 is priced at the upper end of the budget space. The A51 features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display, expandable storage, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It is a great option if you are looking for a phone that gives you a decent user experience while also turning back the clock a bit. Available in Prism Crush Black, Prism Crush White, Prism Crush Blue, or Prism Crush Pink, the Galaxy A51 can be found on most major carriers and unlocked online.

Samsung Galaxy A51
Body: Plastic with Gorilla Glass 3 front, plastic back
Display: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED (~405 ppi)
OS: Android 10
Chipset: Octa-core Exynos 9611
Memory: 4-8 GB RAM
Expandable Memory: microSDXC
Cameras: Rear - 48 MP (wide), 12 MP (ultrawide, 5 MP (macro, 5 MP (depth); Front - 32 MP (wide)
Sounds: Loudspeaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
Battery (endurance rating): 4,000 mAh (86 hours)
Security: In-display fingerprint reader
Miscellaneous: Accelerometer, Gyrometer, Proximity, Barometer, Compass, Bixby assistant
Other versions: Samsung Galaxy A-series

Google Pixel 4a 5G

A 5G-capable budget smartphone, the Google Pixel 4a 5G features a 6.2-inch OLED display and has specs that are better than its price point would suggest. Its camera experience, specifically, is much better than phones found at this price. Available in Just Black and Clearly White, the Pixel 4a 5G is available in the Google store or from many major service carriers.

Google Pixel 4A 5G
Body: Plastic with Gorilla Glass 3 front and plastic back
Display: 6.2-inch OLED, HDR (~413 ppi)
OS: Android 11
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Memory: 6 GB RAM
Expandable Memory: No
Cameras: Rear - 12.2 MP (wide), 16 MP (ultra wide); Front - 8 MP (wide).
Sounds: Stereo Speakers, 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Battery: 3,885 mAh
Security: Fingerprint reader
Miscellaneous: Accelerometer, Gyrometer, Proximity, Barometer, Compass, Google Assistant
Other versions: 4G LTE version

Would you consider buying a budget device to use as your daily smartphone? Let us know in the comments section below.

Hardware

Fortunately, the biggest hurdle to collaboration isn’t usually having the right solutions in the office, it’s primarily making sure that these solutions are being put to use properly.

Consider your Internet setup - is it strong enough to wirelessly provide your entire office with connectivity, or would you be benefitted by implementing additional access points? Do you have the hardware needed to communicate and share data with mobile employees, and most importantly, can you properly secure all of it? Speaking of mobility, you will also want to consider if you want to provide your staff with company-owned mobile devices instead of leveraging a Bring Your Own Device Policy. There are options out there to procure these devices for well below retail rates, as long as these devices are bought in bulk.

Software

Depending on your type of business, you may have more or less to do in order to promote collaboration in your organization. A brick-and-mortar establishment will likely have its resources centralized, which means that employees will need to have access to these resources in order to properly communicate with one another, sharing progress on their work. While a private cloud platform would serve this need quite well, these solutions are typically far too expensive for the average SMB to consider.

These SMBs do have other options. Cloud-hosted software allows a business to leverage just about any computing resources they need, whether its a productivity suite, a business management platform, or a communication tool. Adding to these benefits, these resources can be accessed wherever an Internet connection can be established thanks to an integrated access management system. This same system allows administrators to keep threats out of their network as well.

Policies

Finally, for there to be collaboration, there needs to be the policies in place that “encourage” (enforce) the stress-free sharing of pertinent data with team members. In other words, you need to know that you have a way for your employees to access the data they need to complete their tasks as the need arises.

Having these policies can be to your organization’s advantage. While some of your data needs to be kept on a “need-to-know” basis, giving your employees some guidance to navigate how other data should be shared can help you to keep your business’ data that much more secure. It also doesn’t hurt that digital communications are becoming more of the norm, so it only makes sense to give your employees an outlet to communicate in what is likely their preferred manner.

In short, businesses are communicating in new and exciting ways. Not only should you not want to be left behind, you can’t afford to be. For assistance in expanding your internal collaboration and business communications to fully embrace today’s capabilities, reach out to Coleman Technologies’s IT professionals at (604) 513-9428.

Technology #1 - Blockchain

You’ve probably heard of blockchain before. It is widely known as the technology that makes cryptocurrency possible. Software developers have been working to use the encrypted distributed ledger system to create applications that can help a business secure its processes and create situational transparency. 

Thus far blockchain’s applications are mostly security-related, but the applications for the technology are limitless. Right now, a business can start using blockchain to boost the security of their accounts-receivable process, for contract transparency, and aid the efficiency of their supply chain. 

Technology #2 - Business Process Automation 

Automation has been the name of the game for some time. Today, however, there are more devices than ever to build automated systems with. The smart-technology boom called the Internet of Things (IoT), coupled with advancements in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), is giving businesses more options in which to enhance efficiency. 

Business Process Automation (BPA) incorporates these technologies into business management systems to help a business be able to accomplish more. This boost in productivity can often be pretty obvious on the bottom line. 

Technology #3 - Powerful Collaboration Tools

With technology making collaboration much easier, businesses have begun to promote collaborative efforts. Today, there are several options for the modern business. Businesses are using complete productivity suites like Microsoft Office 365 and Google’s G Suite for collaborative work. They also have begun instituting new communications tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams that couple useful messaging software with dozens of application integrations.

Moreover, businesses are significantly expanding the technology they use to make their BPA strategy more comprehensive. Bringing in interdepartmental collaboration tools that include customer resource management (CRM) is helping businesses operate smarter and more efficiently. 

2020 could be your business’ year to shine. By integrating some of these emerging tools, you could create the efficient operations boost you are seeking. Give us a call at (604) 513-9428 today to learn more about what Coleman Technologies can do for your company.

Blockchain technology has virtually changed the internet. The action of creating and distributing digital information, but not allowing the information to be copied or altered, has created a backbone to this new type of network.

What Is Blockchain?

When looking at the word blockchain, it’s clear to see that it is derived from two words: block and chain.

Simply put, a block records recent transactions that have not been started in any prior blocks. This avoids duplicates or falsely initiated transactions. This block has the unique characteristic that it cannot be deleted, and it cannot be altered.

A chain is a sequence of items of the same type, forming a line. Blockchain technology has created an indestructible chain of blocks. Without being “chained” together, it would just be unorganized, unreadable, scattered information. Because of the methodical, organized and unalterable record keeping - it’s ideal for numerous applications.

Where Blockchain is Headed

Blockchains are where digital relationships are being not only formed but secured. Here are just some of the implementations where this technology has been, or could be used for in the future:

Payment processing and money transfers - The first thing that it could be used for is what it’s already being used for. Payment processing and money transfers. After all, this is what the technology was developed for, but what other forms can this take?

Retail loyalty reward programs - We’ve all been asked if we have a rewards card. Blockchain could soon revolutionize rewards programs by replacing standard points with tokens. All transactions at a certain store or company would result in earning tokens, which would be stored in a blockchain. The characteristics of blockchain would stop individuals from fraudulently earning reward points, which is common amongst paper and card-based loyalty programs.

Digital Voting - Have you ever heard rumors or accusations that someone fraudulently won a vote? With the implementation of blockchain, this would be an issue of the past. Blockchain cannot be altered or destroyed. This means if there was some sort of fraudulent activity, it could easily be detected. This brings us to our next use of blockchain.

Audit Trailing - Blockchain can be implemented anywhere an audit trail is required.

There are endless possibilities where this technology can be implemented. Medical recordkeeping, tax regulation and compliance, immutable data backup, even real estate or auto title transfers. Blockchain truly is revolutionizing operations across the globe.

At Coleman Technologies, we are eager to see where this technology will take us in the near future. How do you think blockchain technology will be used? Leave a comment below.

Businesses have a lot of stressful things going on at any given moment, especially when timelines and deadlines are considered. You have projects that you need to complete for your customers and employees who need to be paid on time, and you would be hard-pressed to find a situation for your organization that isn’t under some sort of time crunch. How can you use technology to make sure that these timelines are met? Let’s go over some solutions.

Automate Processes for More Efficiency

One of the best ways to save time is to make your current processes more efficient, and you can do this through automating repetitive tasks. With this technology at hand, you can complete projects and tasks faster. There are other ways that automating processes improves efficiency, as it can make it easier to organize, collaborate, and track tasks. With the right tools, you can get more done with less, making the end result even better for your bottom line.

Implement Communication and Collaboration Tools

All businesses need collaboration and communication tools, and the fact that they can now integrate allows for some pretty neat functionality. You can use video conferencing, instant messaging, and collaborative document editing and sharing to improve communication across teammates and departments. Since these solutions are hosted in the cloud, physical location is less of an issue. With anytime-anywhere access, your company can be productive in even better ways than before.

Use AI to Predict the Future and Analyze Data

If you can understand the data your business collects, you can make more informed decisions about the future. AI-powered solutions can analyze your data for trends and, in some cases, can even predict specific events, allowing you to allocate your resources accordingly.

How are you going to use technology to change the way your business operates for the better? We can help you start this process with a consultation from Coleman Technologies. To get started, reach out to us at (604) 513-9428.

3D Displays
Remember that craze with the 3D movies? Manufacturers have been trying to keep people excited about 3D technology for a long time, but it has met with little long-term success. Content creators simply can’t commit to a 3D capture or post production process. A significant lack of content, combined with consumers needing a silly pair of 3D glasses and the hardware required by the display, people just preferred to stick to what had been working in the past. High-definition displays can make 2D programming look astounding, and with such a small demand for 3D picture, the technology has been abandoned.

There have been talks about resurrecting the technology through what’s called Home3D. MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab (CSAIL) has found a way to emulate the 3D experience without the embarrassing glasses, but without content made for 3D, you shouldn’t expect to see too much support for this technology anytime soon.

Smart Glasses
Smart glasses, like Google Glass, used to be a hot commodity, but they fell off everyone’s radar relatively quickly. While they initially were quite anticipated, there are very few smart glasses manufacturers left today. In 2012, Google Glass was being tested by several celebrities, but in today’s technology industry, there are maybe a handful of smart glasses manufacturers at the most. These companies still don’t have a clear idea of who would be the consumers for smart glasses, but they have learned that when it comes to this particular product, less is more.

One of the nails in the coffin for Google Glass was the invasion of privacy. While users might be able to come to terms with Google tracking what you say, buy, and do online, adding a camera to your glasses was simply too much for just about everyone. It was thought for a time that smart glasses could be a viable alternative to a smartphone, but the technologies behind the device simply haven’t been perfected to the point of proper implementation.

Virtual Reality
While virtual reality might be “available” today, people have been talking about it for upwards of 40 years. Other technologies being developed and discussed in the 1980s, like VHS and audio cassettes, have come and gone, but the idea of virtual reality lingers on. This is despite the fact that practical applications of VR are few and far between.

The primary use for virtual reality--gaming--has turned out to be a major failure so far. While there is some value in giving people the ability to share experiences online through VR, it hasn’t been a priority for developers, creating a similar situation to 3D technology. VR as a technology might not be completely dead in the water yet, but there isn’t much excitement out there for the technology--at least not to the point where it can be transformative (at this moment).

What are some of your favorite technologies that haven’t been as successful as you’d have liked them to be? Let us know in the comments.

The Internet is used for a great many things in business nowadays, but some may not realize just how much Internet speeds have changed over time. This week, we thought we would take a brief look at the evolution of Internet speeds and what today’s speeds allow businesses to do. 

Before we get started it’s important to understand how internet speeds are measured. The speeds are measured in megabits. 1,000 kilobits (technically 1,024 KB) is equivalent to 1 megabit and 1,000 megabits (technically 1,024 MB) is equivalent to 1 gigabit. 

Dial Up

It has only been about 25 years since Internet connections have become commonplace in the office and the home. When the Internet was first introduced to the mass market, the main way people would access the web was through their phones. If you were on the Internet in the 1990s, people would often have one telephone line for both home and their computer. As the now antiquated model of telephone long distance was in place, many people would have to pay huge phone bills because their Internet service provider was accessed through a long distance call (even if that call was to the next village over or in the same city). 

The typical modem around the year 2000 was 56 KB/s which means that when the modem is working optimally with an uninterrupted signal, a one megabyte file could be downloaded in about 20 seconds. Obviously, those speeds wouldn’t work in today’s mobile world where people are getting over 10 GB/s in some places. This connection made instant messaging possible, but any media—including all the media we take for granted today—would take days and weeks to transmit over a dial-up connection.

DSL

Around the turn of the century “high-speed” Internet became popular. Using cable connections, ISPs were able to transmit data much more effectively. This is because the bandwidth of a cable wire has substantially more data transmission capabilities than a telephone wire. Called a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) connection, this is, to this day, the lion’s share of the connections that you will find available. A DSL connection delivers internet at speeds up to around 100 MB/s but it’s more known to sit in the 5 MB-to-20 MB range. 

In this range, users can do a lot of more complex tasks. Today’s cloud-hosted email services require these speeds as do music streaming services and solid website browsing. The widespread use of DSL around 2010 began to spur on application development that is a major part of today’s computing ecosystems. While video streaming is relatively new—and resource intensive—standard definition video (think early YouTube) is capable through a DSL connection.

Fiber Optic

Many of today’s high speed connections are run through fiber optic cables. Fiber optics uses light to transmit data, making it much faster than DSL connections. Most DSL cable systems would lose speed and performance the longer a signal would have to travel through wires. With fiber optics, however, Internet speeds and bandwidth grow exponentially. Today, there are fiber connections that are capable of tens of gigabits per second. 

With mobile computing growing in popularity every year, and more and more people relying on Wi-Fi signals to keep from going over mobile data caps, people now rely on these faster internet speeds. Fiber has created an environment of innovation that is driving the on demand computing resources that businesses and individuals rely on. This has made mobile computing more possible and has fueled the work-from-home revolution, online schooling, real-time data collection, telehealth, and communication and collaboration tools including video conferencing. 

If you want to quickly determine what your current internet speed is, you can use any number of speed test applications that are available. A good standard is https://www.speedtest.net/. These will give you an idea of what your current internet speed for downloads and uploads are. If you need help ascertaining what type of speeds you need for your business, you should contact the IT professionals at Coleman Technologies today at (604) 513-9428. 

There are further innovations in the works that will push Internet speeds faster and faster, with less latency. This type of technology can completely revolutionize the way we view the world. In this new digital landscape, expect to see more and more work to be done on this front in the near future.

Artificial intelligence is the latest IT buzzword that everyone seems to focus on and it’s because it is a big deal. Advances in computing have created an environment where developers can create software that effectively learns. Unfortunately, due to the nature of AI regulation; or, the complete lack of it, there are some who are concerned that the technology—which could be a revolutionary tool for the improvement of human societies—is being degraded.

“A Race to the Bottom”

One of the predominant AI researchers on the planet, MIT physics professor Max Tegmark made some serious statements about the current use of AI to The Guardian. Tegmark’s comments were:

“We’re witnessing a race to the bottom that must be stopped. We urgently need AI safety standards, so that this transforms into a race to the top. AI promises many incredible benefits, but the reckless and unchecked development of increasingly powerful systems, with no oversight, puts our economy, our society, and our lives at risk. Regulation is critical to safe innovation, so that a handful of AI corporations don’t jeopardize our shared future.”

His belief is that the more powerful the technology becomes without proper oversight, the more apt that it can go sideways and have dire consequences for society. As innovation of AI technology speeds up, it stands to reason that there are some truths behind his viewpoint. AI, at current levels, is set up to mimic human responses to queries, but can do it at a much faster rate due to these systems’ ability to pour through underlying data. Advanced AI, or what they are calling Artificial General Intelligence, describes systems that can surpass human intelligence and efficiency in ways that are reckless until other, more scaled-back systems are deemed to be good for humanity as a whole. 

It’s Science Fiction

So many Sci-Fi stories that deal with rogue AI have been created that it’d take an AI just to help list them all. These stories have almost always been created as cautionary tales, fashioned long before we had AI platforms. Most of these stories end with the destruction of humanity by their own creation. It’s hard to believe, as a layman, that the technology has already grown to the point where there are concerns over whether or not humans will lose control over it, but with respected academics obviously anxious over how fast AI is being developed, it may be prudent to take a step back and throttle back on the gas, as it were. 

Unfortunately—depending on your perspective—these AI initiatives have the full support of some of the largest and most important technology companies in the world. Microsoft, Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon have all earmarked multi-billion dollar investments over the next five years; and if history gives us a glimpse on how this will go, they will be looking to bring to market products that will get them significant returns on their investments. Could this spell curtains for humanity? I sure hope not, but if you consider Tegmark’s comments, it could mean that it is in fact “a race to the bottom.” 

Potential AI Regulation

It’s not that uncommon to see times when industrialists and academics are at odds. People have a view that the more regulations you put on any system, the more you are confining it to mediocrity. AI is no different. In October 2022, the White House published a paper titled A Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights. This is basically a document that was created starting a serious conversation about regulating AI and some rules that would keep it from being a blight on humanity. It was put together by government officials with The Office of Science and Technology Policy working with academics, human rights organizations, and even input from Microsoft and Google. Other nations have their own ideas for regulation. Japan, Singapore, and the European Union all have some AI-based regulation on the books, but outside of Colorado, there have been no sweeping mandates that would be controversial anywhere in the United States regarding AI regulation.

Ultimately, AI is a great tool that could really take humanity into the next phase of existence on this planet (and to others), but if people are reckless with it for the profit of private or public organizations, it could really end up being the end of humanity. Only time will tell. If you are interested in AI and other technologies, share this article with others and return to our blog soon.

Have you considered the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for your business? If so, you’re not alone—many small businesses are opting to use these technologies in new and exciting ways, particularly as it relates to engaging customers, enhancing products, and creating better training experiences. Let’s look into how your business can utilize AR and VR to its advantage.

Product Visualization

Some of the more powerful applications for AR and VR consist of visualization, or the act of allowing potential customers to try their products before they commit fully to them. For example, let’s say you’re trying to buy something for a furniture store and you want to see how it would look in your home, or you want to purchase an outfit, trying clothes on virtually before clicking the “Pay” button. These types of visualizations allow businesses to cut down on returns and improve customer satisfaction.

Customer Engagement

These technologies are also incredible for customer engagement, offering interactive AR experiences that can entertain or educate customers. A restaurant might use an interactive menu that shows a 3D view of their dishes through a smartphone app, or a local museum might implement similar technology to bring their exhibits to life in new and immersive ways.

Virtual Tours

Businesses that are a part of the travel, real estate, or hospitality industries can use VR to offer virtual tours of properties or destinations without the customer or buyer’s physical presence. It can save time during the home buying process, something which any prospective home buyer who has had their dream property snatched away within minutes can appreciate. A travel agency can also give destination previews, allowing customers to make informed decisions while planning out their next vacation.

Employee Development

Small businesses might struggle to offer meaningful training and development exercises for their staff. VR can make this training immersive and cost-effective, leading to better training outcomes. A small manufacturing company, for example, can use VR to simulate potentially dangerous scenarios and allow employees to act them out or interact with them in a way that could prepare them for such situations in real time.

Advertising and Marketing

Finally, small businesses can use these technologies to great effect for marketing and advertising. With AR-powered ads, customers can interact with products, and with VR experiences, users can be transported to a simulated reality to experience a business’ offerings. These types of strategies work wonders for immersive experience and brand engagement.

How would your business use AR and VR? Do you want to get started with utilizing emerging technologies for your business? Call us today at (604) 513-9428 to find out how we can help.

Team Building Benefits

Many modern businesses have employees who don’t always work in the office, instead electing to operate remotely. However, it is important that these employees are still assimilated as a part of your team as a whole. A conferencing solution can allow you to keep your remote employees on the same page as your on-site employees, building camaraderie between coworkers despite any distance between them. The better your team is able to collaborate, the more effective they will be able to be in accomplishing their tasks, as they will have each other as a resource to lean on as needed.

Keep Your Team On-Task

Let’s face it, it can sometimes be hard to be sure that your employees are focused on the task at hand. This is especially true when you can only hear their voice, or see the responses they send back to you. A conferencing solution fixes this difficulty by giving you and your team a visual of each other, keeping everyone involved accountable and engaged.

Increase Your Collaborative Footprint

It wasn’t all that long ago that collaborating with someone a distance away was only possible over the phone or by physically traveling to meet with them. However, collaborative conferencing solutions have taken this distance and shrank it down to effectively nothing. Like the team building benefits we discussed earlier, your team is no longer restricted to one place, or to dealing with exclusively local coworkers, partners, and other resources.

Promote “Face-to-Face” Communication

A sizable portion of communication is non-verbal, which means that your solution needs to account for this balance. More traditional solutions didn’t take this into consideration - or rather, couldn’t. Modern collaboration solutions, on the other hand, allow you to communicate more completely by allowing you to witness these non-verbal cues. 

Conferencing Can Simplify Your Solution Set

Compared to legacy solutions, modern conferencing tools offer a much more comprehensive selection of features. As a result, you can reduce the number of solutions that your operations rely upon, cutting expenses and streamlining your processes. This makes it much easier to find success in communicating with your team, without sinking all of your capital into your solutions.

Coleman Technologies can assist you in establishing the collaboration solution that fits your needs, as well as any other IT implementation your business requires. Learn more by calling (604) 513-9428.

Deciding on a Brand

Brand can boil down to something as simple as user preference, but ultimately, all computer manufacturers--namely Dell, Asus, Lenovo, HP, Acer, and friends--have access to the same basic components and parts. It doesn’t start to get complicated until you reach the higher end of the spectrum, like with gaming rigs and video production.

Brand does, however, make a big difference in regard to laptops and all-in-one-devices. For example, HP and Microsoft have high-end graphic design all-in-one desktop computers. Microsoft, HP, and Lenovo have laptop options with the option for pen input from artists. Beyond this, we start talking about specialized hardware and devices meant to be used for certain tasks. In addition to reading a lot of reviews from big box stores, we recommend working with Coleman Technologies to help your business find the best specialized hardware.

Full-Size Desktop vs Compact Desktop

This has to do with the size of the desktop case. Full-size desktops are easier to upgrade and maintain, and they often cost less. Compact desktops are slim desktops, but they might have a limited capacity to upgrade. Smaller designs are easier to deploy for office workstations, whereas gaming PCs and video production machines require more space for hardware and cooling.

Read Reviews and Benchmarks

There are many sites out there that are invaluable for finding information on specific models of desktops and computer hardware. The Internet is full of reviews, but the most valuable might be some on the websites of stores you visit regularly. High-end systems will have more specific information mentioned in their reviews simply due to the fact that there are bigger nerds picking up these devices. You will want to pay attention to make sure you’re not spending more than you need to on desktop or laptop hardware.

Be Aware of Bloatware

Pre-configured desktops from certain brands can come with pre-installed software. It’s not always bad--a free trial of Microsoft Office might be just what you need--but often times, the pre-installed software can slow down your device. You’ll want to remove some of this software so you can continue to use your centralized antivirus and licenses for Office.

Eliminating Your Old PC

When you migrate your data to a new computer, you’ll need to take great care in wiping your old drives thoroughly. You should leave this task to the professionals, unless you plan on physically destroying the drives. Depending on your industry’s standard procedures and compliances, you may need to make sure it gets done professionally.

You also have several options for recycling your PC, but we always encourage users to not just throw their computer in the trash. Computers have many harmful elements in them that simply can’t be disposed of in the traditional sense. We also recommend against donating a PC that your business used previously without having it professionally wiped first. While it’s a nice gesture to donate something you don’t need anymore, it could put your business at risk.

Need Desktops for Your Office?

If you want to purchase desktops, it’s best to do so with the help of trained IT professionals who know how to configure, optimize, and license your devices to help your staff work as best they can. We can also help on the infrastructure and network side of things to make sure your office can accommodate growth. We also offer 24/7 monitoring and maintenance to keep your computers working properly. To learn more, reach out to us at (604) 513-9428.

We are always writing about how useful technology is, but it’s surprising how little even the most committed techie knows about the options that are available to them. In this week’s blog we decided to go through three features in the Windows OS that can be a big help. 

Built-in Dictation

One tip that not many people know about is the built-in dictation feature in the newer versions of the Windows operating system. All you need to do is type Windows key + H. This will open the dictation toolbar. This allows you to use speech to fill out any text field inside of windows.

Focus Assist

With so many distractions it's not a surprise that we keep getting interrupted from our work. Notifications are built-in to almost every app, and they can be a little much sometimes. Windows offers the Focus Assist feature that will work to keep you focused and on track. 

Simply go to Settings > System > Focus Assist.

Once open, you can configure the software to automatically turn on during certain times. In the Focus Assist settings you can fully customize the priority of the notifications so that important messages come through but that notification from Amazon about the tent you want to buy can be tabled for later. 

Use Multiple Desktops

One really neat feature that Microsoft has rolled out over the past few iterations of Windows is the multiple desktop feature. It allows users to separate whole projects from one another and allow them to move between them seamlessly. 

To access this feature you can right-click on the taskbar and go to Taskbar Settings. Once there you need to toggle on the Task view option. This will create a Task view icon just to the right of the start icon on the taskbar. Push it and you can create a whole new desktop environment (with its own background) to help keep your work organized.

Windows has long been one of the most important business tools and with Windows 10 and Windows 11, Microsoft has created operating systems filled with cool features and resources. If you want to learn more great tips and tricks, visit our blog again soon.