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What Benefits and Compensation I.T. Pros Want Most In A Job

Over the last two decades, the information technology field has been one of the hottest and fastest growing sectors of employment in the world. These days, there isn’t an organization anywhere that doesn’t have a need for some level of I.T. staffing. Information technology professionals make the most of this level of demand, which puts them in a somewhat unique position to be extra selective about which job opportunities to embrace.

From help desk technicians to the administrators of global networks, there are several factors that tend to make certain jobs attractive to the best of the best. Here’s what I.T. professionals look for most:

Stability

As obvious as this one sounds, it’s more surprising than you might think. While the highest profile I.T. jobs are found with tech startups, the most attractive ones are with large, established companies. The major reason for this is that big, complex organizations tend to place a very high emphasis on their technology because it’s so vital to their success. This means that the input of the I.T. professional is generally more highly prized and well regarded in these companies, which means having a greater say in the direction of the business.

Long-Term Prospects

Another big factor that I.T. professionals consider when selecting a job is the ability to advance and grow within their department. As with many other jobs, the knowledge that working hard and striving for excellence will provide a path for advancement is a vital component of an attractive position. The prospective employee is going to want to get to know the current staff if possible to find out things like if they’ve been happy with their job, and if there’s a high turnover rate. Knowing that they’ll be happy committing to the team and giving it their all to climb the ladder is a major selling point for an I.T. job.


Professional Development

In such a rapidly evolving industry, I.T. workers know better than most that it’s necessary to adopt a process of continual learning and skill development to be effective in their jobs. Unfortunately, training for and obtaining new certifications in the field can be a time-consuming and expensive process. A Spiceworks survey indicates that 69% of job-hunting I.T. professionals are doing so for the chance to advance their skills. For this reason, a company that provides a high-level professional development program, including reimbursement for training related to an employee’s position, is often able to successfully lure top-flight I.T. talent. This kind of program is a win-win proposition for both the employer and employee since it assures that the company always has access to the latest needed technology skills while providing a long-term benefit to the employee.

 

Staying On The Leading Edge

Most I.T. workers chose their field because they love technology. With a true passion for what they do, they’ll never be content unless they get to stay out on the frontiers of the latest and greatest hardware and software. Businesses that invest in their infrastructure to always remain state of the art are especially attractive. Big selling points are large-scale deployment of SaaS (software as a service) systems, advanced analytics and “big data” applications, and hyper converged infrastructure systems. The best jobs are always the ones where an I.T. professional gets to say “wow, that’s cool!” as often as possible.

 

How It Comes Together

While salary is important in choosing a position, many in the information technology field would likely sum up their attitude as follows: They want to learn, advance, be valued in their organization, and be exposed to the newest and next-generation emerging technology. Companies that work to nurture their love of the field and keep them excited to come to work won’t ever have difficulties finding sharp, highly motivated candidates to staff their I.T. departments. In short, for many I.T. pros, it’s all about the love.

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How a Smart Thermostat Can Save Your Energy Bill

Smart home technology is more popular than ever right now, and buyers are looking for smart homes before they look for anything else. The idea of keeping your home safer and more secure with the help of smart home technology is so appealing to so many, and the idea of being able to save money on your energy bill using a wifi thermostat is one of the biggest trends in the housing market. Before you go purchase a smart home thermostat with which to equip your home, you should get to know how it saves you money. It’s a simple process, but understanding how it affects your life is imperative.

 

Smart Thermostats Monitor Your Habits

 

Saving money comes after a device of this nature learns to read your habits and adjust your thermostat accordingly. The purpose of a smart home thermostat is to get to know you. It keeps track of when you’re home based on movement and even the app you use on your phone to control the thermostat from the couch, the office, or even while you’re across the world on vacation.

 

Noting your habits allows the smart thermostat to adjust the air accordingly without your help. For example, if you the air turned up to 78 during the day when you’re not home but you like it at 72 when you come home, the device will learn to make these changes for you based on your habits. It gets to know you, your family, and your favorite way to heat and cool your home.

 

You Control Your Mistakes

 

You’re headed out to spend a week on the beach leaving your home behind for the time being. You know you’re not going to be home to need the air on, so you make a mental note to turn it off. Your flight leaves at 6 am, which means you need to be at the airport at 4 in the morning. When you wake up and grab the family, get ready, and pack up the car to head to the airport, you forget to turn the air off.

 

The big problem here is you like to keep your house very cold at night. You turn the air down to 71 at night, and it’s currently 90 degrees plus each day during summer. Your typical morning routine consists of turning the thermostat up to 78 when you leave in the morning so the house stays comfortable during the day without running the air constantly.

 

Forgetting to change the thermostat means you are gone for a week with your air running continuously keeping your house at 71 degrees while fighting 90-degree temps outside. Your electric bill is going to be outrageous. This is how your smart thermostat helps. If you forget to turn the air up or off, you can control it from an app on your phone, which means you can save yourself a lot of money as well as some serious wear on your HVAC system.

 

Smart home thermostats get to know you, but they also allow you to control them from far away. Now a rushed morning and a low setting mean nothing once you remember and readjust the air from your app. It’s easier to control it when you’re not home, and it even means you can turn it off during the day and reset it for a cool temp just before you head home for a nice, cool home.

 

If you’re considering a smart home thermostat, it’s a great investment. Not only does it save you money on your utility bill by eliminating wasted air, it also helps the value of your home. Millennials love technology, and smart home devices make houses more appealing.

 

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The History of The Vaporizer: And Why It Will Be a $47 Billion Industry by 2025

Marijuana is popular and dates back to 2727 BC during the reign of the Sheng Nung Dynasty. Cannabis was also used extensively in other places such as Middle East, North Africa, and Europe for various reasons including recreation, medicine and health reasons. The use of cannabis continues to spread across the globe and so has the use of vaporizers, an invention that can be attributed to marijuana use.

 

The Egyptian Version

While today vaping is a massive industry, it would be worth knowing the origins of the vaporizers because they are here to stay. Modern vaporizers have not yet taken even a century in existence, but in the olden days, they existed in other forms, slowly undergoing their evolution into the classy, modern-day apparatuses we see today. The earliest predecessors of the modern vaporizers can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Unlike today’s vaporizers, the older ones were not battery-powered. However, they were equally innovative. The Egyptians would put seeds on a bed of heated stones, and once the burning kernels were producing fumes, they would inhale the fumes. While this method was effective for achieving the much-desired high back then, it is rudimentary in today’s context.

 

Asia

The evolution of vaporizers continued, and the hookah came in. This is a more recognizable form of the vaporizer that has its roots in India, Asia, approximately 1, 000 years back. The hookah was majorly used in smoking hashish and flavored tobacco. Hashish is a component of the cannabis plant and gained popularity in the Middle East and Asia with the use of hookahs. The hookah culture spread to Turkey approximately 500 years later and became popular among the wealthy. Soon hookahs moved beyond the use hash and tobacco and made its way into opium dens. Opium became popular in first world countries such as the British Isles and the United States.

 

Modern Vaporizers

The modern vaporizer made its debut in 1993 as an invention of Eagle Bill Amato, an entrepreneur, and inventor. Deciding to capitalize on the idea, he is the creator of the Shake and Vape and the father of the modern-day vaporizer. Bill was also a big proponent of using marijuana for medical purposes, and this was the best intake method in his view. His vaporizers were made of glass and were much like the traditional glass weed pipes. In 1994, he introduced the vaporizer to the public during the Cannabis Cup, and it instantly became a hit.

 

This vaporizer was physically big, almost barrel sized and on it were two mounted glass tubes. To use it, the person would place the herb in one of the glass tubes and use a heater to heat it. The steam would then penetrate the herbs and produce vapor which was inhaled through the other tube. The next vaporizer by Bill, was, however, more simplistic in design. For starters, it was smaller and was designed for mass production. The vaporizer business began to boom in the 2000s as they became more advanced. This is what was known as the Shake and Vape. It is a ball glass tube with an opening at the top. The herbs were dropped in the ball, and it was heated using a lighter. Bill, therefore, popularized vaporization.

 

Later versions of the vaporizer included the BC Vaporizer. This improved version was powered by electricity, and it generated vapor when the herbs came into contact the heated metal plate. This device was especially more popular in Europe and North America. The most popular and revolutionary vaporizer yet was the Volcano, which came into the market in 2000. This is not only the most common but also the most demanded vaporizer in the market today. Almost 20 years after its entry into the market, no company can produce an innovation better than the Storz & Bickel’s volcano. Being a desktop vaporizer, it inspired the production of many other brands including Magic Flight Launch Box (2010) and the Arizer Solo, (2011).

 

The modern vaporizers made work easy as they make the vapor, and the user inhales it to achieve the ultimate high and just like an electronic cannot function without charge, the vaporizer cannot operate without a vape atomizer. Atomizers come in many forms including RDAs, TRDAs, sub-ohm tanks and tank atomizers. Whichever brand you may choose to use, the vaping experience is surely one worth exploring

 

The Global E Vape market reports point out that while disposable e-cigarettes led the market until 2015, rechargeable e-cigs, followed by vaporizers and mods have taken the top market positions in terms of top revenue generation. And while the U.S. market is expected to continue dominating the forecasted period, China is predicted to grow at the fastest till 2025.

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The History of The Vaporizer: And Why It Will Be a $47 Billion Industry by 2025

Marijuana is popular and dates back to 2727 BC during the reign of the Sheng Nung Dynasty. Cannabis was also used extensively in other places such as Middle East, North Africa, and Europe for various reasons including recreation, medicine and health reasons. The use of cannabis continues to spread across the globe and so has the use of vaporizers, an invention that can be attributed to marijuana use.

 

The Egyptian Version

While today vaping is a massive industry, it would be worth knowing the origins of the vaporizers because they are here to stay. Modern vaporizers have not yet taken even a century in existence, but in the olden days, they existed in other forms, slowly undergoing their evolution into the classy, modern-day apparatuses we see today. The earliest predecessors of the modern vaporizers can be traced back to ancient Egypt. Unlike today’s vaporizers, the older ones were not battery-powered. However, they were equally innovative. The Egyptians would put seeds on a bed of heated stones, and once the burning kernels were producing fumes, they would inhale the fumes. While this method was effective for achieving the much-desired high back then, it is rudimentary in today’s context.

 

Asia

The evolution of vaporizers continued, and the hookah came in. This is a more recognizable form of the vaporizer that has its roots in India, Asia, approximately 1, 000 years back. The hookah was majorly used in smoking hashish and flavored tobacco. Hashish is a component of the cannabis plant and gained popularity in the Middle East and Asia with the use of hookahs. The hookah culture spread to Turkey approximately 500 years later and became popular among the wealthy. Soon hookahs moved beyond the use hash and tobacco and made its way into opium dens. Opium became popular in first world countries such as the British Isles and the United States.

 

Modern Vaporizers

The modern vaporizer made its debut in 1993 as an invention of Eagle Bill Amato, an entrepreneur, and inventor. Deciding to capitalize on the idea, he is the creator of the Shake and Vape and the father of the modern-day vaporizer. Bill was also a big proponent of using marijuana for medical purposes, and this was the best intake method in his view. His vaporizers were made of glass and were much like the traditional glass weed pipes. In 1994, he introduced the vaporizer to the public during the Cannabis Cup, and it instantly became a hit.

 

This vaporizer was physically big, almost barrel sized and on it were two mounted glass tubes. To use it, the person would place the herb in one of the glass tubes and use a heater to heat it. The steam would then penetrate the herbs and produce vapor which was inhaled through the other tube. The next vaporizer by Bill, was, however, more simplistic in design. For starters, it was smaller and was designed for mass production. The vaporizer business began to boom in the 2000s as they became more advanced. This is what was known as the Shake and Vape. It is a ball glass tube with an opening at the top. The herbs were dropped in the ball, and it was heated using a lighter. Bill, therefore, popularized vaporization.

 

Later versions of the vaporizer included the BC Vaporizer. This improved version was powered by electricity, and it generated vapor when the herbs came into contact the heated metal plate. This device was especially more popular in Europe and North America. The most popular and revolutionary vaporizer yet was the Volcano, which came into the market in 2000. This is not only the most common but also the most demanded vaporizer in the market today. Almost 20 years after its entry into the market, no company can produce an innovation better than the Storz & Bickel’s volcano. Being a desktop vaporizer, it inspired the production of many other brands including Magic Flight Launch Box (2010) and the Arizer Solo, (2011).

 

The modern vaporizers made work easy as they make the vapor, and the user inhales it to achieve the ultimate high and just like an electronic cannot function without charge, the vaporizer cannot operate without a vape atomizer. Atomizers come in many forms including RDAs, TRDAs, sub-ohm tanks and tank atomizers. Whichever brand you may choose to use, the vaping experience is surely one worth exploring

 

The Global E Vape market reports point out that while disposable e-cigarettes led the market until 2015, rechargeable e-cigs, followed by vaporizers and mods have taken the top market positions in terms of top revenue generation. And while the U.S. market is expected to continue dominating the forecasted period, China is predicted to grow at the fastest till 2025.

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How Surrounding States Are Feeling Hurricane Harvey

We are now starting to realize the severity of the damage Harvey caused on Texas and Louisiana. The recovery process is requiring more time and resources than anyone could have predicted.

 

The recovery effort in areas directly hit by the hurricane have rightly garnered the majority of the attention, but citizens in surrounding states are starting to feel the butterfly effect. We may just be starting to learn the severity of Harvey’s national impact.

 

Increased Prices, Lower Availability

In the thick of hurricane preparation, many major retailers began sending supplies to help the victims of Harvey. Products such as generators, flashlights, and chainsaws were taken directly off the shelves of surrounding hardware stores to help in the relief effort. Large stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s have disaster strategies that allow financial security through the relief process. But smaller, privately owned shops feel the backlash hitting a lot closer to home.

 

As a result, prices on metal, lumber, power tools, and other common goods are at a high in surrounding states. Despite high prices, the availability of these goods has also been inconsistent. Many people are coming from far and wide to purchase the supplies they vitally need. If you live in one of the surrounding states, this is simply the wrong time for home improvement.

 

Booming Real Estate Market

Though many hurricane victims are trying to repair damages to their homes and neighborhoods, thousands are moving to surrounding states. The post-hurricane Exodus has served as a boost for home prices in New Mexico, Arizona, and southern Oklahoma. Residents of those areas who have been considering a move are jumping on this opportunity. Phoenix moving companies are helping a huge number of displaced victims move to Arizona.

 

Beyond fluctuating prices, such an Exodus has a huge impact on neighborhoods. Many communities in the south and southwest are facing the challenge of accommodating hundreds of new faces. Harvey took place at the beginning of a new school year, and has been a huge obstacle for the academic success of Houston’s children. Many families are moving for the sole purpose of ensuring their children a full school year of learning.

 

Diminished Job Market and Economy

The job market of any state is an issue of supply and demand. When many new people suddenly enter an area, the number of available jobs diminishes quickly. Such is the case for those states which have taken the most victims from hurricane Harvey. The United States has been enjoying a consistent increase in job opportunities over the past two years, but that trend figures to slow down in the coming months. Though unemployment rates in the Houston area will be the highest, the trend is expected to reverberate throughout the country.

 

Perhaps the most infamous national drawback of Harvey is its impact on oil prices. Whether it should be or not, the price of gas is often viewed as a direct reflection of the economy. In the days following the hurricane, the surrounding states suffered a massive bump in gas prices. Weeks later, some areas are still reporting higher prices. Though Harvey has boosted regional real estate markets, those numbers don’t represent a true economy. When the country’s oil capitol gets put under water, the effect is felt far and wide.

 

From gas prices to real estate, hurricane Harvey has left its mark on the economy of Texas and the rest of the south. Disasters the likes of Harvey can be felt across the entire country. The people of Texas and Louisiana still have a long road to recovery, and those from surrounding states are along for the ride.

 

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What to Expect from Homes Built in the ’60s

Homes have vastly evolved from many decades ago. Today, they are modernized with the latest technology and developments that make them fantastic places to live. Homes built in the ’60s have a distinct style from all other buildings in the area.

 

Size

Homes built in the ’60s tend to be larger than their counterparts. Back in this era, there were massive homes that would house extended families. Today, as families have become smaller, homes have decreased in size as well. Homes built in the ’60s naturally have more rooms. Basements and attics are more common in these buildings, and whether they are constantly used or not, they are essential additions to the home. In old-fashioned neighborhoods, all of the homes are roughly the same size. New additions need to meet these standards to avoid standing out. For the larger homes built in the ’60s, some contractors have chosen to split them up into two smaller entities. For example, you can add a shed or garage to the side of some of these homes without disturbing the overall effect. Either way, the size of these older homes is definitely noticeable. If you check with the homeowner, you can find the official dimensions that define the house in itself.

 

Fireplaces

Fireplaces were particularly common during the ’60s. This trend started in North America, where homeowners were looking for ways to make their homes more comfortable during the wintertime. Today, fireplaces signify warmth and welcome. Even if they are not always in use, they make for a great setting for parties and gatherings. In addition, modern fireplaces are vastly different than ones in the ’60s. Modern fireplaces rely on artificial paint and materials to give a visual effect. Traditional fireplaces are more practical for use, but might not give off an authentic feel. These homes might still have firewood or metals from a previous decade that are now antiques.

 

Thick Walls

Walls have become much thinner over the years. Back in the ’60s, thick walls were the standard for most homes. Because insulation and room temperature were two of the biggest concerns, walls had to be thick to withstand all seasons. This doesn’t have too many implications for the home today. While it might be more sturdy in some scenarios, the quality of material back in the day was weaker as well. This tradeoff is just about even when all things are considered. When you visit a home built in the ’60s, tap on the walls to notice this gigantic difference. If you push gently, the wall might rebound in your direction, which signals that the walls have been altered since their inception. To meet certain standards, the homeowner may have refurbished the walls of the home.

 

Outdated Kitchens

Kitchens have come a long way since the 60s. While most cabinets were framed with quality woods, the doors were generally styled very differently from what you’d see today. Floors were very commonly wood or linoleum. The materials may not be ideal, but that’s nothing that a floor or kitchen cabinet refinishing job can’t fix.

 

Pools

It is a common misconception that pools are modern additions. In the ’60s, pools were fun ways for homeowners to provide an outdoor setting without a full backyard. Pools can take the shape of ovals, rectangles, or even circles. Depending on where the house is located, there could be adjacent pools with warm or cool water. While this style of pools is now outdated, pools are still popular additions to homes. To look for pool builders near me, use an online catalog of professionals. They can stop by your home and install a pool that will give your backyard a unique personality. The best pool builders have the right equipment, experience with the industry, and specific insight to the best look for your home.

 

Homes built in the ’60s are greatly different from ones that are built today. Although there are discrepancies in the methods involved, both are terrific examples of successful constructions. These antiques are special buildings that can be sold for incredibly high prices.

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Companies Need to Get Ready for Security Automation

Data protection has always been a top priority for businesses. If the wrong person gets ahold of your clients, your business practices, or your internal structures, they can easily topple the business that you’ve built. However, as we’ve moved further into using technology and the internet for business, attackers have also moved on, and cyber threats are becoming more common and more dangerous. Security automation is the up-and-coming answer to this. Here’s some information on how you can use security automation to keep your business safer.

1. Cyber Threats Have Increased Dramatically

When technology first started entering the world of business, cyber threats weren’t much of a threat at all. They existed, of course, attackers trying to get into your business and steal information or money, but a security team only needed a few members to keep them at bay. Nowadays, organizations receive thousands, and sometimes tens of thousands, security alerts every day, and it’s impossible to scan all of them and do the small manual changes needed to get rid of them, especially with a small security team.

2. Security Needs To Focus On Important Threats

As mentioned, many organizations get substantially more alerts every day than they can possibly keep up with. Most security teams are made up of very skilled coders who are there to protect the business from focused, dedicated attacks, not to stare at a monitor for eight hours a day, trying to decide which alerts constitute an actual problem. Security automation gets rid of this problem by having the program deal with the small issues and passing on legitimate threats to the coders, who can then focus their attention on those.

3. Response Planning Can Be Improved Significantly

If security’s entire job is to sort through tiny issues, they don’t have the time to plan for potential data protection issues; they’re working on the ones they have right now. When a huge virus hits a company, or an attacker gets through the firewall, security needs every second they have to fight that issue, and having a previously established plan means they can address the problem immediately instead of  spending precious time coming up with a game plan before actually getting to work. Security automation gives your security team the time to plan for potential future issues so your company is prepared for the real security problems it may face.

4. Data Protection Is Even More Important Than You Think

You probably understand that your data is important — “data” spans a large amount of things, including trade secrets and internal numbers that help with growing your business. However, your data may not be protected as much as you think it is. Data protection is a complicated process, and one that is constantly changing as cyber threats do, which means you can’t afford to be behind the curve when it comes to protecting the most important pieces of your business. Security automation helps with this by continuing to move your business further into safety, something that needs to constantly be happening in order to be effective. Security automation not only helps with data protection now, but helps with it in the future too, because it can easily be updated with the most recent issues it needs to concern itself with — and that can be the difference between being safe and having your business stolen.

5. Infrastructure Should Be Automated

Though it may not right now, your software should have a central hub that sends out code, rather than every piece of software being individually coded. This is easily the most important thing you as a company can do to be prepared for security automation. If each piece of software is coded by itself, the engineers have to configure every piece every time they make a change; if the software is changed by itself when the engineers change a central code, it frees up a significant amount of time that could be used for much more important things.                                                                    

Security automation is incredibly important, and one of the most helpful IT inventions of the last few years. Its ability to keep companies secure is unprecedented, and all companies should be preparing for it, whether they’ve started to implement it or not. Data protection should be your top priority as a company, and automation technologies are seeking to help you with that.

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Utilizing Modern Technology Actually Saves You Money

smart technology

A thermostat is usually known for enabling or disabling the boiler or for controlling the gas. And, it’s also known for helping you to manage your budget when it comes to gas and electric bills. For a number of years, the thermostat has been an ingenious device enabling automatic control of a heating system.

Recently, the thermostat device has undergone a significant evolution with the appearance of the programmable thermostat. In this article, we offer data to help you find the best connected thermostat for your needs. We also offer a wide range of data on connected thermostats and the various models of thermostats for boilers and for electric radiators.

Why Buy a Connected Programmable Thermostat?

A connected programmable wifi thermostat will decrease the cost of your bills, while maintaining an ideal comfortable temperature. A connected programmable thermostat adapts to the conditions of the moment, taking into account a target temperature programmed in advance. If you have apprehension when the bills arrive in your mailbox, home automation offers an ecological and sustainable solution to manage your home energy consumption through the use of a connected thermostat.

In a house or an apartment, in a town or in the countryside, wherever we live, we are always looking for simple solutions to feel at home. For complete home automation systems, we note the integration of a connected box with which the intelligent thermostat communicates. It is thus possible to configure the heating ranges or the desired temperatures, usually from a dedicated mobile application. Everything is done in a simple and practical way. These may involve a systematic lowering of the temperature when the room is empty or according to the time of day or night.

By taking advantage of the screen of the smartphone or the tablet, one has an overview of the settings in progress. The possibilities are then multiplied tenfold. With this association and the interaction created with the modules connected to the thermostat, the scenarios are numerous and the comfort of the house is further improved.

You’ll also be able to manage your hot water reserve more finely and further increase your energy savings. The connected thermostat is therefore one of the key components of any home automation system. It is essential to ensure the comfort of the house and therefore set up a connected automation system.

Connect with All Your Devices

The connected thermostat communicates with other home automation devices. We can cite Nest, Carrier, Trane, ecobee, Emerson, Energate, Honeywell, Computime, Nest, Venstar, Radio Thermostat Company of America and Toshiba…lots of manufacturers offer connected thermostats or heating systems connected with the leading providers of this new home automation intelligence. Taking advantage of the latest technological advances and following the trend driven by the rapid growth of connected objects, manufacturers are offering an improved version of the programmed thermostat, which includes wireless connectivity and allows interaction with a smartphone or a tablet.

For example, when the room is empty, an alert can be sent to the connected home automation box, in order to lock the locks, switch off the heating system or lower the temperature. Whether or not it is associated with a home automation box, the connected thermostat has the advantage of enabling the realization of energy savings. In many cases, it is necessary to program the automation, and the most famous system is the Nest Learning Thermostat.

From this moment on, the connected thermostat can be used to order various commands. Indeed, by choosing the lowest possible temperature, or by optimizing the temperature according to each moment, and depending on each zone, ideal energy efficiency and savings can be achieved on your gas and electricity bills.

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Why Companies Should Spend More on Cyber Security

As companies continue to adapt their business models to integrate the best business practices alongside developing technology, CEO’s and CFO’s must take into consideration the issue of cyber security, and develop a strategy to keep their business protected online as well as off. As top businesses become more and more reliant on digital goods and services, the number of cyber attacks will continue to increase in attempts to steal or damage these assets.

A Cisco survey recently indicated that nearly 87 percent of top executives expected their company’s cyber security spending to increase at least “significantly” over the next 12 months.  So what are they spending so much money to protect? In addition to prevents losses due to cyber threat, cyber defense strategies are now also seen as a way to equip companies with a shield against attacks that target knowledge and innovation, two key drivers of company growth.

This trend emphasizes the need for businesses to develop a security strategy that can withstand the attacks from cyber spies, corporate espionage and hackers looking to bring down networking systems. The company that fails to protect itself can experience catastrophic damage in a very short period of time.

With this as a background, consider the additional following reasons as to why companies are justified in allocating more funds to cyber security.

When a cyber attacks happens, it affects more than just a single business

One of the biggest threats of a cyber attack on a business is not simply the unintended exposure of the company, but also the risk that valuable client information can be stolen, breaching personal and corporate security measures.

Earlier in 2017, Verizon learned this lesson first hand after millions of customer records were exposed following a security lapse. This particular incident occurred due to an unprotected server comprised by an employee of a third-party contractor.

In addition to beefing up its security options and a thorough review of partner-contract relations, Verizon must also gain back the trust of its customers.

 

In B2B operations, cyber attacks become increasingly more dangerous when commercial security requires network monitoring of multiple networks. Businesses must ensure that each corporation engagement occurs through a safe and secured connection that will not lead to a system’s compromise.

The financial implications of a large-scale cyber attack can be staggering

Businesses depend on steady and predictable revenue streams and a disruption of this process for even a single day can be a major disruption for large corporations. While a direct attack on company financial information, may appear to be the most threatening form of attack, any assault that prevents a business from operating normally can make a huge dent in a company’s profitability, adding an unwanted force into a market equation. As the global market place continues to grow, companies must understand that these factors are important to consider in developing a strong digital defense strategy.

After Target’s high-profile cyber security breach back in 2013, the company was left trying to mitigate a massive $162 million hole in their budget after the loss of shopper credit cards and lost sales. Other high-profile losses include Sony-PlayStation ($171 million), TJ Maxx ($162 million) and Sony Pictures ($100 million).

A strong, secure network can quickly become a competitive advantage for a company

By investing more budget and jobs into defending network security, companies minimize a weakness while also enlarging a potential strength. Nothing will strengthen investor’s confidence more than knowing that company innovations and digital assets are safely stored and protected from any number of attacks. Companies that develop commercial security excellence are free to continue the process of digital transformation uninhibited by outside threats.

With data-driven business models changing the nature of competition, companies must remain innovative in how they choose to build and secure network systems if they are going to have the speed and capacity to compete in digital markets.

On example of this is the mobile market, which has grown by the billions over just a few short years requiring companies everywhere to scale up in technology in order to remain connected to consumers. As companies continue to the push to digitize all that can be digitized, growing the bottom line of a business depends on a company’s ability to securely innovate, react, and respond appropriately to developments in technology.

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How to Boost Your Financial Confidence

Finances can help individuals and businesses, but they can also cause a lot of stress, worry, and lead to many arguments. For both individuals and companies, it is important to keep up your financial confidence. It may sound silly to hear the word “confidence” and “finances” in the same sentence, but when we are comfortable talking about money and finances our lives can be smoother. Some tips on how to help boost your financial confidence and keep this confidence sustained throughout the lifetime of your business include beginning to plan now rather than later, continuously making goals, becoming comfortable with talking about money, considering insurance a worthy insurance, and being prepared for the future.

 

The Sooner The Better

Whether setting a New Year’s resolution or planning and completing a budgeting goal, establishing ways to improve your financial confidence can benefit both you and your business. One of the best ways to elevate your financial confidence is to actually have money. The sooner you start working on a budgeting goal, the sooner you can see more money in the bank and gain a boost in your financial confidence. Establishing a budget can help you you manage your funds better and stay within your means. Additionally, another example of a budgeting goal is to set aside money each month for a rainy day. Having an emergency fund is a great way to ensure that you or your business is ready for anything. It doesn’t have to be a large emergency fund or even a large financial goal, but having one established and sticking to it sooner rather than later allows your financial confidence to build stronger.

 

Continuously Set Goals

When setting goals, the most important element of setting these goals is to actually commit to completing them. Setting goals is one thing but accomplishing them is an entirely different feat. It is important that when making these goals, you are realistic in both the task itself as well as the timeline you create for it. For example, most debt is something that cannot be payed off in a week; you must understand that it is a long-term goal that will take time and commitment to accomplish. Many (some would argue all) financial goals are achieved in months, sometimes even years.

A quick fix is seldom likely for these goals and therefore not realistic. Additionally, when establishing a specific time period for each goal, it can help you focus more on accomplishing your goal knowing that there is a deadline. For example, 21 days is a great and effective amount of time to allow a good habit replace a bad one. By effectively setting financial goals and their accompanying timelines, you can manage your business’s money better and improve your financial confidence.Many individuals push long-term financial goals to the back of their mind because it often comes off as more overwhelming than short-term financial goals. Becoming more familiar with financial advice and financial options can help individuals gain financial confidence.

 

Become Familiar With The Word “Money”

For reasons that will never fully be explained, money has become a taboo topic. People are often intimidated when someone brings up the topic of money or anything that has to do with finances. Many individuals hesitate to share details of salaries, what they spend on day-to-day items or how much they paid for their house or car. Additionally, people may also get uncomfortable when it comes to discussing debts and other budget issues. This is not an uncommon feeling. These communication struggles can be difficult for spouses, business partners, roommates and even close friends to discuss. However, money represents freedom and there is no better way to get there than educating yourself and those persons in business with you. By constantly talking about money with others and being aware of your financial situation, you can boost your confidence knowing there will be no surprises because you are always in the loop.

 

Insurance Should Become Your Best Friend

Another way to boost your financial confidence is to always have insurance. Even if you have your ACLS certification you will want to have insurance. Insurance has the ability to cover you, your family, your business, and your assets in just about every situation. Income insurance partially covers your salary if you’re injured or suffer an illness that keeps you from working. Life insurance is also beneficial for unexpected circumstances, especially if you have children or other dependents. With insurances you can sleep easy at night, confident that you and your loved ones will be okay if an emergency arises.

 

Prepare For What Is Yet To Come

The future can never truly be predicted. Change is something that is inevitable and sometimes can be unavoidable. The best way to be ready and confident when financial changes do come is to be prepared for any situation that may present itself. As we have mentioned above, insurance and a savings account are a great cushion for unexpected situations. Additionally, an individual’s career path is a possible example of something susceptible to change your financial status. For some, achieving financial confidence is achieved by gaining an education and enrolling in medical assistant programs or other online courses to be prepared for a career jump. Having additional training provides them with this confidence because they are prepared for a new job if change is necessary.

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