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Showing posts with label business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business. Show all posts

The role of business intelligence in gathering requirements

Written By anfaku01 on Monday, June 13, 2011 | 4:03 AM

Software development teams to create all types of software for all types of industry. Thus software can vary widely between companies, but all companies have the same objective: to develop quality software on time, on budget, and that meets the real needs of the customer.

After you have defined the scope of the project, the next step is for a business analytics needs to collect full. This is the most important task for business intelligence.

Business analyst (BA) is responsible for determining where to find the requirements. Usually they will have subject matter experts (SMEs) and/or users of the software to collect claims.

BA is also responsible for defining the approach they use to capture requirements. They can have a meeting in a Conference Hall with all present, they can do in person and at the Conference, or they can do some small sessions if the people are in different locations, time zones.

BA should be detailed and complete requirements. Here is an example of a vague requirement: you need the ability to accept payments.

An example of a more detailed requirements: "should the ability to accept payments via Master Card, Visa, debit cards and checks.

In the example above would still be more requirements that would spin on that one, but by identifying more specific initial requirement, he helps Ba know what other questions to ask relating to the payment reception.

BA is also responsible for prioritizing requirements. Some companies use something like "Must be nice to advanced, and others may use the priority number as must have 1-3 with 1 point and going down from there.

It is important to take this step to set priorities because it sometimes comes into play when considering project. When projects must be completed by a certain date (as most do), sometimes the scope of the project you want to change in order to meet that date. It helps to know what the requirements are the most important and least important when a team project is the definition of what could be held for later instead of having to go into production in the initial release.

Security requirements is most important to the business analyst is to draft. Requirements will be used by developers to create software and if you do not have a clear and concise claims software will contain incorrect functionality or feature and would not be in line with expectations or needs of your business partners.

Therese Bennett
Analyst coach
1-866-968-6657
http://www.theanalystcoach.NET/
Go to my site, Subscribe to my free newsletter with great tips for IT and get a report of "The Top 10 success Secrets from his intelligence, value 19.95.


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4:03 AM | 0 comments

How to choose the cloud backup solution for business

Written By anfaku01 on Friday, June 10, 2011 | 1:47 PM

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There are MANY cloud backup solutions on the market today. It has become very difficult to know which is the right one for your needs; everyone is claiming they are the best, the easiest, the fastest, etc. After 10 years of experience in the field and hundreds of thousands of hours spent on global analytical research I have put together a list of the most important factors to consider before choosing a solution:

1- In any business time is money. A key feature in a backup solution is simplicity when it comes to deployment and installation; zero hassle, zero employee intervention, zero headache. The installation should be seamless and take up little-to-no time to complete. Everything should be handled on a central, remote location on the cloud without the need to install anything on individual machines or on a complex local server.

2- Configuration should be done completely in the cloud throughout the entire company; there should'nt be a need to manually configure each machine with regards to the backup settings and what data will be backed up. A solution that requires manually setting up a backup policy/job configuration should not even be a consideration.

3- Why stress over using separate software to handle images of your hard disk stored on local locations when you can find a cloud backup solution that handles all of that for you? Using a cloud backup solution that supports complete DR will remove the hassle of worrying about local storage, servers, purchasing hard disks, etc.

4- For example: If you are away on a business trip and your Windows somehow gets corrupted you can easily repair your entire system from the cloud. With today's high-speed internet it will only take a couple of hours to get back up and running with all of your data, applications and settings intact.

5- Make sure that DR comes with "true" deduplication technology. If the Disaster Recovery is not deduped it will not be useful (Deduplication refers to backing up only one instance of a particular file throughout the world and using pointers to acknowledge who can access this file. This can be done on common files, such as Windows files to save both time and space) A true cloud solution is mandatory! Most cloud backup solutions use proprietary storage, backing up to their own personal servers. A true cloud solution means that your data will be stored in well known, first class storage facilities that duplicate your data throughout their global network of locations. Using a proprietary storage location has a great deal of risk since they are not as secure or reliable. In 2009 Carbonite lost the data of their customers due to proprietary storage failures. True cloud locations like Amazon, Nirvanix, etc. also have a risk but their risk is much smaller and backed with a guarantee to help protect you from such instances.

6- Block Level Backup, otherwise known as Delta Backup, is crucial. Block Level Backup breaks up larger files, that are changed often, into smaller pieces and only backs up pieces that have been modified. For example: Outlook stores all emails in one large.PST file, without block level backup your Cloud solution would backup this large file (around 1 GB) each time you receive an email which will tie up your business' bandwidth and is not very practical. Block level will allow you to only back up the modified sections of the file saving both time and space.

7- Security is obviously extremely important to all businesses. A backup solution is handling important data and time and effort should be made to make sure that it is secure. The key things to look out for is that the backup will be encrypted using AES-256 or higher, your backup is encrypted at the source and that you are given the ability to authorize personal encryption for key people in the company, such as the CEO.

8- One of the major benefits with leveraging the cloud is the ability to access your data at all times. Your backup solution should provide the same convenience. You should be able to access your backed up data through a web interface and/or your mobile device. By access this means the ability to restore, view, share and maybe even edit.

9- Speed!!! Backing up an entire computer, let alone a company, can be extremely time consuming. There are different technologies that help speed up the process; make sure the solution you choose uses these technologies. Most cloud solutions on the market are extremely slow and give little to no options when it comes to throttling the bandwidth. A backup solution that is slow negates all other fancy features that it may contain.

10- Strong management consoles are often overlooked. A powerful web console can make or break a backup solution. The management section should allow you to completely control your entire company's backup; You should be able to view reports and monitor activity, edit, add and suspend users, create/edit backup policies, control security, etc. all directly from the cloud. Many backup solutions on the market claim to have such management functionality, but at the end of the day all it does is handle the billing, which is important but not the only important thing. There is no point in backing up if you cannot restore. The backup solution you choose should come with a variety of restore options. Backup has come a long way from single file restore, emailing compressed files, or requesting a CD with the restored data to be shipped which can take a lot of time. In this fast paced day and age, time is of the essence, so restoring a file should be done in seconds. There should be several restore options, such as file restore, folder restore, drag and drop restore, restoring deleted files, restore from an older version, and complete Disaster Recovery restore. These options should also be available in remote locations such as from a web interface or a mobile device.

11- Data is critical and losing your data can be detrimental! Make sure the backup solution you choose gives you the ability to restore your entire machine easily and quickly in case anything were to happen to your data. You should have the option to restore data to its original location and even restore Windows files if needed.

12- Cost!!! As a business owner the last thing you need to worry about is another bill. Payment should be straightforward, one flat fee and without surprise charges.

13- Features and bells and whistles are great but if it affects your computer's performance it is going to slow productivity. You should not be able to feel the impact of a backup solution and it should never interrupt your work. To have different performance modes, such as battery mode or presentation mode, are key. For example: If you are presenting a PowerPoint to an important customer you should not have to feel a hang because a backup has started. The solution should intelligently notice that you are running a presentation and slow down the backup so that it goes unnoticed.

14- Finally, as a business, you need something that is simple to setup, worry free, and requires little to no learning curve. A set-it-and-forget-it type of solution is ideal.

Business wide backup is important, and with the increase in computer reliant data its importance is only growing stronger. There are many players in the market claiming to be the fastest, easiest, most powerful, and the best so it can become confusing. This article sums up all of the major features that should be mandatory when selecting a cloud backup solution. Without the core features such as the backup technology, user experience, restore options, seamless performance, and a safe and secure cloud storage facility, a backup solution will not be as powerful and as beneficial as it could be. The key is to look for a solution that is the complete package, provides complete protection, access and sharing options, and of course a fail safe such as a variety of restore options and disaster recovery in case something were to happen to your computer. This article should make choosing a company wide backup solution a little less confusing and allow you to benefit from all that a cloud backup can offer.

Muayyad is an Architect and a software designer, he spent years working on creating a cloud backup solution to change the way business-wide backup is done. Our main goal was to create a real cloud backup solution for Windows that goes above and beyond just sending a copy of your data to the cloud and referring to it as a backup. You can try Timeline Cloud for FREE.


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1:47 PM | 0 comments

Cloud computing for business applications

Advances in computer technology have increased levels of performance and productivity of businesses of all sizes. Speed data and Internet usage increasing, coupled with higher capacities and diverse range of electronic devices have resulted in a new era in networking. On the cutting edge technology of cloud computing.

What exactly is cloud computing? Through cloud computing service provider, a presentation platform that acts as a remote data center where users can access files and software safely through many devices anywhere there's Internet access. This solution for businesses and individuals looking for an easy way to store and access to MEDIA from one device to another and to share media with other people who have been granted access.

Cloud computing may seem complicated, but it can be used by anyone. There is no need for end user to understand the complexity of the infrastructure or the networking facility and how it works. Interesting and applicable examples to compare electricity where users will have access to the service, but don't understand necessarily, systems and components that provide the service.

This model, which is an environment where networks, applications and storage can be shared by many users with minimal effort. It requires minimal care provider interaction and makes available merge computer sources, which can be shared on demand. This ability to store data remotely offers many opportunities for small businesses. No need to keep the programs and files that are stored on the local people can now work with your phone, the touch pad or notebook anywhere, and share their files with anyone else in the company. Cloud computing may also be used as a remote backup, storage beyond copies of important documents in case recovery is needed to repair computers.

Because cloud computing providers deliver online business applications and infrastructure, these services can be used without investing a lot of resources. Especially useful for small and medium-sized businesses, these services are able to stop outsourcing, making it more accessible, saving time and money for their own purposes. Offering low cost, complete customization and support options, cloud computing has become a competitor in computer networks for small businesses.

This new platform is still a new technology, but will contribute to the creation of a new generation of products and services. Many large companies invest resources, infrastructure and exploring the potential of cloud computing as a platform. Goods and services that previously were not cost effective or viable options for many businesses will be available through the providers of these services. Share a resource pool allows users to create real-time connections, making draft cooperation and partnership more effective.

This revolutionary computer networking platform, made possible by advances in computer technology will eventually be commonplace in businesses of all sizes. Cloud computing has a strong and promising beginning and most definitely will have a lasting impact on the business environment, business practices and performance.

Penny Lee specializes in providing reliable computer network support for enterprises that want to increase productivity and profitability. Repair of computers and IT-support system that better maps to your business you'll never have to worry about the technology again.


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4:16 AM | 0 comments

Cloud computing and services help empower your business and employees

Written By anfaku01 on Thursday, June 9, 2011 | 8:37 AM

All companies start small, medium and large dependent on technology for everyday activities. Waiting for the technology are that it should be accessible to 99.9% of the time and work. If it doesn't work, money is lost through not being productive through without access to key information or opportunities to reach customers.

Create and manage the technical infrastructure is expensive. Capital should be used to purchase servers. And contracts put in place to maintain and preserve the lights on the server.

The traditional approach to the server at the main office with telephone PBX was a solution that works well for many years.

Changes in employment, whether at home or when traveling and expanding new offices is challenging the traditional approach.

Besides saving on the server and update time is costly and expensive. In addition when the server is not available in Office through loss of power, hardware malfunction or virus infections, the entire company is without the ability to access information and communicate with customers.

Cloud computing and services offer a compelling alternative to traditional it solutions, installation and maintenance of server and/or IP PBX.

Your current settings, jobs, number of employees and quality connections will influence how much difference a cloud computer or service can help ensure sustainability for your technology and further enhance the capacity of staff to the right information at the right time, wherever they are.

There are a large number of services. Sound Board will request it support company, which has a good knowledge to help you understand how to operate your business and suggest practical ways that cloud computing and hosted services can help you empower your business and employees.

Below is a selection of services that are offered:
• Remote desktops
• Remote servers
• Email
• File storage
• Telephone systems (VoIP)
• Application such as SAGE

Company with a good knowledge of traditional it supports and cloud computing and hosted services will be able to quickly help you decide which cloud computing/hosting services for your business.

The cloud computing and services is usually very simple and does not affect your business anyway. Through the company with a good knowledge of cloud computing and services will help you make a very smooth transition.

Stuart Turner-Director Sapien IT services that provide innovative it support and cloud/services companies in Cambridge and surrounding areas host.
http://Sapien.IT/


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8:37 AM | 0 comments

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