As more and more businesses move their IT resources into the cloud, it’s no wonder that a company as big as Google is doing everything it can to upgrade the products it delivers over the internet. The search giant has at least 60 separate cloud services, and its most recent release makes them all faster.

What is Google Cloud Platform?

Similar to Amazon Web Services or Microsoft’s Azure, the Google Cloud Platform is a suite of services that run in Google data centers around the world and are accessible to clients over the internet. There are currently 60 services available, grouped into nine categories:

• Compute
• Storage and Databases
• Networking
• Big Data (for analysis)
• Internet of Things
• Machine Learning
• Management Tools
• Developer Tools
• Identity and Security

Each one offers a unique set of tools for getting work done in the cloud. For example, the Compute category has several services for setting up virtual desktops powered by high-end hardware that can be logged into from almost anywhere.

What is Google upgrading?

To put it simply, a new approach to bandwidth management will allow Google to send more information in less time. Way back in the ’80s, an algorithm was standardized that recognized when data didn’t reach the final destination and reacted accordingly. The assumption was that the majority of this data loss was due to an overloaded connection, so when the entity sending the data noticed losses, it slowed down transfer speeds.

A lot has changed since then, and recently Google introduced a new algorithm for its search and streaming video services. It was a huge success, granting YouTube a 2,700x improvement to its YouTube network throughput in some cases.

By applying this new technology to the Google Cloud Platform, customers will see noticeably faster service, regardless of whether they’re storing and retrieving business data or hosting an application.

Web and cloud services are indispensable for keeping up with the breakneck pace of IT advancements in a cost-effective manner. Choosing the right platform and configuring it properly isn’t something to be taken lightly. For expert advice and support, message us today.

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From computers to smartphones to tablets, we use smart devices every day. Web browsing is one of the most common forms of usage, so isn’t it time we were able to share websites from one device onto another? Android and Microsoft agree, and have devised a solution.

According to Gartner, Android operating systems held 81.7 percent of the worldwide smartphone market share in 2016. Windows PCs have a similarly robust 84 percent of the desktop operating system market share worldwide.

It comes as no surprise that Microsoft plans to closely align many of its features with Android. In fact, they’ve just released a new Windows 10 preview for PCs with which consumers can try out some new features. Microsoft Apps is one of them, a test application that focuses on cross-device web browsing so you can send website links from your Android phone to your Windows PC.

How does it work?

On your Android phone, go to Settings > Phone > Link Your Phone. You will receive an SMS directing you to install Microsoft Apps. Once installed, you can share websites with your PC by clicking the Share option and then picking the “Continue on PC” option.

From there, you’ll have to sign in with the same Microsoft Account you’re using on your PC. You’ll then have two options to choose from, “Continue now” which opens the website on the linked PC, and “Continue later” which makes the website appear in the Action Center of your computer instead.

This is part of the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, set to arrive in September this year. What’s more, you can also expect to see more Android and Windows 10 features in the future, including apps content sharing to and from PCs, as well as content copying-and-pasting from a universal clipboard.

As always, if you have any questions about any Android device, give us a call.

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In an effort to build stronger relationships with major developers, Citrix worked with Google to get their virtual desktops running on Google’s cloud platform last month. This means certain Citrix products can be accessed by G Suite and Google Cloud users. Read on to find out what new features will soon be available.

Workspace Service
Organizations often struggle to manage multiple apps, especially if some are running on a cloud environment while others are running locally. This means devices and applications are disjointed, making processes slow and inefficient.

With Citrix Workspace integrated with Google Cloud, businesses can unify all their web-based, mobile, desktop, and Google apps into one hub to easily manage access permissions, security updates, and workflows across applications and devices. Essentially, this feature enables businesses to better manage their hybrid IT environments.

ShareFile
Along with Workspace Service, Citrix also announced that they will be bringing their ShareFile feature to G Suite. ShareFile uses advanced encryption to protect data in transit and at rest. When used as a plugin for Gmail, employees can send emails and file attachments securely.

Additionally, ShareFile has a “follow-me data” feature that allows seamless access to local drives, network drives, and Google Drive. When enabled on G Suite, users can run, edit, and save documents to their virtual apps and desktop software while on the road.

NetScaler
Another feature that will soon be released for Google Cloud is Citrix’s NetScaler. NetScaler is a system that uses load balancing to optimize the performance of apps and services. In other words, it makes sure that applications are getting sufficient computing resources (e.g., processing power, RAM, storage space). If used properly, applications can run up to five times faster and experience little to no downtime.

By combining NetScaler and Google Cloud, developers can take advantage of Google’s vast computing resources to build powerful applications and run them in the cloud easily.

Considering how these features allow employees to access and manage their desktop infrastructure online, it’s clear that both Citrix and Google want more businesses moving to the cloud. Only time will tell whether these features will actually ease the transition for business owners who are on the fence about the cloud.

If you want to know more about the cloud and virtualization technologies, call us today. We’ll make sure you have all the information you need before investing in cutting-edge solutions.

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Blockchain is the newest technology to fuel the Silicon Valley hype train. Everyone is talking about the wonderful things it can do, but few have explained how it works in layman’s terms. Stay ahead of your competition with a crash course in this new and exciting technology!

What is blockchain?

Although the technology was first associated with Bitcoin and other digital currencies, blockchain is not exclusive to the financial sector. To grasp why blockchain is such a game changer, there are three basic components you need to understand:

• Blocks: essentially these are just encrypted information or documents. In the case of Bitcoin it was transaction histories, but in healthcare this could be something like test results.
• Chains: by linking every block to the one that preceded it with an encrypted address, chains are created that add complexity and make data harder to counterfeit. For example, one set of test results would be much easier to forge than an entire patient history.
• Decentralized networks: each time a block is added to the chain, that information is distributed to a vast network of computers. Each computer in the network has its own copy of the chain, which means if one computer tries to alter previous blocks in the chain, others can compare it with their local copies and recognize it as a fake.

In the financial industry, blockchain technology means transactions and account balances no longer need to be validated by a centralized authority, like banks. One person can transfer money to another because each computer in the network can examine the chain to confirm he or she has the funds, and add a block logging the transfer and updating both account balances.

The record of a transaction can’t be altered unless the security of every computer in the network was compromised simultaneously. That level of data security and integrity is perfect for reducing costs in the healthcare industry.

Blockchain technology in healthcare

Even as providers shift from paper documents to digital files, data loss continues to be one of the biggest problems in the industry. According to CRICO Strategies, miscommunication causes $1.7 billion in damage and results in as many as 2,000 lost lives. Test results get lost, records aren’t properly updated, and care settings are misunderstood; whatever form miscommunication takes, it’s losing your practice money.

For now, there are three main benefits of blockchain technology in the healthcare sector:

• Medical histories and records can be stored in a secure chain that patients have full control over. If a primary care physician needs to see a diagnosis the patient received from a specialist, it can be viewed as soon as the patient provides authorization.
• Payments between banks, government entities, providers and patients can all be coordinated in a fraction of the time and without costly intermediaries.
• Healthcare equipment usage, depreciation and lifecycles can be automatically tracked in a chain to keep better tabs on the status of expensive and fragile fixtures.

The past few years have been tough on the healthcare industry. Ransomware has taken a toll on data security, and providers are relying on costly solutions to keep up with the exponential growth in digital records. Blockchain technology is poised to take care of both problems in one fell swoop.

Adopting new technology is intimidating, especially in a heavily regulated industry where data security is so important. We’re starting to see blockchain-based healthcare startups pop up, but before you can embrace this shift, you need a full-time team to manage the integrity of your files. To find out how we can protect you today and prepare you for tomorrow, give us a call.

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