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Benefits of machine learning on productivity

Did you know that learning how to use an application is a two-way process? In fact, your applications learn something new about you after every interaction. They take note of your frequently visited sites and other data points to make your tasks easier so you can avoid repetitive work.

The post Benefits of machine learning on productivity appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Benefits of machine learning on productivity

Did you know that learning how to use an application is a two-way process? In fact, your applications learn something new about you after every interaction. They take note of your frequently visited sites and other data points to make your tasks easier so you can avoid repetitive work. Before you worry too much about privacy, take a second to learn about Google's focus on using these tools to boost productivity.

Based on thousands and possibly millions of recorded actions and data, machine learning analyzes your past actions to guess what you need to do next. Machine learning can suggest specific documents, launch apps, schedule meetings, and send emails depending on your email writing schedule, the device you're using, and apps you're using at the time.

How does machine learning work?

One great example is using the Explore button on Google Sheets. It’s a small cross icon button on the lower right portion of the screen that reveals data trends. Through machine learning, Explore can also analyze written data, and suggest the best layout and settings for you. It can even help you format and design your file!

Machine learning ultimately helps you avoid menial tasks, like locating a document that’s lost in years of saved random documents in one folder. Machine learning automatically suggests files or websites that you usually open during certain times of day.

Other routine tasks like searching for and downloading files, sorting emails, and launching apps are also made easier through machine learning. Imagine the time and effort that you’re going to save if you’re only focusing on jobs that actually require your brain cells to work!

No more spam emails

One of the best benefits of machine learning algorithms is the significant reduction of spam in your emails. Manually managing emails and sorting them into folders can take hours. That’s a huge waste of time and money if you’re paying employees for other, more technical, skills.

If you still think of Gmail as a low-level consumer app, it’s time to reevaluate that assumption. Upgrading to the business subscription gives you greater control over the spam filter and malware detector so you can boost employee productivity.

Replying to emails can be a monotonous task sometimes. But with Smart Reply, getting to inbox zero can be accomplished in minutes. Gmail suggests reply templates for each mail you receive. It's already a great feature when you need to respond with something basic like, "Yea, that time works for me!" but it gets more accurate and intelligent every time you add a hand-typed a response to the database.

All these features make work collaboration more accessible and way faster. This makes Google Apps perfect for businesses that require remote and constant collaboration with colleagues. For more information about these features, contact us today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

The post Benefits of machine learning on productivity appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

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Essential Android apps you should be using

Finding and installing the right apps for your tablet is a challenge to many Android users. How do you know which ones will boost your device’s functionality? Instead of downloading apps at random, try out these seven essential apps for your Android phone or tablet.

The post Essential Android apps you should be using appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Essential Android apps you should be using

Finding and installing the right apps for your tablet is a challenge to many Android users. How do you know which ones will boost your device’s functionality? Instead of downloading apps at random, try out these seven essential apps for your Android phone or tablet.

Google Drive

Google Drive gives you 15GB of free cloud storage (you can purchase additional storage as needed), plus access to Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Keep to do both work and personal tasks even while on the go. It also includes Google Photos, which you can use to store, view, and share photos and videos.

Microsoft Office apps

The Microsoft Office apps bring you all the essential tools you need to get work done. They encompass all the familiar Office apps, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Create and edit documents anytime, anywhere, on any internet-connected device. And with these apps’ integration with OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud service, your documents are automatically saved and easily shared with others.

Evernote

Trouble keeping track of your tasks and ideas? Then Evernote is the app for you. Create handwritten notes, or notes that take the form of a voice memo, photo, screenshot, or an excerpt from an online article. And with their smart search tools, finding the notes or notebooks you need is a breeze. The Premium and Business options offer even more features. For example, the Business plan includes Spaces, which you can use to organize notes in separate notebooks that different teams in your company can access.

AirDroid

Exclusive to Android, AirDroid is a file-sharing app that lets you wirelessly transfer files from a smartphone or tablet to a PC, and vice versa, all at lightning speed. It also allows you to access your device from your computer — manage your messages, contacts, camera, media files, and apps from your laptop’s or desktop’s web browser.

Pocket

Save content from a wide range of sources for offline viewing with Pocket. If you come across an interesting article on a news site or a video on Twitter, simply tap on the Share button in your device’s menu or the share menu in an app to save it onto Pocket. You can add tags to your saved content, so that they’re easy to find and pull up when you need them. And if you’re happy with your picks, share them with others through their Pocket accounts or social media.

CamScanner

This nifty application allows you to use your Android tablet’s camera to scan documents such as invoices, forms, and receipts, and have them exported as PDF files. You can store, sync, and collaborate on these documents across a variety of web-enabled devices. The app also comes with support for sending faxes, OCR (optimal character recognition), printing, and more.

LastPass

Memorizing all your passwords for all your social media accounts, apps, and websites is a pain, and that’s why a good password manager like LastPass is essential. This app quickly generates strong and secure passwords, and automatically logs you into various apps and websites across all your devices. With LastPass, you don’t have to remember a password ever again.

This list is far from being a comprehensive one, but these apps can help you get the most out of your device. If you want to learn how to use Android devices to boost your business’s efficiency, give us a call today.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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Beware of these 4 types of hackers

Hackers come in all shapes and sizes. From kids wanting to gain notoriety on the internet to political groups trying to send a message, the motives for a cyberattack vary widely. So how can you protect yourself? It all starts with getting to know your enemy a little better.

The post Beware of these 4 types of hackers appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

Beware of these 4 types of hackers

Hackers come in all shapes and sizes. From kids wanting to gain notoriety on the internet to political groups trying to send a message, the motives for a cyberattack vary widely. So how can you protect yourself? It all starts with getting to know your enemy a little better. Here’s a profile of four different types of hackers.

Script Kiddies

Skill-wise, script kiddies (or skids, for short) are at the bottom of the hacker totem pole. Their name comes from the fact that they use scripts or other automated tools written by others. Most of the time, script kiddies are young people on a quest for internet notoriety. Or, more often than not, they’re simply bored and in search of a thrill. Many never become full-time hackers; in fact, many script kiddies end up using their skills for the greater good, working in the security industry.

Though lacking in hacking know-how, script kiddies shouldn’t be dismissed so easily, as they can cause businesses much damage. In May 2000, for instance, a couple of skids sent out an email with the subject line “ILOVEYOU” and ended up causing a reported $10 billion in lost productivity and digital damage.

Hacktivists

Hacktivists are primarily politically motivated, and they often hack into businesses and government systems to promote a particular political agenda or to effect social change. These so-called “hackers with a cause” steal confidential information to expose or simply disrupt their target’s operations.

If you’re a small- or medium-sized (SMB) owner, don’t think for a second that you’re immune to hacktivist attacks. This is especially true if your company is associated or partnered with organizations that are prime hacktivist targets. Or, if your business provides services that can be seen as unethical, you may targeted by hacktivists as well.

Cybercriminals

When a hacker breaks into digital systems or networks with malicious intent, they are considered a cybercriminal. Cybercriminals target everyone from individuals to SMBs to large enterprises and banks that either have a very valuable resource to steal or security that is easy to exploit, or a combination of both.

They can attack in a number of ways, including using social engineering to trick users into volunteering sensitive personal or company data, which they can then sell in underground markets in the dark web. They can also infect computers with ransomware and other malware, or use digital technology to carry out “conventional crimes” like fraud and illegal gambling.

Insiders

Perhaps the scariest type of hacker is the one that lurks within your own organization. An insider can be anyone from current and former employees to contractors to business associates. Oftentimes their mission is payback: to right a wrong they believe a company has done them, they’ll steal sensitive documents or try to disrupt the organization somehow. Edward Snowden is a prime example of an insider who hacked his own organization — the US government.

Now that you know what motivates your enemy, and you think you might be a target, it’s time to secure your business from the different types of hackers out there. Get in touch with our experts today to learn how.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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5 tips to get the most out of Mac OS

If you think using your Mac can’t be any easier, you have another think coming. Mac’s shortcuts not only help you save time, but they can also boost your productivity. Here are some tips and tricks that will make using your Mac easier.

Open programs and files faster

Want a quicker way to open files and programs? If you’re tired of opening Finder and scrolling through hundreds of apps and files, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a much more efficient solution, and that’s Spotlight.

The post 5 tips to get the most out of Mac OS appeared first on Complete Technology Resources, Inc..

5 tips to get the most out of Mac OS

If you think using your Mac can’t be any easier, you have another think coming. Mac’s shortcuts not only help you save time, but they can also boost your productivity. Here are some tips and tricks that will make using your Mac easier.

Open programs and files faster

Want a quicker way to open files and programs? If you’re tired of opening Finder and scrolling through hundreds of apps and files, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a much more efficient solution, and that’s Spotlight.

To use Spotlight, follow these steps:

  1. Press Command + Space bar to launch your search.
  2. Type the first few letters of the app or file you’d like to open.
  3. On the drop-down menu that appears, scroll down to the app or file you’re searching for and hit Enter.

Force quit apps

When the pinwheel of death rears its ugly head, your application stalls and your productivity comes to a standstill. There’s no better time to make use of the Force Quit shortcut. Here’s how to do it.

  1. Press Command + Option + Esc to display the list of all running apps.
  2. Click on the one you’d like to quit.

Launch apps, files, and server connections automatically

Save time by automatically launching a program when you log in by following these steps:

  1. Go to System Preferences.
  2. Choose Users & Groups.
  3. Select your account.
  4. Click on Login Items.
  5. Use the plus and minus signs to add programs, files, folders, etc. you’d like to automatically launch upon login.
  6. Click Add to save.

Take a screenshot

Sometimes, sharing an image of what's on your screen is easier than describing it in text. Here are three easy ways to take a screenshot on your Mac.

  • For an image of your entire screen, press Command + Shift + 3.
  • For an image of an open window, press Command + Shift + 4 and the space bar. Click on the window you’d like an image of.
  • For an image of a portion of your display, press Command + Shift + 4. Click and drag over the area you’d like to get an image of.

If you’re already using Mac OS Mojave, the latest version of Apple’s desktop OS, press Command + Shift + 5 to see the controls you need to capture images and record videos of your screen.

Shut down and restart

If your Mac freezes or your mouse or trackpad stops working, the only fix may be to force your Mac to shut down. Press Control + Option + Command + Eject to quit open programs and shut down your computer immediately. Or, if you want to quickly reboot your Mac, hit Control + Command + Eject.

These are just a few of the dozens of tips and shortcuts that will make using your Mac even easier. If you’d like to learn more or need other IT-related assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Published with permission from TechAdvisory.org. Source.

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