Tip of the Week: Show Changes in Excel

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Collaboration is a crucial part of the workplace, and with the advent of cloud-based solutions and the collaboration functionality they provide, more developers are striving to include such features in their desktop versions as well. Microsoft Excel allows you to see certain changes made to a spreadsheet over a period of time.

What Edits Can You See?

Excel gives you the ability to see changes made to cells and formulas for up to 60 days, including the moving, sorting, inserting, and deleting of cells or data. Unfortunately, you cannot see changes made to things like formatting, hidden cells, filtering, deleted locations, objects, charts, shapes, and pivot table operations.

How Can You See the Edits?

The functionality we’ll be using today is the Show Changes feature. To get started, open up your Excel document and navigate to the Review tab, where you will see the Changes section of the ribbon. Click on the Show Changes button to see a pane open on the right side of the screen showcasing all of the changes made to this document.

In the change section, you will see the sheet, item, and cell that was edited. From here, you just click on the cell number to see what specifically was changed. These appear as highlighted sections on your spreadsheet.

Pretty handy stuff, right? With this tip, you’ll always be able to check which parts of your spreadsheet were edited… so long as it has been within 60 days, anyway.

What are your thoughts on this feature? Be sure to get a hold of us at PHONENUMBER if you ever have any questions about your technology.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/tip-of-the-week-show-changes-in-excel/

Check Links Before You Get Yourself in Trouble with these Link-Checking Tools

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

It’s all well and good for us to recommend that you avoid phishing attacks and infected attachments simply by not clicking on the links in emails and other popular vectors of attacks, but the fact of the matter is that you might need to click on one at some point. In this case, it’s best to check the link before clicking it, and we’re here to offer tools to help you do so.

What Harm Could Happen?

There are plenty of reasons not to trust a link, but it hurts extra to be scrutinizing over a link that someone close sends you. Even if it seems innocent enough, there is always the threat that the sender has been compromised. It’s generally best practice to get secondary confirmation from the sender that the link is safe to open. If you cannot verify the identity of the one who sent the email through a secondary measure, then you must treat the message with more suspicion.

It’s important to do this in the business setting, too. You never know what kind of tomfoolery your coworkers or colleagues are up to that might lead them to getting compromised in some way. If they fall for it, then so can you. If they get infected by malware, it could replicate and spread quickly, and before you know it, you’re not the only new victim; everyone in your contacts or beyond could become one, too.

Safely Identify and Copy a Link

First, let’s establish what we mean when we say “link.” A link is any text or graphic that is clickable and redirects you to another page in your browser. The link might be written out with https:// and the full URL, but it might be shortened or embedded into the text itself.

For example, if it is a link to PayPal, it might look something like this:
https://www.paypal.com/us/smarthelp/PAYPAL_HELP_GUIDE/getting-started-with-paypal-icf29

Or the link could also look something like this: Get Started with PayPal

Of course, if you’re paying attention, then you should have realized that neither of those links above go directly to PayPal. They instead take you to a Whoopee cushion on Amazon. Surprise! This should prove that it can be remarkably easy to trick someone into going to a different web page than the one addressed in the text or images.

Suffice it to say, if the link is embedded in a graphic, button, icon, picture, or otherwise, it can be easy to spoof. To prove it’s secure, you need the URL itself. You can get this by doing the following:

On a Desktop or Laptop:
-Hover the mouse over the link.
-Right-click on the link.
-Select “Copy Link” or “Copy Link Address” or “Copy Hyperlink”

Now you have the link copied, and you can paste it into one of the following tools with CTRL+V (or right-click and select Paste)

On a Tablet or Smartphone:
-Be careful not to accidentally just tap the link to open it!
-Hold your finger over the link for a few seconds to pop up the context menu.
-Select “Copy Link” or “Copy link address” or “Copy Hyperlink”

Now that you have the link copied, you can paste it into one of the following tools by holding your finger down over the URL field within the tool and selecting Paste.

Tools to Check a Link Before Clicking On It

If you want to check the legitimacy of a link, you can do so by using the tools below. They won’t save you from every single scam out there, but they can give you an idea of if the link exposes you to known threats. You can also cross-reference using multiple tools.

Norton Safe Web
Norton Safe Web provides a free online tool you can use to check a link. It will provide a rating for how safe it might be. If Norton thinks the link is dangerous, it probably is, but if the link is untested by Norton, redirect your testing practices elsewhere: https://safeweb.norton.com/

PhishTank
PhishTank is a site that tells you if a link has been reported as a phishing scam. Because phishing links are designed to look quite similar to legitimate web pages, you can imagine that it gets a little problematic. For example, a phishing URL might use a page that looks just like the PayPal login page. You can access PhishTank here: https://www.phishtank.com/

Google’s Transparency Report
Google’s search engine is constantly crawling the Internet and indexing pages. If it finds malicious entities or phishing risks, it properly documents them in its transparency report. You can use this tool to identify if there is a risk associated with the provided link. Access the transparency report here: https://transparencyreport.google.com/safe-browsing/search

Scan the Link with VirusTotal
The VirusTotal scanning tool is also helpful as a last-ditch effort to look at the legitimacy of a link. You can access this tool here: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/url

Of course, it’s also possible that an unknown phishing scam or malware could make their way past these tools. They are only specifically designed to address known threats, so if you have any doubts or suspicions, you should always err on the side of caution.

If you ever need to check a link or you want to know that a message is authentic, you can always ask the security professionals at COMPANYNAME. To learn more, give us a call at PHONENUMBER.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/check-links-before-you-get-yourself-in-trouble-with-these-link-checking-tools/

Keys to Boosting Your Staff’s Morale

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

No matter how dedicated some of your employees might be, you will always have the others who are simply in it for the paycheck rather than a desire to be personally connected to the business. If there is too much of a disconnect between the way you see the business and the way your employees see the business, morale and productivity could take a drop.

It pays to keep your employees engaged in the work they do, literally. If you factor in the costs of the recruitment and onboarding process, you’ll see that it is easier to retain top talent than to find it again and again. To help you with this process, consider some of the following strategies—even if they are remote employees.

Encourage an Appropriate Work/Life Balance

People have to work for your business to operate, but they don’t exist to work for your business; it’s just one of the many parts of their lives, and you need to make sure that they know this. To keep your employees from getting burned out from their work, consider implementing some of the policies below:

• Value productivity over time: Sometimes managers will see productivity in the form of time spent rather than the amount of work done. This isn’t the correct approach, and it can be counterproductive to mental health and longevity.
• Encourage breaks: It’s helpful if you encourage your staff to take breaks when they feel worn down and need one. Besides, you know they are going to take breaks whether you tell them to or not, so the more you can make it an accepted practice, the better it will be for the employee.
• Provide paid time off: If you can offer considerable paid time off for your staff, you’ll be giving your team more time to take vacations, spend time with family, and better manage their lives outside the workplace. Doing so will make them more effective in the workplace, too.

Gamify the Workplace

Turning the average workday into a sort-of “game” through gamification can do wonders for morale, particularly with the younger generation of workers. One way to do it is to apply a points system for your team to divvy out prizes and other additional benefits, leading people to get a little competitive and perform to their best ability. Here are three benefits to gamification in the workplace:

Engagement Increases

Boosting morale also means boosting engagement, and a little healthy competition can inspire people to work harder and in a more engaged way.

Recognition Goes a Long Way

It’s easy to take your workers for granted, but with gamification, they get more recognition for performing at a higher level. It’s a built-in recognition system, essentially, and gamification can help you recognize top performers and rising stars alike to keep the passion for their work alive.

Efficiency is Better

When prizes and recognition are involved, people tend to work more efficiently to produce better results. This kind of growth is good in the long term because your team will learn strategies and practices that can translate into other areas of their work, leading to better business performance across the board.

You Could Try Paying Better, Too

It’s tough, but pay can make all the difference for your employees—particularly the ones who don’t necessarily get personal satisfaction from their work and are strictly in it for the paycheck. It can save you from going through a costly and time-consuming search for their replacement, at any rate.

COMPANYNAME can help your business implement technologies that will aid you in boosting morale. To learn more about what we can do to promote growth and efficiency for your business, contact us at PHONENUMBER.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/keys-to-boosting-your-staffs-morale/

Hardware Maintenance and the Key Role it Plays In Operations

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Without computers, today’s world would be unrecognizable. Someone rarely goes for more than a few days without using a computer for anything. We can use our devices for simple action like paying bills or something fun like playing a game or browsing the internet.

Computers are an absolute necessity for the vast majority of workers in today’s workforce. Maintaining our computers regularly ensures their continued usefulness in our everyday lives. Five key points can be made in support of routine computer servicing:

1. Speedy Problem Diagnosis

Since it is common knowledge that computers are notorious for their unpredictable behavior, even minor issues have a way of ballooning into major ones. However, if you have your laptop serviced often, you can prevent minor problems from becoming expensive catastrophes.

Even with a brand-new computer, minor problems might occur. Catching these problems early through routine maintenance will save you a lot of time, money and effort in the long run.

2. Safeguards Against Malicious Software and Viruses

No matter how often we disinfect or scan our devices, harmful viruses can still infiltrate them. New malicious programs and viruses are constantly being developed, and there seems to be no end to this epidemic. Some can infect an entire OS, while others are created solely to be a constant nuisance by slowing down the infected computer or displaying intrusive pop-up notifications.

Repairing the damage caused by such an event can be costly, in addition, there may be other costs associated with the incident, such as a loss in productivity.

If you keep up with your computer’s routine maintenance, you can reduce the likelihood of viruses and other malicious software affecting your system and keep it running smoothly.Also, making sure your antivirus software is up-to-date and adequately functional by doing regular system maintenance is a must.

3. Upgrade Your Computer’s Speed to the Latest Version

A computer with a low processing speed is one of the most frustrating things that can happen to you. But as it is very clear from experience, the more and more files are stored on our computers, the more unorganized and fragmented everything inevitably becomes.

As a result, processing time is increased. Having your computer run through a battery of speed and optimization tests done by a professional will help identify and fix any performance issues you may be having. It also ensures your computer continues to operate at optimum efficiency.

4. Boost the Utility of the Program in General

The older your software is, the more likely it is that your computer will progressively lose speed. Your computer will eventually adjust to this new behavior, as it is happening gradually.

However, if you perform routine computer maintenance, you can quickly resolve any problems and restore standard application functionality.

5. Prevents Data Corruption

Although data loss is relatively uncommon, it can have far-reaching consequences when it does occur. Your data could be lost if you need to restart your computer because it performs more slowly than usual or is randomly freezing.

Regular computer maintenance can reduce the chances of such occurrences and ensure that your data will always be intact when needed.

Conclusion

Just like an insurance policy, the value of reliable hardware support may not become apparent until it is no longer an option. Rest easy knowing a solid maintenance contract covers your hardware.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/hardware-maintenance-and-the-key-role-it-plays-in-operations/

Project Management is an IT Issue

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Any project manager will tell you that there are countless issues that can get in the way of a successful implementation. To nobody’s surprise, business technology can aid project management by streamlining operations and making the entire process much easier for everyone involved. We’ll dig into the details about how project management software and value-based managed IT services can help you complete projects on-time and on-budget.

First, we’ll tackle how managed IT can provide value for your project completion efforts, and then we’ll dig into the details of how project management specifically can help.

Managed IT for Project Management

Imagine trying to work on a project, but you can’t get any work done because your technology solutions just keep experiencing hiccups and other inefficiencies. This is more common than you’d think. If an employee starts having trouble with Word right in the middle of a project that demands text, this could severely impede progress. The same could be said if your network access were to fail and you are no longer able to access important files and assets.

Managed IT helps companies stay focused on project management by keeping networks maintained and managed. This means that instead of worrying about whether or not you’ll be able to do your job, you’ll instead be able to just do the job. With a managed service provider like COMPANYNAME managing your IT from behind the scenes, you’ll be able to focus time and resources where they really matter—on initiatives to make your organization more money and improve its bottom line.

Project Management Software

Of course, project management is much more than just making sure your technology is working properly. There are countless moving parts in any implementation process, including the staff who make everything happen, the resources they need for the project, and information from clients or vendors that needs to be managed and shared throughout the project management team. Somehow, project managers have to connect all the dots and make sure the implementation goes off without a hitch, but this is easier said than done.

Project management software, which today often comes in the form of true collaboration apps,  provides a single point of access for all of the resources needed to complete a project. They include a communication hub for employees and team members to stay connected about the many moving parts of a project, as well as project managers to see progress being made. This all helps to keep projects on-time and on-budget. Furthermore, this helps to make sure projects are handled properly the first time, as spending more time than necessary on a project can cut into your bottom line.

Does your business need help with its project management? COMPANYNAME can help your organization stay on track during the implementation of new solutions or services. To learn more, reach out to us at PHONENUMBER.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/project-management-is-an-it-issue/

Common Image Types and How They Are Used

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

You will find dozens of different file formats on your computer, but for images, you may not know how to tell the difference. In order to know how an image is used, you need to understand what type of file it is. This month, we’ll go through some of the different types of images and what people use them for. 

The way images work isn’t really something that most people really understand. They can be split into two major categories: vector images and raster images. A vector image can be stretched, resized, or altered without too much sacrifice to image quality. Raster images on the other hand are constructed out of pixels, which have static properties. These images are not easily resized without major degradation to the image. 

Let’s go through some of the most common image extensions you probably have on your PC or smartphone.

PNG

Portable Network Graphics are low resolution images that are typically used in web graphics. They have a transparent background and can be edited and resized without losing a lot of image quality. You can’t enlarge them very well, but you can reduce their size.

JPG or JPEG

The Joint Photographic Experts Group image, or JPEG (JPG), in contrast with the PNG, tends to show substantial degradation when a user alters the file size. This is the most common format for images on the web and most digital cameras save photos as JPGs. 

GIF

The GIF, which you know about if you use social media or instant messaging, is one of the most versatile of the image formats. Short for Graphic Interchange Format (GIF), users like GIFs because they are often seen as the most used animated images. The GIF is made up of only 256 colors, so their image quality is always pretty low, but since they can take short clips and not static images at a low resolution and in a relatively low file size, they are great for sharing on the web. 

Users should consider the resolution of the images that they use/save to ensure that they fit within the application that they are trying to use them in. Lower resolution images are much better for personal messaging, but if you are looking to print out an image, the higher the resolution the better. 

Images are a big part of how we express ourselves, especially online. If you would like to learn more about the technology that you use every day, keep your eyes peeled for our monthly newsletter.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/common-image-types-and-how-they-are-used/

Make Sure You Avoid this Malware-Spreading Version of WhatsApp

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

As one of the world’s most popular messaging applications, WhatsApp is a well-known tool, even in the business world. More notable is that WhatsApp—a platform known for its end-to-end encryption and security—now has a modified and unofficial version called YoWhatsApp, which has been deploying malware to unsuspecting users.

What is YoWhatsApp?

YoWhatsApp is an unofficial version of WhatsApp that can be downloaded and installed on a mobile device. The developers have touted the ability to lock chats, send messages to unsaved numbers, and customize the app with themes. It should be noted that this is just one of many unofficial WhatsApp versions out there that have similar features to this.

Enhanced versions of messaging platforms are not a new concept, either. Think back to the early 2000s when AOL Instant Messenger was popular; there were plenty of tools out there that allowed users to remove ads, remain anonymous, or add new features. These kinds of tools also came with an added security risk, with some containing malware or other threats.

YoWhatsApp is just another symptom of this long-standing problem.

What Risks Are Associated with this Unofficial Version of WhatsApp?

The Kaspersky Report detailing the risks of using YoWhatsApp found that it distributes Android malware called the Triada Trojan. This malware was also discovered on FMWhatsApp, another modified version of the application.

Triada can control your SMS messages, enroll you in paid subscriptions without your consent or knowledge, impersonate you, and send spam or other malicious content to contacts. This creates a vicious cycle that spreads the threats continuously.

As far as we know, WhatsApp itself is a safe application, but the third-party versions should not be considered to have the same level of security.

Know What You Install

Even though third-party “enhanced” versions of software are not new, you shouldn’t use them if you can help it, as they are often not as secure or supported as the official versions of the software. For example, if someone made a knock-off version of Microsoft Office and a critical security flaw was found in the official version, Microsoft can be counted on to patch it, whereas the third-party application could potentially go unpatched. Plus, if a hacker wants to steal money or infect user devices, it’s relatively easy for them to create a “better” version of a popular app, then use it to take advantage of unsuspecting users.

You should always know what you’re installing on your devices, be they mobile devices or your workstations. COMPANYNAME can help you keep your devices secure and safe. To learn more, contact us today at PHONENUMBER.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/make-sure-you-avoid-this-malware-spreading-version-of-whatsapp/

Tip of the Week: Reopening Tabs and Windows in Chrome

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

How often do you find yourself closing tabs or windows, then immediately regretting it? This can get in the way of productivity, and while it might not be downtime, it is certainly an annoyance having to relocate whatever it is you just closed. Web browsers thankfully have functionality that allows you to completely eliminate this inconvenience.

Reopen a Closed Tab in Chrome

We’re using Chrome for these examples, but the principle works largely the same for the other web browsers, practically right down to the keyboard shortcuts.

Close out of one of your tabs on your web browser. It doesn’t really matter what it is—we’ll help you get back to it (just make sure you weren’t working on a form or something that wouldn’t save). After you have closed the tab or window, you can right-click the Plus icon as if you were opening a new tab. Then you can use the Reopen Closed Tab option to reopen the last closed tab. This works multiple times.

The keyboard shortcut for this little trick is Ctrl + Shift + T.

Reopen a Closed Window in Chrome

It’s also easy to reopen a closed window in Chrome. All you need to do is open a new window for this test, then close it by clicking on the X button. To get back to browsing in this window, you right-click the tab bar at the top of the screen. If the last thing you closed was a window, you’ll see Reopen Closed Window in the place of the Reopen Closed Tab option. If you click it, you’ll see the window reappear.

The keyboard shortcut for this trick is also easy: Ctrl + Shift + W.

Hopefully you can use these little tricks to be a bit more productive with your workday!

For more great tips, be sure to contact us and ask our technicians.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/tip-of-the-week-reopening-tabs-and-windows-in-chrome/

Farewell, Microsoft Office…Hello Microsoft 365!

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Microsoft’s initiative to rebrand Microsoft Office is reaching the final stage of its journey—a plan that has been years in the making. What will this assimilation into the Microsoft 365 brand mean for users of Microsoft’s services and products?

The Rebrand Has Been Planned and Worked Toward for Some Time

Over the past several years, Microsoft has made clear and deliberate attempts to showcase Microsoft 365 as their go-to solution for businesses. Now, it seems like the time has come for the Office branding to disappear entirely as it’s absorbed into Microsoft 365.

But what does this mean for businesses like yours?

Microsoft Says Minimal Impacts for Business and New Features

The webpage dedicated to these new adjustments makes a point to address business concerns that it would impact operations by saying that its impacts will be minimal. It also highlights new features and options that businesses might find helpful, as well as some cosmetic changes to reflect the change in brand. Here are some of the options:

• New templates to make content creation easier and faster
• Tagging capabilities to help organize content
• A new Apps module to help you prioritize your most-used tools
• A new feed to deliver relevant content to you based on what you work on, and with whom.

What Should You Do to Prepare?

Here’s the exciting thing; you don’t have to lift a finger in response to this change. Microsoft is pushing an automatic update to the application for the icon and name later this month, and your existing account, profile, subscription, and files will not be affected in any way. Really, we just want to draw attention to it so that you don’t think it’s odd or out of place when the change occurs, seeing how odd and out-of-place things can often mean problems for technology. Of course, we’ll ALL probably keep calling it Microsoft Office for the next 30-some years.

You can bet that COMPANYNAME will still be here to help you make the transition as painless as possible. To learn more about how we can support you throughout any and all changes to your technology, reach out to us today at PHONENUMBER.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/farewell-microsoft-officehello-microsoft-365/

3 Statistics to Help Shape Your Business’ Cybersecurity

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

We know it’s not pleasant to think about your organization succumbing to a cybersecurity attack, but it’s a very realistic event that you have to be prepared for. Let’s take a look at the statistics and how exactly they are not in your business’ favor.

It helps to start with some practical numbers that will make you see that not even small and medium-sized businesses are immune.

61% of Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Experienced a Cyberattack Last Year

According to the Verizon 2022 Data Breach Investigations Report, the majority of SMBs experienced a cyberattack last year, and the worst part is that many of them could have been prevented with some proactive measures.

Businesses cannot rely on their size to keep themselves safe. Most cyberattacks are automated, so they aren’t going to discriminate against a small or large business. All they want is a target, and if you let your guard down, then you’re sure to find yourself one.

Eight out of Ten Breaches Feature Human Involvement?

This number also comes from the Verizon DBIR. It’s overwhelmingly likely that the people within your organization will be the most dangerous threat to your organization. In most cases, it’s completely unintentional, too.

Unfortunately, the criminals know and understand that this is the weak point for most businesses. After all, it’s easier to fool a person than a computer, and it’s easier to make a vulnerability than to find a preexisting one. You and the rest of your employees need to understand this important point so you can put together an adequate defense.

The Majority of Businesses Anticipate Being Breached at Some Point, or Already Have Been

90% of cybersecurity professionals in businesses are operating under the assumption that they will or already have become victims of a data breach. While this might seem terribly negative, this mindset leads them to make better decisions regarding cybersecurity. Furthermore, they have a better understanding of what can go wrong with cybersecurity and how to correct it.

The Statistics Don’t Lie, so Keep Yourself from Becoming a Part of Them

Don’t let your business fall victim to cybersecurity threats. To learn more about how we can help your business prevent this, be sure to contact us at PHONENUMBER.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/3-statistics-to-help-shape-your-business-cybersecurity/

Reasons Every Business Needs a Data Recovery and Backup Plan

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Data can seem like a treasure trove of information. You’ve probably heard horror stories about data loss and may have experienced the panic firsthand. These stories are often resolved by restoring an old backup, but only if it’s been kept up-to-date. If there’s anything worse than running out of important files and systems, it’s without them altogether, at least for an indeterminate amount of time.

Take a moment to discover why every business needs a data recovery and backup plan:

Easier to Use for Insurance Purposes

With the number of data breaches occurring now, many companies are seeing their insurance premiums rise. For this reason, it’s integral to make sure that you have a data recovery and backup plan in place, even if it is only said plan as a fallback in case you need it. And having this plan will also help protect your business from being sued and having no way to fight back.

Invaluable Information

If your business deals with valuable information and data, there’s no doubt that you need to have a proper means of backing up the data. Whether you’re a small, medium, or large business, prioritizing backups is absolutely necessary. Handling customers sensitive information with extreme security is crucial to protecting your clients as well as maintaining your reputation.

Keeping Data Safe When Disaster Happens

If your business relies on digital tools, applications and data, then you need a robust backup and disaster recovery plan. Losing access to any of these elements can grind your operations to a halt, so it’s crucial to have a plan in place to restore them quickly in the event of a disaster. This could be something as simple as a power outage or cyberattack, or a more serious natural disaster like floods or fires.

It Can Be a Nightmare for Small Businesses

Anything critical to your company’s operations needs to be backed up. Small businesses often have very little staff, so they don’t have someone who can run around protecting their data like a well-funded company. If something happens and data is lost, you guessed it, the business will suffer. If they don’t have the resources or the backup infrastructure that larger companies do.

Keeping your Downtime to a Minimum

We’ve talked about how important it is to recover your data when needed, but what if the issue can be fixed faster than that? The problem will usually take a while, no matter what, but by having a backup plan in place, you’ll be able to resolve the issue quicker. For example, if an outdated piece of software on your main servers causes some sort of malfunction, it will take time for the new software to be installed. But if you already have copies of the data that can be installed in a jiffy, then it will only take a short amount of time compared to how long it would take if you had nothing set up.

Conclusion

Businesses face a difficult balancing act when it comes to allocating their IT budgets and time. On one hand, they need to ensure that data workloads and applications are accessible at all times. On the other hand, they need to be prepared for any potential disasters that could disrupt access to this crucial information. The right company specializing in Disaster Recovery can provide comprehensive protection services for your data that ensure your business has secure access to mission-critical data, applications, and workloads under every circumstance.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/reasons-every-business-needs-a-data-recovery-and-backup-plan/

Some Microsoft Tools will Soon Feature AI Capabilities

https://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png

Artificial intelligence has become a popular topic to discuss in the business world, and like just about any current technology trend, you know Microsoft has to hop on the bandwagon with its own solution. Microsoft’s new AI-powered image generation tools will be integrated into many of their applications moving forward.

How AI-Generated Images Can Improve Microsoft Tools

Anyone who has created something from nothing knows that the most stressful part of the process is getting started. If there’s already something on the page, however, suddenly things become a lot easier and less of a struggle.

One example is the new Microsoft Designer application. It uses AI to give users the ability to provide a description of what they need to DALL-E 2 AI. The image generation platform will then generate images based off of the user’s input. This feature was originally built into Microsoft PowerPoint, but it was useful enough to warrant its own standalone application.

There are plans to implement Designer into Edge and Bing as well to give users more ways to create social media posts and custom images.

There Are Some Hangups, Though

This type of technology has plenty of applications, but there are some issues that will need to be considered, both in existing software and in fresh new ones like Designer.

The idea of AI-generated images is in itself a controversy due to the way these image synthesis models work. They take millions of images from the Internet, many of which are protected by copyright laws, then create images inspired from them. The AI platform is (naturally) not asking for permissions to use each and every one of these images, and it certainly isn’t referencing the authors for their work either.

The other problem is that the Internet is the Internet, and thus the DALL-E 2 could potentially be using images that are less-than-savory or unwholesome in nature. It might just be pulling images with social biases, inappropriate material, or other controversial content that could be involved with the generation process and, by extension, Microsoft’s integration with its tools.

On that topic, however, Microsoft has been quite transparent, referencing a partnership with OpenAI to ensure safeguards are in place to address any potential concerns. It’s also worth mentioning that they are not rushing this process; they are taking their time and ensuring it is done correctly.

What Are Your Thoughts?

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this technology, but more than that, we’d love to know how we can help your business implement new technology to best serve your company. To learn more, call us today at PHONENUMBER.

from: https://reciprocaltech.com/blog/some-microsoft-tools-will-soon-feature-ai-capabilities/