How the Technology Industry is (or is not) Affected by Inflation

a person typing on a laptop in front of a chart

Many economic analysts report that inflation is currently on the rise in the United States. Inflation is the rate of increases in prices over a certain period of time. Inflation is normally a broadened term, like the overall increase in the cost of living in a country, but it can also be calculated more specifically, such as the increase in goods and services. With inflation, the value of the dollar also decreases. 

Unfortunately, inflation continues to negatively impact businesses across all industries. Consumers are spending less money in order to save more, resulting in companies adapting to diminished sales and resources. Many companies have turned to incorporate various strategies that allow them to receive the most out of their investments. There are several ways to maintain a decent IT budget without spending too much. Continue reading to learn more.

Investments in Technology Can Overturn Inflation

Investment management and financial services company, Morgan Stanley, recently issued a list of deflation enablers. Deflation enablers are companies that assist organizations in reducing costs, improving productivity, and optimizing overall performance. Automation platforms, such as Appian, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and UiPath, allow companies to be more efficient by saving time and labor costs. Creating manual processes ultimately eliminates the need for people to perform them. Supply chain efficiency software, such as C3.ai, Palantir, and Snowflake, utilizes cloud-based data warehousing allowing its clients to consolidate all of their data which employees can access.

Working Together to Combat this Economic Issue

Incorporating the necessary resources effectively can help withstand inflation. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses have adopted the strategies of remote operations and downsizing of the company. Due to a large amount of money being spent on real estate, organizations consider reinvesting that money elsewhere within the company, such as in IT solutions and sales. 

As mentioned previously, many IT providers are mentioned in Morgan Stanley’s list of deflation enablers. This is because automation and cloud-based platforms reduce costs and relieve employees of menial tasks, allowing them to focus on other opportunities that improve the productivity of the company.

4 Corner IT can assist you and your company with all things automation-related. We also can assist you in getting the most out of your technology solutions in other ways. Our managed IT services will give you and your business the support needed to succeed in a competitive and fast-paced business environment. To learn more, please contact us today at 954.474.2204.

Contact Us Today!

Is ChromeOS Flex Right for Your Business?

the chrome logo is displayed on the back of a laptop

With a long-running business, your technology may not be up to date with the latest software or systems. Perhaps you have desktops collecting dust in a storage room or laptops that no longer run as fast as they used to. You might be thinking that these outdated devices are just taking up space but they can actually be transformed into something useful. Google launched a new operating system called ChromeOS Flex which may help old devices “come to life” again.

What is ChromeOS Flex?

ChromeOS Flex is a new and improved operating system developed by Google this past summer. Basically, it utilizes the same operating system as Chromebooks. Any user is able to use this browser-based operating system. Chromebooks are simplistic in the sense that they only support a web browser that contains cloud-based applications. In reality, many companies only need cloud-based apps to function in their daily work tasks. This is a practical way of turning outdated devices into something that can assist customers with their everyday operations.

Features

The highlighting features of ChromeOS Flex are its easy installation and price. ChromeOS Flex is free to download and can be deployed on any device, old or new. Users must have a USB drive or a corporate network to install the operating system.

ChromeOS Flex is easily managed using the Google Admin console through the Chrome Enterprise Upgrade. The dashboard can be utilized to manage applications and policies from anywhere. This option has an additional cost per user per month. 

ChromeOS Flex is better for business and the environment. It utilizes approximately 19% less energy consumption than other devices. By downloading ChromeOS Flex into existing devices, the amount of e-waste generated is greatly reduced.

From a security standpoint, ChromeOS Flex is very safe. The majority of malware attacks occur in the more commonly known operating systems like Windows and macOS. ChromeOS Flex provides protection from evolving threats such as ransomware, malware, and any possible employee errors.

Considering that ChromeOS Flex is basically a web browser, most people already know how to use it. This is a practical solution to enhance outdated devices without the addition of a difficult learning curve. ChromeOS Flex also runs background updates that reduce device downtime and improve overall productivity.

Can ChromeOS Flex Work for You and Your Business?

Is ChromeOS Flex the right operating system for your organization? The answer to that question is contingent on the solutions your business needs to be productive and efficient in day-to-day tasks. A company that relies solely on cloud-based applications will likely benefit from ChromeOS Flex. On the other hand, if your company depends on Windows, Mac, or other exclusive software, then ChromeOS Flex may not work for your business.

To determine if ChromeOS Flex is an appropriate choice for your business needs and operations, contact 4 Corner IT today at 954.474.2204. For any additional questions or to learn more about ChromeOS Flex and other technology solutions on the market, give us a call today.

Contact Us Today!

Tip: Switching Your Default Android Browser

android browser

The type of web browser you use has a great effect on your internet searching experience. You may prefer a specific browser for its aesthetics, navigation, privacy, or display. Or, perhaps you’re more comfortable using a certain browser that you have more experience with. 

Android devices offer Google Chrome as their default browser, but if you’re not a fan of Chrome, you can actually change the default browser to your preferred one. 

Changing your Android default browser is a quick and simple 3-step process. If you’re tech-savvy enough to navigate your phone’s settings and applications, you’ll have no trouble at all. Follow along to discover how easy it is to change your default browser on an Android device!

Step One: Select a Default Android Browser to Use

The first step to changing your Android default browser is determining which browser you’d like to use instead of Google Chrome. There are so many options for browsers available to you. Some of the most popular include Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari. We recommend using these browsers to test which one works best for you before making your final decision. 

Step Two: Install the Browser you’ve Chosen

To download the web browser you’ve chosen, go to the Android Market on your device’s home screen. Use the search tool to look up the browser and tap the correct result. 

Select the Free button, then tap OK to accept the application’s permissions. From there, the web browser will begin to download and install onto your device.

If you’re completing this process on a business device, be sure to consult your IT department before making any changes. They’ll want to make sure that the app you’re installing is secure and may have recommendations for new or better apps.

Step Three: Change the Settings on your Android

To change settings, you’ll first have to open your Android Settings application. This app is located in the tray at the top of your screen when you swipe down on your device. It looks like a gear icon. You can also find it on the application screen. Once you open the setting app, select:

Apps > Default Apps > Browser App Setting

Finally, select the browser application you want to use from the list provided. That’s it!

Step Four: Test Out You Default Android Browser

To be sure that it worked, open any link from your texts or emails. It should take you to your new default browser. If not, you may want to contact your IT department to assess the issue.

As always, we hope you’ve learned some valuable information. For more great technology user tips, subscribe to our blog!

How to Backup Data on your Android Device in 2022

phone services

Restoring data on Android device can be a lifesaver. It can be done directly from your phone to a Google account.  You need to know the proper steps to backup data in order to protect valuable information.   The data restoration process is different for various Android phones and versions.  

Let’s check out how phone data is stored: 

  • When backups are uploaded to Google servers, they are encrypted with the help of the password of the Google account. The phone screen lock password is ideally used to encrypt the data so that it can be backed up properly.  

The backup data is deleted in the following scenarios: 

  • When you do not use your device for 57 days. 
  • When you turn off the Android Backup. 

So, let’s learn step by step the procedure of the automatic restoration of the data on the Android device: 

Back up Content 

Back up photos and videos – Backing up the pictures and the videos involves the following ways: 

  • Installation Backup and Sync. 
  • Uploading photos from the browser 

Things to know when uploading photos: 

  • Whenever you delete a photo or video from the computer that was previously backed up to Google Photos, it will still be saved in Google Photos. 
  • When you remove the photo or video from Google Photos, it should be removed from Google drive or your computer itself. 
  • The uploads can be much slower as it uses more storage when backing up to Google Photos and Google Drive. 

First Step: Setting up of the Google Drive for Desktop:

  • Make sure to download and install Google Drive for the desktop on your computer. 
  • Then, you need to sign in to your Google Account. 
  • After, you need to click the folders or the pictures you wish to back up. 
  • Finally, click the Done button. 

Where is the data stored on the Android phone? 

All the applications consist of the default data directory. In the data directory, one can easily store the data. 

Where exactly is the data stored on the mobile phone? 

  • Random-access memory, also known as, RAM, is the phone’s central operating memory and storage. The phone stores the data in RAM, which is being used actively. 

How can one access data on the Android Phone? 

  • One can access the private files with the help of GUI: The Android Device Monitor from the menu includes the Tools/Android/ Android Device Monitor in the android system. Then you can easily navigate the File Explorer tab, the data, and the app package name. 

Command Line: You can also transfer the file to the device or pull the file from the device concerning the ADB. 

Add a backup account 

There are various steps involved in the addition of the backup account: 

  • First, open the phone settings applications, 
  • Then, tap the system 
  • Further, tap your back account and then add an account. 
  • If needed, enter the phone number, PIN, pattern, or password. 
  • Sign in to the account whenever you wish to add. 
  • Switch between backup accounts 
  • Manually back up data & settings 

Switch between backup accounts 

Let’s understand how to switch between the backup accounts: 

  • The first step is to open your phone’s setting application. 
  • Tap the backup account. 
  • Tap the back account you wish to use for backups.

What is the Manually backup data & settings? 

Manually back up data & settings 

It is possible that you can misplace the phone or drop it in the water and lose everything. But there are several ways to backup Android devices. It can be done manually. Whenever it is installed, it is required to make sure that the photos are automatically set up in the files. The steps to sync the images to Google photos are:

  • Open the Google photos app. 
  • Now press on the profile image in the top right corner. 
  • Tuned to select the photos settings. 
  • Move on to the Backup and sync. 
  • Also, make sure to upload the size and select the preferable upload settings. 

 By following these simple steps, one can easily store the data or keep a backup on an Android phone. Knowing how to backup and restore data will give you the peace of mind that you will always have access to important information. 

Contact Us Today and Check Out Our Blog!

Tip of the Week: Maintaining Software that Fits Your Business

update software

Businesses use different types of software to fulfill various tasks and functions throughout the workday. However, there are practices you can implement today that can help you with maintaining software solutions. Here are three ways your organization can take better care of its software infrastructure, regardless of industry or business size. 

Be Wary of Shadow IT 

If you don’t provide employees with the tools they need to do their jobs effectively, they may find tools themselves. This can lead to unregulated software on your infrastructure that is not monitored or maintained by your business. Otherwise known as “shadow IT.” The easiest way to prevent shadow IT from becoming a thing for your business is to make sure your staff have access to all of the solutions they need right from the get-go. This might mean providing them with an entire productivity suite or specialized software based on their role within your organization. 

Appropriately Manage Subscriptions 

In today’s age of “as a service” offerings, it’s easy to purchase a solution for one project. Then forget to cancel it when the project is done and over with. These additional subscriptions that are entirely unnecessary can add up if you aren’t paying attention. We recommend that you perform an audit regularly. This will ensure that you aren’t paying for services that are not being used on a regular basis. 

Maintaining Software Patches and Security Updates 

Software developers frequently have to issue patches and security updates to their creations to offset the progress made by hackers or to cover up oversights during the initial development cycle. It’s your responsibility to make sure any patches or updates are applied in a timely manner; failing to do so could put your business at risk of security issues down the road.  

One way many businesses have managed to successfully keep tabs on their software infrastructure is to implement Software-as-a-Service offerings for the majority of their operations. SaaS helps businesses by providing them with an affordable and scalable infrastructure for their software needs, including an easy way to manage licenses and subscriptions. We also recommend you implement a software management platform that gives you the ability to see, at a glance, all of the applications in use on your infrastructure at any given moment. 

4 Corner IT can help your organization implement any SaaS offering or software management platform. To learn more about what we can do for your business, reach out to us at 954-474-2204. 

Contact Us Today!