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Avoiding Heat Buildup in the Server Room

Avoiding Heat Buildup in the Server Room

Servers generate a lot of heat. In fact, without a cooling system in place, closed server rooms can exceed 90F in temperature, which can damage the servers’ sensitive components and reduce their expected lifespan, according to experts. Many server rooms, when examined, are found to be between 78F and 82F, which can have negative long-term impact.

Ideally, server rooms should be between 60F and 70F for best performance and outcomes. Some models may have a broader range of tolerable temperatures; however, this range is considered standard for many modern servers.

Maintaining this cool environment can be challenging, especially in buildings with poorly functioning cooling systems or those that lack appropriately zoned HVAC. Afterall, keeping an office at 60F would be uncomfortable for many workers and quite expensive during the summer.

Fans are not always enough in warmer climates and can be loud and disruptive. They can also promote the growth of mold and the spread of particulate and allergens, creating an environment that is unhealthy for servers and humans alike.

A more practical solution is using a portable air conditioning unit to cool the server room. This maintains the necessary temperatures in a targeted, cost-effective way without impacting the environment outside the room. Spot cooling in this way can also help prevent mold, which can grow easily in a warm environment.

Maintaining proper temperatures in the server room is an important part of managing technology, but too frequently neglected. It is important to find a cooling solution that works for your server room and to have a back-up plan in case of failure.

How Ergonomic Furniture Can Boost Performance in a Command Center

How Ergonomic Furniture Can Boost Performance in a Command Center

Summary: Keeping your employees comfortable and supported can actually increase productivity levels.

Each piece of control room furniture serves its purpose in some shape or form. For instance, the video wall displays assist specialists in monitoring everything that’s require for the company to stay alert. The design of the command center plays a role in keeping everything in a specific pattern so it’s easy to navigate and communicate amongst everyone within the room. However, one of the most neglected aspects of control room furniture is the ergonomic factor.

Every specialist that works within a command center must be alert at all times in the case of a security risk or a breach. As a team, they need to be able to communicate effectively and focus merely on the task at hand without any distractions.

The Benefits

Having an ergonomic setup for each specialist will now only allow each person to work more efficiently, but they’ll also be more comfortable while doing their job. Now, you might be asking why this is important? First off, someone that’s uncomfortable – whether it’s soreness from a shoddy chair or pain from an awkward typing position – will underperform. This not only impacts the speed at which the person works, but it also affects your company as a whole.

It’s recommended that when you start a command center from scratch – or even alter your current one – that you consider utilizing ergonomic furniture as it’ll provide an immense amount of benefits for you and your employees. After paying so much money to create a quality setup from companies like Constant Technologies, Inc. or some other major contractor, the least you could do is provide your employees with an environment that they can work comfortably in.

The technology behind goalkeeper gloves

The technology behind goalkeeper gloves

Summary: Just like other aspects of the sport, soccer goalkeeper gloves have their share of modern technology. The fingertips, flexibility, impact absorption, finger protection, and thumb flexibility are just a few of those areas.

Soccer is one of many sports that sees improvements to almost every aspect of the game through technology, without changing the actual rules or standard of the game. In soccer, there are dramatic improvements in players clothing, shoes, and training. Goalkeeper gloves also see dramatic improvements thanks to advances in fabric and material technology. Here are some examples of how the goalkeeper’s gloves improved over time:

Fingertips

Using modern materials, manufacturers use expanded fingertips to improve the latex-to-ball ratio. Doing so increases the contact area and provides better control of the ball for the goalkeeper.

Flexibility

One of the key limitations of a glove is the lack of flexibility. Modern gloves use inserts that provide improvements in flexibility in all four directions without compromising the durability and protection of the glove.

Impact

When a goalkeeper defends against a strike, there is a lot of impact that the glove/hand has to absorb. New gloves use advanced protection to provide more safety while giving as much impact absorption as possible.

Finger protection

One of the biggest areas of injury risk is the fingers. A lot of effort and attention has gone into improving finger protection in modern gloves. Using inserts that adapt to the shape of the fingers, the player can still maintain flexibility while making it impossible for the fingers to bend backward.

Thumb

A lot of work goes into improving the protection of the thumb. It is the one area that does not have other supporting elements to prevent injury. Inserts protect the thumb as much as possible while the seam between the thumb and index fingers providing flexibility.

Written by Soccer Garage. Every single piece of your soccer kit is available in their online store at great prices. Whether you are looking for the latest cleats, balls, or goalkeeper gloves, everything you need is one click away.

Top Ways to Reduce Chargebacks for Your Business

Top Ways to Reduce Chargebacks for Your Business

Summary: Chargebacks aren’t just bad for business, it can also jeopardize your merchant account.

Chargebacks occur with nearly every business. Every transaction businesses process, they will usually pay a penalty for these chargebacks. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, a chargeback refers to a dispute between the credit card company and the consumer. With too many of these, a business’s account could be revoked or be placed in a “high risk” category – which will indefinitely hurt your business. This guide is focused on how you can reduce chargebacks so you avoid falling into this pithole.

Your Policies Should be in “Fine Print”

Major retailers will print out their return statements on the back of their receipt due to the fact that customers will need to understand the policy information. Remember, not ever business has this options, so it’s crucial that you create a separate page on your website that tells the consumer every detail. Also, remind your employees to always inform the customer about the return policy.

Analyzing Refunds

Ask any business owner about refunds and their first thought will likely be that it’s detrimental to the overall sales. Unfortunately, refunds are unavoidable. But, refunds on the other hand, can be good for your business due to the fact that it avoids chargebacks. Remember, if you choose not to refund a customer, and the customer decides to dispute the charge, you’re facing a mark on your merchant account – along with losing a customer.

Always Verify One’s Identity.

Ask your customers to present a valid ID for any transaction involving a credit card. Be sure that you take a close look at the CVV or CVV2 code prior to completing the purchase. Depending on your business, decide whether or not you want to perform this periodically or with every customer.

 

How Programmers Fit In the Aviation Industry

How Programmers Fit In the Aviation Industry

Summary: The aviation industry hosts thousands of programmers that play a pivotal role in the overall efficiency of operations.

Programmers have solidified their place as vital members of the aviation industry.

Programming in a Versatile Setting

Now, software is required at nearly every level of aviation and airlines. For one, you have the air traffic control and remote control level of software that programmers need to continuously keep an eye on in terms of maintenance and efficiency. Additionally you have things like crew planning, equipment assignment, qualification maintenance, load planning, ACARS support, employee portal management, human resources, and much more. Larger companies tend to utilize ITs and programmers to create their software in-house, while others opt for companies that specialize in aviation software.

Whether it’s creating a program that calculates how many 28 volt battery pack systems there are coming and going through transit, or simply taking a backseat approach and catering to developing employee payment and time systems, there are endless opportunities present for today’s programmers.

For instance, say you’re conducting an inventory check to determine what products are coming in as opposed to other aviation maintenance equipment companies. By developing an automated in-house software that automatically deduces where these deliveries are coming from, the team can work in cohesion by leaving a “paper trail” in the case that pieces need to be returned or sent out for calibration.

The Bottom Line

The aviation industry provides a bountiful assortment of opportunities for both ITs and programmers. With technology playing a crucial role, programmers need to stay on top of the latest in both aviation protocols and computing.

How to Effectively Stay Safe from Identity Theft

How to Effectively Stay Safe from Identity Theft

Summary: Identity theft is a serious issue that continues to plague the United States. Be sure to always remain vigilant.

While you might not think it’ll ever happen to you, the truth of the matter is, identity theft can happen to anyone. It’s a serious issue in today’s society and continues to occur on a daily basis. It’s been said over 8 million Americans have their identity stolen each year. No, not in total, but every single year. Could you be next?

Here are some tips that will greatly decrease the chances of becoming an identity theft victim.

Taking Preventative Measures

No, it’s likely you don’t have access to some technologically advance NOC design or a command center that’s watching your back 24/7. You basically do not have too many options when it comes to protecting your identity. Criminals in this day and age are getting smarter and more proficient when it comes to theft. You’ll need to take preventative measures to ensure that you stay one step ahead of these dangerous individuals.

Don’t Be Careless With Your Social Security Information

For one, you’ll always want to protect your social security number. Don’t carelessly walk around with your social security card in your wallet or purse – you’re basically asking to be robbed. If your social security number is listed on your driver’s license, health insurance card, or any other document that you carry around, request to have it reissued.

Be sure to always look over your bills and credit card statements and see if everything lines up with your purchases. If something looks odd or you’re finding charges that aren’t yours, contact your provider immediately. It also helps not to be careless with your credit or debit card either, but things happen. The professionals believe that keeping a close eye on every financial aspect on a regular basis is an efficient way to monitor identity theft.

How Artificial Intelligence Has Driven Manufacturing Companies to New Heights

How Artificial Intelligence Has Driven Manufacturing Companies to New Heights

Summary: The importance of implementing AI into manufacturing has significantly increased throughout the years.

Since the early 1900s, manufacturing has come a long, long way. From the unproven rows of worker drones to the industrial robot, signs of slowing down are unlikely to occur.

These creations didn’t come without a cost however. The early models of bots were only able to perform a single mindless task without any room for versatility. It wasn’t until the next stages of the automation breakthrough – the utilization of artificial intelligence – were these machines able to make logical decisions in real time.

Implementing Change

The fact that these real-time decisions were playing such a unique and significant role in society has only inspired others to continue this tradition and further enhance the AI system. This approach is becoming more and more prioritized as industries lean towards reducing costs but also keeping stock on an as-needed basis. Manufacturing companies and their supplies need to keep up with the high demand.

The Sky’s the Limit

Applying artificial intelligence to the manufacturing industry requires numerous technologies and process innovations. One of the most efficient forms of integration comes from the smart factory, which is basically a networked factory in which data from supply chains, production lines, and so on, are linked to an intelligent creation engine – forming a central station that processes each aspect of the factory. This has not only enhanced the way industries have been operating, but the rather, uncanny, use of artificial intelligence has propelled a variety of companies to new heights.

 

Outsourcing with an EDI Service Bureau

Outsourcing with an EDI Service Bureau

When you need to outsource your EDI implementation, one of the better options is to use an EDI Service Bureau. Here are some of the features:

Translation and mapping of data

Organizations start using EDI to improve transactions with their suppliers and partners. In some situations, they do so because the partners insist on transactions using EDI. The EDI service bureau translates and maps the data to a format compatible with your existing applications. The system will map and translate outbound data to a format that your partners will accept. A bureau handles all of the data, label requirements, etc. your direct involvement will be minimal.

Format conversion

Once you sign up with a service bureau, the services are not limited to EDI communications. The bureau will translate and convert formats from one to another according to your requirements. Some web applications output XML data; the service will then translate this data into something that your applications will understand.

Transport

There are several methods of actually transporting the EDI data. When sending data to your company, the bureau will use a protocol agreed beforehand and will use the preferred format when sending to your trading partner.

VANS

A VAN is a Value Added Network. Some organizations use a third party VAN to store EDI communications that the service bureau will pick up. There are service bureau’s that operate their own VAN, which will interconnect with the VAN of your trading partners.

Look Out For Fake Online Shops

Look Out For Fake Online Shops

As the world shifts its shopping onto the Internet, the scammers that exist in the physical world are following them there. Plenty of fake websites have sprung up hoping to catch unsuspecting consumers and the sad fact is that the consumers are falling for it.

The primary way to avoid such bogus sites is to stick to the old adage “If it’s too good to be true, then it is”. If you are looking for the newest X-Box on the day before Christmas and you find a website that says they have lots in stock – it’s fake! Sometimes the scam works by offering unbelievably low prices on products. Again, if it’s unbelievable, it probably is.

But sometimes you just can’t figure it out, because the scam is pretty good. In these instances, just put good old Google to use. Let’s say the company’s name is ABC789 Inc. Just type in that name in Google and look at what turns up. Usually, if it is a company that has been in operation for a while, there will be many hits on the page. You will also run into many forums where users have commented on that company. From this information you can make an informed decision on what type of company it is and how reliable their products are.

As always, good research can always help you before you get into a sticky situation. Don’t be impetuous and impulsive when you make purchases online, because it might even get you into more trouble than losing your money or getting a bad product.

How Clean are Your Computers?

How Clean are Your Computers?

Article written by Best Businesses

Would you consider grabbing a sandwich after you touch a toilet seat? Would you consider eating a sandwich after touching your keyboard? Out of the two scenarios above, the cleaner option is the one that involves the toilet seat. Surprising, right?

Studies have found that toilet seats contain 80% less bacteria than keyboards. This is because restrooms are cleaned regularly and hygiene is a priority in offices. The keyboard and mouse are not even considered for a complimentary wipe down. This is a matter for concern and must be taken seriously. The cleanliness of computer equipment that you constantly use is very important. Humans with their quirks such as nail biting, nose digging, rubbing the eyes, etc. transmit bacteria when at the workstation.

Proper care must be taken by administrators in an office to make sure that these items are cleaned as well. This not only ensures better health for the employees, it also results in more productivity and less downtime for the office. The cleaning company must also be carefully selected, and the chemicals that they use for cleaning must be reviewed thoroughly before being given the green light. Improper methods can lead to a variety of incidents that range from letters being erased from keyboards to chemical fumes affecting employees.

These concerns are not limited to the office only. Even in your home, you should make an effort to keep your computer equipment clean. After all, good hygiene is good living.