Making Businesses Run Efficiently With Digital Asset Management

In today's complex IT environment, data security and management is a primary concern for business. Front-page stories about massive data leaks, security breaches, ransomware and intrusion into systems are now an everyday occurrence. As business continue to engage in digital and e-commerce, they amass massive amounts of data. If not managed properly, that data can become a severe liability.

That's where Digital Asset Management or DAM comes in. DAM ensures that businesses can access the information that they need when they need it, securely and safely.

There are companies that can build Digital Asset Management systems from the ground up as well as assist in migrating data from existing asset management systems.  They also provide support for the back end and even have facilities for hosting and have access to their own data centers should you require one.  Every business is unique and has its own set of needs and requirements; that's why a good digital asset management system provider must be able to specialize in custom development to ensure that DAM investments are flexible and able to grow with your company.

There are needs for multiple solutions to cater to different facets of a business. Digital asset management solutions should be able to cater to every use case, but in certain cases (such as security) these digital assets may need to be kept separate. In such cases, customized solutions ensure that specific requirements of any organization can be met. Properly executed, a DAM system ensures better workflow and better security for companies which on rely on handling of large quantities of data.

Adaxes - Active Directory Identity Management Solution

Adaxes is a software solution developed by Softerra, which provides efficient management of Microsoft Active Directory, including security, administration, and management services. Active Directory is the directory service developed by Microsoft for use with its network and domain services. In a nutshell, it is a service or program that manages all network user accounts and log-ins. Each user is registered into the active directory and given log-in credentials, a username, and a password.  Whenever the user logs in to a Windows system computer, Active Directory determines whether the user is a normal user or administrator based on how the user was registered, and is given access rights according to his or her registration status. This controls the degree of access users have in the computer environment, thereby establishing security and control.

In large organizations or complex network systems, management of these credentials can be difficult and downright confusing—not to mention expensive. This is where Adaxes comes into play. It provides a console for Windows Active Directory and simplifies processes in relation to maintaining and managing it.

In a nutshell, Adaxes makes the administration of Active Directory much easier—and there are many benefits to using it. One of the biggest advantages of using Adaxes is the ability to give standard users password self-service consoles so that they can change or even recover log-ins or passwords without seeking IT assistance. It also allows role based delegation, which sets permissions that users need. Custom commands allow administrators to perform complex Active Directory tasks. Adaxes likewise provides the ability to launch various tasks at predetermined times, like sending notifications to users, deleting inactive accounts, synchronization tasks, and more. It makes it easier to automate common tasks to optimize procedures and eliminate time wasted by manual operation. Finally, it maintains consistency and sets standards for Active Directory.

Benefiting Through Managed IT Services

Managed IT services bring the power of outsourcing and the cloud to businesses of any size. Managed IT services provide many of the same technical knowledge, consistency, and knowledge of IT support and services many tech firms have—without having to create and maintain an in-house IT department. Moreover, managed IT services allow smaller companies to have access to world-class talent at a more affordable price.

Through managed IT services, your business can have a complete IT department at the cost of one full-time staff member. Experienced providers of managed IT services take their time to get to know and understand your business and its requirements before providing a custom solution that best fits with your particular IT infrastructure. If your business already has its own IT department, managed IT services can add capacity during particularly busy times, or help get an infrastructure project off the ground. Reputable providers can improve your existing team by providing them with additional insight, efficiency, and additional resources, while helping you save money.

By applying industry standard solutions to small and medium sized businesses, managed IT services improve network security and performance, while making sure that data are secure. Managed IT services can enhance your productivity by reducing downtime. End-users get the support they need, and solutions often come with standard upgrades to ensure that your system stands the test of time.

Driving Efficiency Through IoT

The Internet of Things started off as a move toward more data; now it is evolving into a tool for greater efficiency. Recent statistics reveal that the healthcare, transportation, and manufacturing industries, in particular, are showing high IoT adoption rates—and they are realizing significant business value from this move.

For example, the transportation industry will save 117 million barrels of oil over 10 years by using connected vehicles, analyzing energy use, and optimizing route efficiency. Vehicles that are connected to real-time traffic data and emergency services also improve transport safety, keeping the goods and the people they carry away from harm. 

IoT usage in the manufacturing industry is still in its infancy, but a whopping 82% of large companies that have already adopted IoT solutions are now enjoying the many benefits of smart manufacturing. They are able to manage their physical productions more efficiently to prevent interruptions and minimize downtime. They also monitor their inventory on a real-time basis, enabling them to control costs better and in many cases, lower prices.

In the high-speed healthcare field, IoT solutions add a lot of value as they streamline patient processing, shortening wait times and ensuring that people get the care they need immediately. Doctors are now able to do patient checkups remotely via connected devices, thereby reducing (and even eliminating) administrative as well as resource costs associated with scheduling routine visits. Patients receive high quality care without having to take several hours off from work.

There is no doubt that IoT solutions are useful across all industries. Large corporations have started using these tools to drive efficiency and revolutionize their operations—and the trend is quickly being adopted by smaller companies as well. IoT devices and technologies have the power to allow companies of all sizes reduce waste while increasing profits.

CRM for Businesses: More Than Just Technology

Real customer relationship management (CRM) is more than just a software package or “big data”. The most successful companies implement healthy CRM systems that connect and balance technology, process, and people – integrating “big data” into their company’s culture.  Whatever starts in the CRM software must radiate out into the customer experience.

The best CRM software solutions power not only sales, but also the operational workflow of a company. They improve both the quantity and quality of customer interactions, driving value throughout your operations and ultimately improving profitability. With the right CRM solution, companies can ensure maximum value from every stage of the production and sales cycle.

Working with CRM experts allows companies to choose, deploy, and maintain CRM solutions that make sense based on the size, strategic priorities, pace, and workflow of their business. Professional CRM implementers optimize platforms to organize, synchronize, and automate every function in a business. They can integrate sales, customer service, marketing, and technical support teams. CRM experts can implement a solution that can significantly impact efficiency, usability, and security—the factors that are important in achieving maximum value.

Be sure to work with CRM experts who have in-depth experience with many types of commercially available CRM solutions. And if none of these commercial systems are right for your business, they should be able to build you one that perfectly addresses your needs.

Hiring the Best App Development Companies in Los Angeles

Finding an app development partner which understands and reacts to your needs can be just as important as how the business side of the deal works out. The best app development companies in Los Angeles add real value beyond just the basic development portion of the contract; they can help you maximize the impact of and revenue from your app. Here are some of the things you need to look for when hiring a Los Angeles app development company:

1. Choose a developer that is truly interested in your business. Do they understand your goals and what challenges plague your industry? A good developer can provide you creative input based on years of experience developing similar apps. They can spot potential problems before they get bigger.

2. Look at their portfolio. Excellent U/UX skills are a must. Try out their apps and assess if they look good and are intuitive. As a first time user, did you find their apps to be easy to navigate?

3. Call their client references. The best app development companies in Los Angeles are always ready to extend client contact information. Find time to call those clients and get real feedback. How was their experience with the developer?

4. Choose an app development company you will feel comfortable working with over time. Mobile application development is never a one-time activity. Your app will undoubtedly undergo several cycles and evolutions based on user feedback. You want a Los Angeles developer that can stick with you through the app’s lifecycle. It’s hard to work with a company that will jump ship once initial development is done.

5. Look beyond the price. You want a great app—not necessarily the cheapest app. The most affordable option might actually cost more in the long run as you might need to have the app redone by another developer.

How to Find the Right Software Developer in the LA area

In today’s competitive technology market, it’s not enough to have a great idea.  That idea has to be built and packaged with the right user interface and secure back-end.  In Northern California, good software developers are notoriously difficult to recruit and retain. In Los Angeles, however, companies have a wider choice of software development firms. 

This leads to a natural question:  how to choose the right LA software firm —one that understands your industry and can proactively develop a solution that is compatible with your requirements? To avoid the usual pitfalls, be sure to ask these questions to a prospective software developer in Los Angeles:

1. Can you build software that works with our existing hardware and operating systems?
To not spend much on the new hardware, the software should be compatible with the existing hardware (server and PCs) and operating systems.

2. Once the system is finished, who owns its Intellectual Property (IP)?
Ask right away if you will be given exclusive rights to the system. This will help you avoid problems in the future. If the IP will belong to your business, ask if they will use any third-party components that you will not own.

3. Which programming technologies do you intend to use—and why?
Some software developers only work with certain operating systems. This is not a problem, as long as the programming languages they use are appropriate for your project. The best software development company in Los Angles will be happy to explain why certain technologies are best suited to your needs.

4. What ongoing costs are involved?
Ask about any licensing, hosting, and maintenance fees. Make sure that the costs are clearly outlined in the contract or agreement before they start building the system. There should be no surprise costs down the line.

5. How long is the catching period?
New software systems typically experience odd glitches once they go live. This is normal. The best software companies in Los Angeles should rectify any problems for free for a certain period of time (called the snagging period). The length of this period varies depending on the project size, but it usually lasts for one to three months.