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Category: IT Support Page 1 of 6

Comprehensive Guide To Cloud Migration For Businesses

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On September 25, 2020

In IT Support

In order to build an understanding of Cloud Migration for businesses, let us first acquaint ourselves to the term. The term Cloud Migration is used to define the process of moving & organizing different applications, organizational data and other resources from an on-premises data center to the cloud. Cloud is a computing model which stores the data on internet through a third-party cloud computing provider who manages & operates data storage as a service.

Once a business decides to migrate its data to cloud, the foremost step is to choose an appropriate strategy. Different strategies suit different situations/businesses. Here are the strategies a business can choose from:

  • Rehost Or Lift-And-Shift Model: It is the simplest model where an existing application is shifted to a new environment without making any modifications to its integrity. It is suitable for businesses that are new to cloud storage as it offers quick implementation & low cost benefits.
  • Re-Platform Or Lift-And-Optimize: It requires the business to make minimum changes to an application’s code or architecture when moving it to cloud. It allows businesses to make few optimizations while maintain the integrity of the application.
  • Repurchase Or Drop-And-Shop: Under this strategy, a business replaces its existing applications with new ones available on the system. It saves the cost for developing a unique system, as businesses can integrate into an established system for a seamless migration.
  • Refractor Or Re-Architect: It is a time-consuming but long term solution as businesses are required to rebuild their applications. It could involve automatically scaling certain apps or integrating new features such as server-less computing.
  • Retain Or Hybrid Model: Applications and data can be split up between two sources (cloud & on-premises for an increased security. However, it requires training on new applications or splitting of teams.

After choosing a suitable strategy, businesses can start with the stepwise process of cloud migration.

  • Assess: Businesses should analyze the resources (including time & money) required for cloud migration. It is important to consider if any training would be required after cloud migration, costs involved and if it would make sense for the business.
  • Pilot Testing: Start by implementing cloud migration to a small amount of sample data and test this system with a small team. Use the feedback to decide if it would be beneficial to scale the system to multiple teams or to the entire organization.
  • Initiate: Once the testing phase succeeds, it is time to start the actual migration process. The time consumed in cloud migration depends upon the type of strategy chosen by the business.
  • Organize: After the data movement is complete, it is important to know how much data has been moved and how to keep it organized. This helps in preventing any data loss.
  • Optimize: Identify if any immediate steps can be taken to improve the system and how will they impact the business.

For more information on cloud migration for businesses, contact Centex Technologies at (254) 213 – 4740.

Role Of AI To Improve IT Service Management

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On May 29, 2020

In IT Support

COVID-19 has increased the workload for IT Service Management (ITSM) teams. The sudden increase in incident queues is partly because of first-time work-from-home employees trying to securely log in and partly contributed by the overcrowding of IT systems as they were not designed to handle high volumes. Organizations are in dire need to improve ITSM in order to resolve the incidents timely and ensure uninterrupted operations.

AI can help businesses in effectively improving ITSM by streamlining the incident resolution process.

Incident Deflection: A major part of incident queues is occupied by connectivity and security login issues. AI can be used to analyze an incoming issue and offer related help files and step-by-step videos. The users can get assistance from these resources to handle common issues themselves, thus reducing the number of tickets. It will also improve customer satisfaction by equipping users with relevant knowledge to tackle such issues in the future.

Efficient Allotment: If an issue cannot be handled by incident deflection, AI can help in efficient allotment of the incident ticket. AI algorithms can be trained to interpret the nature of an IT request and an accurate category of data included in the ticket. Further, it can match the information with the strengths and capabilities of available agents. This will facilitate in reducing the resolution time of incoming requests. This approach will also help in reducing errors in resolving tickets as the requests are handled by agents equipped with the relevant skill set.

Accuracy: In order to ensure efficient resolution of an IT ticket, it is imperative to acquire complete and accurate data. The users are required to provide thorough information. However, many users may not be aware of the information they need to provide, where they can find it or what is the meaning of a technical term referred by an agent. AI can be used to point the users in the right direction by suggesting a service catalog form that collects all the necessary information for submitting a complete ticket. This will help in avoiding the back and forth juggling of the ticket between the agent and the user, leading to the early resolution of the issue.

Being Proactive: AI can recognize any patterns within incidents. It can identify/prevent SLA breaches and equip decision-makers with the information required for making necessary changes to ITSM strategies. This will allow the ITSM teams to be proactive and handle incident queues aptly.

For more information on role of AI in improving IT service management, contact Centex Technologies at (254) 213 – 4740.

Latest Innovations In Blockchain Technology

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On October 18, 2019

In IT Support

Ultra-modern business systems based on latest technologies like Augmented Reality, AI, IoT and Blockchain are changing the way enterprises used to function. Among these, blockchain is a relatively new revolutionary technology that is impacting various industries miraculously.

Understanding Blockchain:

Blockchain is a global online database where data or information is stored in a chain of blocks. It is managed by a cluster of computers but not owned by any single entity. Each of these blocks of data is secured and bound to each other using cryptographic principles. Through this technology, you can securely exchange any kind of transactions. It has brought a new perspective to security, resiliency and efficiency of systems.

Innovations in blockchain have enabled more agile value chains, faster product innovations, quicker integration and much more.

  1. Lightning Networks: To match the current payment processors without sacrificing decentralization, lightning networks have been designed to facilitate majority of bitcoin transactions. This type of network does not need block confirmations while making payments as they are instant and atomic. It also allows financially viable micro transactions where transfer of value occurs off-chain. Only the balance of the channels is broadcasted, dramatically reducing the load of chain.
  2. Sharding In IOST: Internet of Services Token (IOST) is an enterprise-level blockchain system. Many blockchains are constrained by their scalability capabilities; so, IOST is implementing its unique form of ‘Sharding’ to overcome this limitation. Sharding is a method of data partitioning that splits a database into smaller and easily manageable segments called ‘shards’. The customized sharding method introduced by IOST is called ‘Efficiently Distributed Sharding’. It reduces transaction processing workload on individual node and increases the total transaction throughput of the network which is proportional to increase in number of nodes. This ensures that IOST blockchain is infinitely scalable.
  3. Secret Contracts: Privacy is pivotal for usage of blockchain among mass number of users. The privacy issues are now solved by some blockchain developers such as ‘Enigma’ by implementing an innovative technology called ‘Secret Contracts’. Data that runs through Enigma’s secret smart contracts can be processed by nodes without actually seeing any of the data they are operating on.
  4. Interoperability: Importance of interoperability in blockchain is vital so that users won’t have to switch from one blockchain to another blockchain for every separate application they are using. The leaders in blockchain industry, such as ‘Ark’, are working on harmonizing the blockchain space by facilitating inter chain communication. This can be facilitated by incorporating a technology that allows different blockchains to connect and communicate with each other.

For more information on innovations in blockchain technology, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213 – 4740.

How To Defend Yourself Against Adware

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On January 25, 2018

In IT Support, Security

You might have come across a number of advertisements while browsing on web. Have you ever wondered why such advertisements pop up from nowhere and sometimes even crash the programs that might be running on your system.

Adware is nothing but an advertizing based software. The advertisements that are displayed on your screens may seem legit and harmless but can install adware into your computers. When once it is installed, it can track your personal information such as age, location, buying habits etc. Also it can gain access to your browser history which means your personal and confidential information is no more private. The main reason behind the whole mechanism is to fool you and make you install illegitimate programs that display hoax advertisements.

How Do You Know If Adware Is Installed In Your Computer?
You can identify if your computer has an adware in it or not. Here are some signs that you must lookout for –

  • You are subjected to a numerous number of pop- ups and advertisements.
  • The performance and speed of your computer becomes slow for absolutely no reasons.
  • An unfamiliar search bar appears in the web browser.
  • There is continuous change in the browser homepage.
  • You search for some website but you are redirected to another website.
  • Programs start crashing.

How To Defend Yourself –

  • Don’t download free programs as they can increase the chances of injecting adware to your system.
  • Install pop-up blockers to keep unnecessary advertisements at bay.
  • Be wary of files and links from untrusted sources. Make sure that you do not download or click them.
  • If you are suspicious of the content of a particular website then it is best to avoid it for security reasons, lest you will lose your important information and credentials.
  • Usually permission to install such adware’s is deeply embedded in the licensing agreement. So ensure that you read it thoroughly before granting any permission to install or download a particular program or file.
  • Do not click on forwarded emails and messages unless you are sure about the source from which it is sent.
  • Update your system regularly.
  • Install an appropriate anti-virus software.
  • Remove the cookies every now and then.
  • Install a firewall to stay away from such adware.
  • Do not click ‘OK’ or ‘YES’ without reading what a particular pop up says, as this sudden haste can lead to a multitude of problems.
  • Adjust your browser settings such that your internet zone setting is on medium security or above.
  • Do not install an unwanted program or software even if it is free.
  • Run an anti-adware software on regular basis to prevent any major issue.
  • If you witness a suspicious activity which can result in installation of adware or some malware onto your system, then it is best to turn off your computer using the power button.

It is extremely important to be aware about adware and the effect it can have. For more information on IT Security, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213-4740.

Abdul B. Subhani Accepted Into Forbes Technology Council

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On January 10, 2018

In IT Support, Tech Buzz

Abdul B. Subhani, President & CEO of Centex Technologies, an information technology consulting company based in Killeen, Texas, has been accepted into the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives.

Subhani joins other Forbes Tech Council members, who are hand-selected, to become part of a curated network of successful peers and get access to a variety of exclusive benefits and resources, including the opportunity to submit thought leadership articles and short tips on industry-related topics for publishing on Forbes.com.

Forbes Councils combines an innovative, high-touch approach to community management perfected by the team behind Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) with the extensive resources and global reach of Forbes. As a result, Forbes Council members get access to the people, benefits and expertise they need to grow their businesses — and a dedicated member concierge who acts as an extension of their own team, providing personalized one-on-one support.

“It is an honor to be selected as a member of the Forbes Technology Council.” Subhani said. “I am looking forward to contributing to the council with my peers addressing cybercrime and security issues.”

Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, says, “We are honored to welcome Abdul into the community. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to curate successful professionals from every industry, creating a vetted, social capital-driven network that helps every member make an even greater impact on the business world.”

For more information about Forbes Technology Council, visit https://forbestechcouncil.com/. To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit forbescouncils.com.

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