Tag: Technology

Factors That Affect Internet Speed

On March 29, 2019

Users, nowadays, enjoy numerous web enabled services for entertainment, education, business, marketing etc. Studies suggest that there were 4,100,667,287 internet users worldwide as on January 1, 2019. As internet has become an integral part of our life; so a good internet speed is of due importance.

Fast internet connection enables you to browse the web, install new programs & software, stream videos & listen to music without any snag. However, a slow internet connection on the other hand can lead to frustration.

Let us gain some insight on factors that affect internet speed:

Connection Type: Your internet speed significantly depends on the type of connection available. You can opt for any internet connection type such as modem, 4G wireless, hotspots, DSL, mobile satellite, fiber, cable, etc. Also, the speed of your internet connection depends largely on the technology being used by your internet service provider.
Network Congestion: Another reason for a slow internet speed is internet traffic. So, when large number of people are using the internet then the internet speed is bound to slow down. Also, when multiple members of your family are using the internet & hogging the bandwidth by downloading, streaming or playing games online then the internet speed might reduce. Even though, the modern network connections are designed to handle a high volume of connections, the internet speed tends to slow down during the peak hours.
Faulty Devices: A slow internet speed might also be a result of your faulty device. An old device with outdated program & software might not be able to support modern websites that feature lot of multimedia content. This may lead to slow buffering. Another reason of a slow connection could be presence of a malware or virus on the device.
Location Of Wi-Fi Router: The location of your router also makes a considerable difference on the speed of internet. Factors such as distance from the devices, height at which the router is placed above the ground, proximity to materials that may obstruct Wi-Fi signals, etc. have an impact on the speed of internet. It is always advisable to place your router at a central position away from walls & obstructions. This helps in easy transmission of the signal and reduces the distance to be travelled by it.
Presence Of Other Networks: There is a possibility that the internet speed might slow down because of conflicting transmissions in an area having a large number of different Wi-Fi networks.
Internet Plan: The speed of your internet also depends on the internet plan bought by you. Choose a plan on the basis of your need & usage as well as the number of people who would share the network connection.

For more information about IT, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213-4740.

Difference Between AR & VR?

By centexitguy

On March 25, 2019

In Tech Buzz

PDF Version: Difference-Between-AR-&-VR

What Is Robotic Process Automation (RPA)

By centexitguy

On February 21, 2019

In Uncategorized

Robotic process automation (RPA) involves using a software that is programmed to do basic tasks just as humans do. It uses artificial intelligence & machine learning to handle high-volume & repetitive tasks that were originally performed by humans. The tasks may vary from solving queries, making calculations, record maintenance, sending receipt messages, updating a spreadsheet, etc. The RPA software is basically designed to reduce the burden of simple routine tasks.

Applications Of RPA

Customer Service: RPA software helps in improving overall experience of customers by automating contact center tasks to provide better service.
Accounting: RPA can be used to perform certain accounting tasks such as general accounting, transactional reporting, budgeting, etc. This helps in reducing human effort as well as saving time.
Healthcare: RPA solutions can be used to handle medical records of patients, provide previous medical history, customer support, hospital account management & billing.
Human Resource: Tasks such as filing & updating employee information, on-boarding & off-boarding, etc. can be handled by a software bot.
Supply Chain Management: From procurement, order processing, monitoring inventory levels to shipment tracking, RPA can also be used for managing numerous tasks performed in the supply chain.

What To Look For In A RPA Software?

Speed
Scalability
Reliability
Simplicity
Intelligence

RPA Implementation Methodology

Planning: The first step is to plan and list the tasks you want to automate.
Development: In this step, the RPA software is developed as per the needs specified in the planning phase.
Testing: The software is pre-tested to identify & correct the defects.
Support & Maintenance: Support is needed even after a software goes live.

Benefits Of Resorting To RPA

Cost Saving: Robotic process automation helps in significantly reducing costs as tasks that were earlier done manually can be automated using RPA software. This improves the overall process performance and revenues of the business.
More Accuracy: Employees need to be very careful while performing a task because there are chances of inaccuracy. However, RPA automates the work which eliminates human errors & mistakes. This in turn, improves the quality & efficiency of work performed.
Saves Time: Robots can perform tasks at a higher speed as compared to human workforce. This helps in reducing the time taken to perform a task.
Gathering Insights: RPA software has the ability to gather, organize, analyze and provide valuable data insights to ease the process of planning & decision making.
Simple: Training an employee consumes time whereas RPA solutions are programmed as per need of the business. It is very easy & flexible to operate.

For more information, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213-4740.

Security Risks Associated With Your Smart TV

By centexitguy

On August 16, 2018

In Security

Gone are the days when your TV sets were just used to watch regular TV shows. Smart TVs rule the market nowadays and can be used to play games, browse internet, download and access apps, etc. Since smart TV sets can be connected with internet, pen drives, webcams, gaming consoles and other devices, they are susceptible to a number of security risks.

As per Statista, there will be an estimated number of 759.3 million TV sets connected to the internet globally by the end of 2018. The figures are startling, and they necessitate the need to cognize people about security and privacy threats associated with smart TVs. Although there has been massive increase in number of IoT devices being used, the question that arises is whether devices such as your smart TV are safe to use or not?

Following are some security risks associated with your smart TV:

Hackers can gain access to data i.e. photos and other information through storage devices such as USB or your smartphone connected to the smart TV.
Your data is also at risk if you operate social and communication apps such as Skype on your smart TV.
Once your smart TV is connected to Wi-Fi then there is risk to your personal information/ browsing history etc.
Smart TV can also be used to target you with instant advertizing messages.
Your smart TV can be used to launch a botnet attack.
You might have to make subscription payments through your smart TV for viewing different programs, web series or videos. However, your financial information can be tapped and is at risk in case your smart TV is hacked or is compromised.

Preventive Measures To Be Taken

Update Regularly – The first and foremost thing is to buy a smart TV of a reputed brand. They usually take measures to protect privacy of their users. It is also important to regularly update the TV’s software to prevent security & privacy issues.
Use Firewalls – All devices that are connected to internet should be protected by firewalls. The smartest move is to install a router based firewall or any other firewall which your television set supports.
Camera Security – Disconnect your smart TV from plug as well as internet when not in use. Also to prevent the problem altogether, cover the smart TV camera with a piece of opaque tape.

It is important to stay vigilant to protect yourself from such vulnerabilities. For more information about IT Security, call Centex Technologies at (254) 213-4740.