Ensure Holistic Business Performance with Systems Integration

Has your business expanded in the recent times at a gradual pace, with different departments being responsible for their individual IT growth? Simultaneously, are you also further considering procedures to improve efficiency and get interested in business to business ecommerce and online trade? If yes, then it is apt time for you to consider executing proper systems integration solutions.

In simple terms systems integration ensures that a business can function in a much more holistic manner than it is at present. At the same time it makes sure that systems are functioning together to set up a corporate memory and other deep relations with end users and other business partners. Sourcing old and new systems working together paves a new path for better cooperation and fast access to data and other benefits.


Some of the advantages are as follows:-

 

·         There is minimal concern with being locked in to a single vendor

·         Effortless flow of data between systems

·         Minimizes duplication of documents and processes

·         Better co-operation between departments

·         Have the capacity to add greater value to each transaction

·         Sources out greater knowledge about the customer

·         Offers a better chance of understanding business/market trends


Today leading supply chain consulting firms have introduced innovative systems integration that is further modified on few best systems in the electronic industry. The CTO services are able to handle one configuration at a single time to one user and low volume-high mix through high-volume-low-mix orders. No sooner the order is sanctioned a skilled person from the solution provider’s end comes along with advanced software kit. The logistics and manufacturing services help the consumers to be a part of the information flow.


Users are able to order configured goods with the help of a secure link on a global front page and keep themselves updated at every single step to the procedures with real time information. This reduced the program management time and assists in quick management of decision making. Some of the integrated supply chain integration and configuration services comprise of the following:-

·         Order Management

·         Turnkey Contract Manufacturing

·         Supply Base Management Domestic and Off-shore (qualification, certification, planning, procurement and quality management)

·         Consignment Contract Manufacturing

·         System Integration, Assembly and Test (build-to-order or build-to-stock)

·         eCommerce Solutions

·         Fulfillment solutions and Distribution

·         Transportation management

·         Warehouse/inventory management

·         Returns Management Services (RMA)

·         Legal Disposition of Electronic Equipment

·         On-line Inquiry and Reporting


System integration solutions provided by renowned service providers offers a wide range of product experience.  These companies have successfully configured and tested thousands of PC’s, peripherals, servers, routers, switches, hubs, video, voice and imaging products and numerous parts and accessories with high end performance.

 

Read more on - Rack and stack & Order Fulfillment

 

Learning to Discern Phishing Mails

Following the definition that Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has on phishing, is that it is a criminal act where phishers make use of sophisticated social engineering modes to send pop up mails to random users. This mail seems to come from authentic sources such a financial institution or any eminent FMCG brand or even internet service providers such as MSN or Yahoo. The mail contents very luring and compelling that asks you to share your private data in terms of password, bank account details from where other crucial details can be fetched out. In order to ensure participation, some phishing mails write of dire consequences if you do not share your private information. Examples of this come in the form of astrological predictions from a fictitious source or lottery mails where you are lured to win the amount.

Thus in a nutshell, phishing is all about third party intruders getting your private data so that they can hack your system and carry out fraudulent activities. Hence, there is need for proper phishing awareness programs.

Ways for Phishing Protection

There are numerous ways to attain protection from phishing. Some of the simple ways are when you receive a fraudulent mail with pop ups refrain from answering it. Furthermore, it is advised never to click on any message or URL link that seems unfamiliar to you even if the source seems authentic. It is essential that you know that no original company would ask you of your private details over an email.

Today security breaches have been many and that has given rise to enterprise spear phishing. Therefore, it is important that companies opt in for high end means to protect their employees from these attacks. In this regard, people controls are essential as majority of phishing attacks are aimed at the naïve and unaware users. Simultaneously, there needs to be a process control and technology that needs to be deployed.

 

Anti-Phishing Solutions at work

Today numerous companies have come up with advanced anti-phishing tools. There have been certain standard solutions that only targeted the process and technology aspect of the security. These advanced solutions address the “people’s risk” part of it also. The greatest trend so far is the incident-based reactive approach that has been taken for phishing. Enterprises today lack efficient anti-phishing solution when they have to protect their employees from phishing attacks.

Top notch service providers of anti-phishing solution enable organizations to secure their critical assets, i.e. their employees from being targeted by the phishers. The solutions helps to educate the employees and help them in identifying phishing attacks that use sophisticated and complex means to appear genuine mails. Furthermore, it also reviews and assesses the user response and comes up with a proper action against phishing activities.

Read Also On: Anti Phishing Tools, Simulated Phishing Attack

Preventive Methods for Occupational Noise Induced Hearing Loss

Industrialization has brought in favorable and profitable progress in the form of technological evolution and globalization. However, the other effect of industrialization is that most workforces in these industrialized countries suffer from occupational Noise-induced hearing loss. Considered as the most hazardous and permanent occupational disease common in industrialized countries, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), suggests protection against the effects of noise exposure when sound levels exceed 85 decibels.

 

Occupational noise induced hearing loss is a  highly preventable disease. Organizations in collaborations with the occupational safety administration professionals have introduced  many hearing protection programs  to end this hearing loss problems.  These  include:

 

  • Reducing or  eliminating noise at its source by identifying the high-level noise producing areas in the industrial units
  • Providing  the workforce with appropriate hearing protection devices  in areas where noise levels cannot be changed.
  • Educating the workforce on the hazards of long time exposure to high noise levels,  and the benefits  ear plugs  and noise reduction ear muffs.
  • Conduct regular hearing tests for the employees  working in the high noise producing zones
  • Rehabilitation of those workers who have suffered from occupational  hearing loss.

 

Working in a high noise decibel environment such as manufacturing units, aviation sectors, mining industries and construction sites requires the  use of ear protection aids. Hearing protection aids not only protects the ear but also paves way for greater concentration and increased focus. Though providing the workforce with high noise protection hearing aids seems a straightforward solution, most of the employees do not use these ear hearing protection devices because of these being uncomfortable with lack of communication  and situational awareness  leading to greater risks. Hence , it becomes quite vital to have the right hearing protection device as per the situation.

 

Considering a  few vital features will help the management in selecting the best hearing protection device for their  workforce. These include,

 

  • Lower overall attenuation - hearing protection devices that  can  adjust according to   changes in background noise from intermittent, continuous to  high impact
  • Built-in communications systems – Noise reduction ear muffs   that can incorporate protection along with communications capabilities wherein the users can communicate face to face irrespective of the distances via a two-way radio is great boon.  In high noise environments Even the technology enabled electronic ear plugs, Bluetooth enabled cell phone or hands free communication with VOX activation can protect the ear hearing.
  • Enhances hearing for workers with hearing loss –Ear protection hearing aids which are manufactured to compensate for people with hearing loss while providing them protection.
  • Situational awareness – Hearing protection devices with features to determine nature, distance and direction of all sounds, alarms, speech and vehicles and machinery will help the employees working in high noise levels to maintain situational awareness.

 

With the availability of comfortable and effective protection devices, it is possible for employees working in high noise level surroundings to prevent any form of occupational noise induced hearing loss.

Engagement Metrics – A Tool for Successful User Engagement

A quick review of the social media landscape with the participation of eminent brand and enterprises will highlight the success and prominence of social networking today. However, this was not the situation if you go couple of years back where social networking was limited to idle chatting and link sharing activities. With the advent of Twitter, Stumble Upon, Facebook, Digg corporate brands started using them as a part of their online PR and marketing strategy. Many established brands, start up ventures as well as individuals have been able to connect deeply with their target audience and understand what works and does not work for them. However, the most important aspect of systematized social networking depends on constantly improving social intelligence and to evaluate social engagement.


Evaluating Social Engagement

 

Being merely available in a social networking platform is not enough. Successful social media monitoring is about engaging your audience, tracking that engagement through appropriate social analytics and making the best possible use of social intelligence.


The ability to evaluate engagement, in terms of the levers and the principal indicators that can influence and optimize engagement is essential for the success of any company who keeps a social media focus. Though no single metric can be a solid indicator of how much proactively engaged your online consumers or community members are, there are certain engagement metrics that can work wonders. However, it is essential to remember here that engagement cannot be captured only the MAU’s and DAU’s singularly.

Leading Social Media Engagement Tracking Solutions

 

The main aim of using engagement analytics for engagement tracking is to evaluate your online effectiveness and user retention. Leading engagement tracking metrics helps you analyze user engagement activities depending on multiple pre-set factors in addition to your own personalized funnels. These solutions have the expertise to understand and highlight how and why engagement works. They also provide you the most appropriate method for data capturing that will give you a clear image about the factors that influence your engagement campaigns.


These new age engagement analytics are built in accurately for social data and offers you the automation to retain pace with any kind of social change. It also gives users the power to have ad hoc questions and drill deep down into user information, all the objective of enhancing your ability to engage new users successfully. Furthermore, engaging more and more consumers successfully will automatically will enhance your brands recall value and audience connect.

 

Read more on : social media analytics & Facebook analytics

 

How To Gain A Superior Position in Business with Engineering Expertise

Manufacturing industrial machines, automotives, aircrafts and power plants are massive projects that are accompanied with overwhelming challenges. Comfort, security and efficiency are top priority factors. You have to manufacture quality products with all these factors in consideration if you want to earn revenues. If you use cheap components with no guarantee of security you will lose your customers within no time.  The use of cheap quality parts in aircrafts and automotives can also endanger the lives of innocent people. Cost is also an issue as providing better facilities means employment of advanced technologies and that leads to more expenses. With the surmounting competition it is indeed difficult to manufacture optimum machines at competitive prices. But you can address all the issues effectively with the support of the professional engineering services.


The precision machining solutions provided by these professional experts help you to manufacture optimum automotive components, kits and sub systems of engine. They provide you with sound advice for the manufacture of transmission systems and braking systems made from castings, forgings and bar stocks. The manufacturing units and testing facilities of the engineering service consultants are located in special economic zones in India that provide you with exemplary sez benefits such as an organic and eco-friendly industrial environment, state-of-the art consulting and incubation facilities.


SEZ practices are also extremely favorable for power plant engineering companies. As the demand for more power production is increasing the lack of resources and technology, and the volatile market prices are a hindrance to the manufacture of competitive power plants.  The engineering service professionals provide you with cost-effective, innovative, flexible and quality solutions that can help you meet the demands efficiently and elevate your status in the local markets. They provide you with process optimization solutions that help you gain maximum revenues and also reduce the cost of product development.


The expert advice on industrial machinery manufacturing makes up for the scarcity of proficient talent in the domain. The automated processes that they deploy help you to manufacture high quality products with quick turnarounds. Their specialized R&D process facilitates you to meet the demands of your business and analyze the failures effectively. The engineering service company provides you with integrated designing and manufacturing solutions for managing large turn key fabrication projects. They provide you support in vendor qualification and monitoring processes.

These experts understand the requirements of the aerospace industry and are also aware of the challenges that prevent you from delivering powerful performances. They help you in the designing and manufacture of reliable aero structures and accessories. They contribute invaluably towards engineering analysis, stress validation and cost reduction.

Different Supply Chain Strategies

Wikipedia defines Supply Chain Management (SCM) as “the management of a network of interconnected businesses involved in the provision of product and service packages required by the end customers in a supply chain. Supply chain management spans all movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.” However, for managing a well-designed and well-planned supply chain that allows on time delivery of value added goods, a well thought out strategy is required.


Just as “one size does not fit all” a generic supply chain strategy will not be able to meet the demands and requirements of companies manufacturing different kinds of products for various markets.  Not all products have the same demand and the same lifecycle. Hence, depending on a generic supply chain strategy for manufacturing products would be in no way effective. The ultimate goal of designing a supply chain strategy is to improve efficiency and reduce costs. And this is possible only by coming up with a well-designed strategy that takes into account product attributes, customer requirements and market characteristics.


Supply chain strategies are divided into various categories namely Lean, Agile, Postponement and Speculation. Let’ look at each in detail.


Lean

It revolves around the concept of designing a well run supply chain by reducing waste and non-value added activities. In any form of supply chain, waste happens in the form of time, costs and inventory. To build a lean supply chain, companies must look at every process in their supply chain (such as manufacturing, warehousing, transportation and returns management) and implement corrective measures to reduce waste and resources. A lean supply chain strategy helps companies to enhance performance and profitability.

Agile

Agile supply chain strategy helps companies to respond to constantly changing customer demand. The key aspects of agile supply chain strategy are flexibility and speed. It revolves around the concept of ensuring customer satisfaction through swift, accurate and effective implementation of various supply chain activities.

 

Postponement

Supply chain postponement strategy deals with the concept of delaying the final manufacturing until the receipt of the actual customer order. Such a strategy helps in minimizing risks of wrong manufacturing or incorrect inventory. Moreover, supply chain postponement helps companies to not only avoid stocking unwanted products but also enhance customer satisfaction by delivering customers with latest products.

 

Speculation

This supply chain strategy focuses on increasing savings by manufacturing and distributing finished goods in bulk. It helps to reduce costs by maximizing the uses of resources, warehousing and transportation.

 

Also read more on : supply chain solutions & order fulfillment

 

Integrated Engineering Services For Cost Effective Solutions

Organizations all over the world need to better their engineering capacities to keep pace with the mounting consumer demand. Stiff global competition is presenting tough challenges to industries for engineering and manufacture of products without any compromises on quality and budgets. Almost all the industries like aviation, FMCG, and oil and gas are encountering tremendous trouble and struggling to deal with demands.


Often, it is enterprises that are capable of combining outsourced engineering services along with their own internal capacities are the ones that make the most profit. It is estimated that organizations spend roughly between 4 to 10 percent of their revenue on engineering. The engineering departments of enterprises in industries like aerospace, automotive mobile communications and industrial equipments are experiencing an increasing demand to design, manufacture and launch new products in a limited period. The lack of experienced staff besides this, is also putting a strain on the existing engineering processes, and the resources. Consequently, there are wide ranges engineering support services that are being outsourced.


Offshore outsourcing is a new development that has taken place in the recent times. With integrated engineering service, an organization can enjoy high levels of expertise and knowledge while ushering in streamlined and composite processes that focus on assured and promising returns. They help the aerospace manufacturing businesses in meeting all requirements for improving quality, reducing time-to-market, enhancing revenues, reducing costs of product development and enhancing the sustenance of the businesses with their expert suggestions. To execute environmentally friendly processes, these outsourced engineering services consultants have a state-of-the-art facility with cutting edge technological processes with effective SEZ benefits as well.


There are also companies that offer efficient solutions in outsourced engineering services that deal in various aspects such as product analysis, concept design, product detailing, civil structure, industrial products, aerospace solutions, and other requirements in industries like transportation, oil and gas and many others. Their real-time assistance helps in addressing all issues effectively. To ensure better quality, faster and cost-effective solutions, there is an efficient research and development team.


Enhanced generation of revenues while meeting the exacting industry standards is a commendable feat. To accomplish their goals these businesses require focused and smart processes and people. Implementing positive practices help in overcoming all challenges efficiently without causing any adverse reactions. The consultants that provide global engineering services are a committed team that provides ideal guidelines for a prosperous tomorrow.


Related links: Engineering services ,  Integrated engineering services

How to Make your Employees Proficient in Handling Phishing Risks

The online environment is filled with temptations and some of these are really dangerous. Many have been duped by the lure of free money and wares. The devious online attacks are launched in various deceptive forms that do not allow a person to think logically at that instant. And by the time realization sets in it is too late to repair the damage. Phishing is one such dreaded online attack that does not spare anyone. Those who become victims are either unaware of how these operations are launched or are too lazy to implement appropriate anti phishing protection measures to safeguard their savings.

Phishing can cause turmoil in your business if any employee readily furnishes the critical business information such as bank details, financial transaction details etc. Your employee also cannot be held responsible if he cannot identify the attacks and address them effectively. He will presume that he has been approached by banks and financial institutions with whom you have commercial association for the purpose of updating their records.

He will simply click on the link or the attachment that is sent along with an ordinary mail and will be transported to a fake website that is hard to distinguish as a duplicate one. Training programs that help identify the security vulnerabilities and loopholes and that which helps in addressing them effectively is extremely necessary to ensure the safety of your business.

The training programs will increase the phishing awareness level amongst your employees and help in running a stringent and compelling enforcement that helps in averting all online threats. How do you ensure that your business is free from phishing? You must employ the automated anti phishing software that deploys profound capabilities and saves you from irrevocable damages. The security management process is streamlined due to the automation facility.

The software launches a mock phishing attack on the employees to test their awareness levels and readiness. It constantly monitors and records the actions taken by your employees for analysis. After the test is completed the employees are sent the results through personalized mails. These mails also suggest remedies that can help counter the issue more effectively.

Danger is lurking everywhere in the online environment. You must be prepared for attacks anytime and you must have competent tools that can provide business with robust protection even in the midst of such precarious conditions. The anti phishing tools are your loyal allies that will help you to survive all onslaughts and carry on with élan.

Read Also On: Phishing Attacks, Enterprise Spear Phishing

Phase I Studies Conducted By Indian CRO’s

Medical researches in India are a combination of clinical trials and other important clinical studies. A famous one in this regard, is the Phase I studies that revolves around the new treatment as well as drugs used in diagnosis. The main aim of this study is to study and learn about the appropriate dosing schedule. The study comprises objective for instance, the manner in which a certain drug is given, the amount of the drug given and consumed as well as the frequency at which the drug is given to the patient. Medical researchers focus on the learning they attain about the drug and its toxic and other harmful effects.


Popular clinical research organizations (CRO) in India carry on Phase I Studies that are also assisted by their vast experience in Clinical Trials. These organizations are well equipped with high end state-of-the-art architecture and also possess medical volunteers that help in the progression on the study. Some of the constituents here are as follows:-


* First-in-human

* Single Ascending Dose studies

* Multiple Ascending Dose studies

* New Chemical Entities

* Dose Escalating studies

* Capabilities


Apart from the services mentioned above, CRO’s also offer Phase I Studies for instance First –in-Man for the New Chemical Entities (NCE’s) and also the New Biological Entities (NBEs).  In addition to that, there are a diverse range of medical pharmacology studies that comprise Drug Inspection studies, Proof of Mechanism & Proof of Concept, Food Effect, TQTc studies, Pharmacokinetic / Pharmacodynamic studies as well as explanatory studies for multiple biomarkers and Special Popular studies.


Phase I Studies and Clinical Infrastructure


Medical infrastructure has an essential role to play in Phase I studies as well as other researches that are linked with it. Eminent CRO’s have well structured bed units that are efficiently managed by a group of expert professionals who have required medical experience. At the same time, there are state-of-the-art clinical devices for further assistance. Apart from this, there are skillful nursing staffs and expert physicians. These staffs have hands on experience in conducting on First-in-human and other clinical Pharmacology studies. In India, popular CRO’s located in the southern part of the country has excelled Phase I Studies.


These CRO’s have huge experience in conducting medical researches and trials in special and patient populations. Their innovative service portfolio spans across Phase I to III studies for various global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies. They assist in end-to-end Clinical trials. Few other key services offered by them comprises Bio Studies, Regulatory Compliance Services, Biometrics, Medical Writing and Bioanalytical Research and have an impressive track record and client feedback.


Read Also On: Biometric Services

Deploying Advanced Risk Management Solutions

Every business big or small must lay a strong foundation for risk management if it aims at sustained growth. However, organizations can choose to initiate risk management processes from a number of risk assessment programs that are made available to them. These programs are beneficial and can be implemented to guide business managers who devise policies for their businesses.

Opting in for Secure Compliance Risk Management Solutions
Today most companies are aiming to secure efforts and enhance the risk visibility all through their business. So, in order to integrate and centralize processes, policies, controls and procedures an efficient governance, risk and compliance (GRC) strategy can be of great help.

Eminent brands excelling in compliance management solutions have introduced innovative risk management software that can operate on various control and process frameworks. One of the biggest advantages of this software is its capability to bridge with multiple IT Governance frameworks as well.

Risk management solutions can:

  • Provide a comprehensive automated and integrated solution with in-built assistance for RBI Compliance, NSE, BSE, MCX, COBiT, SOX, BASEL II, HIPAA, FISMA, NCDEX, PCI, ISO and other country specific ready-to-use frameworks.

  • Offer complete risk management support for IT operations, cyber security and efficient compliance management.

  • Significantly brings down the ‘Total Cost of Ownership’ (TCO) almost up to 10X cost savings.

  • Be implemented as a SaaS service. The Cloud based “pay – as – you – grow” delivery option helps in ‘Software as a Service’ (SaaS) model with on-premises deployment of tools for security posture assessment. This needs less investment initially with high returns, which makes it ideal for small and medium scale organizations.

  • Help combat cyber-security issues through proactive assessment and IT compliance and security.

  • Offer centralized repositories for compliance related organizational data.

  • Provide compliance status with drill down options across departments, territories and so on. Auto reminders can be set for addressing all the compliance related tasks in an optimal way and manage any exceptions and activities related to compliance.

  • Provide in-depth audit trail for all compliance related actions throughout the whole process.


It must be noted that innovative compliance risk management solutions with their Meta framework can help organizations to efficiently manage risk compliance with ease and flexibility. This can help organizations to keep up with the needs of multiple regulations, assess controls and store evidence as well.

Read on - vulnerability management, vendor management