TECHNOLOGY TRENDS

Archive for the ‘improved versions’ Category

“Security” is a word with a very elastic definition, especially when applied to businesses. For an e-commerce-only firm doing all of its sales and transactions over the Internet, this term means safeguarding data, protecting customer and company credit information, stopping hackers and backing up all its computer records. A retail store of the brick-and-mortar type not only has these things to consider, but the rest of the “security” definition, as well – physical security, that is, for the buildings and the people in them.

Companies today need more than just an ethical workforce to prevent theft and good locks on the doors to provide after-hours break-ins. They also need a good way to document “security events,” for a variety of insurance, business and legal reasons. There is one thing, and one thing alone, that can handle an assignment this broad, and it’s a CCTV (Closed Circuit TeleVision) system. Since it comprises various subsets of “high tech” – computers, cameras, optics and sensors for light, sound, motion, temperature, etc. – it is a field where there is constant progress. It is also, thankfully, a field where prices drop as technology matures, something that warms the heart of every bottom-line-focused businessperson.

First things first Do not get ahead of yourself if you are getting a CCTV system for the first time. Ease into it by doing some reading and getting accustomed to the terminology. You need to learn at least a bit about cameras, wireless technology, DVRs and NVRs (Digital Video Recorders and Network Video Recorders), do-it-yourself packages, the role of the PC in computer-based systems and various other system components. Each of these areas uses terms – gigabytes and terabytes, frame rates and fps, flash memory and USB, and so on – that you or your designated security manager must understand. You won’t be designing circuitry or building a PC, so there is nothing here that requires anything but average intelligence and a little studying.

Multiple kinds of protection Just the presence of a few pan/tilt/zoom cameras around your perimeter serves notice that your building is serious about security. The deterrent effect of visible cameras is so powerful that there is still a booming business in fake cameras, the best of which have multicolored blinking lights, can make panning movements and even emit an occasional “whirr” or “click” to simulate a lens zooming in or a shutter opening and closing. However, the fake cameras are a gamble, and are not recommended for business use except as “extras” after installation of real ones. Since, in this particular installation example, you are also installing inside cameras, adding a few dummies in non-critical areas can serve as a reminder to both shoplifters and employees that you are serious about stopping theft.

There are many trends in healthcare information technology to cover. With the US government’s economic stimulus package geared to improve heathcare IT, there will be areas were expertise will be greatly needed.Outlined below will touch on 5 hot trends that will be need qualified professionals to help implement the large efforts of the healthcare industry:

1). EMR (electronic medical records) or EHR (electronic health records) :- This is going to a huge effort on the part of many medical establishments. This system will take the “health history” of an individual and create a so called electronic medical record that will follow a patient anywhere for patient safety and more accurate treatments. All of the is over a huge network and storage systems along with integrating several applications.Job Title Examples: Developers, Programmers, Project Managers, Billing and Coding specialists, systems analysts but most will say EMR or EHR.

2). Informatics: - Informatics as it related to healthcare will include using medical information from clinical, nursing, medical, biotechnology and similar disciplines into an electronic format to be either stored, retrieved, shared, analyzed to help make informative medical decisions.Job Title Examples: Clinical informatics analyst, Informatics consultants, medical informatics – employers may seek specific degrees in the discipline (ie. RN, BSN, Biotechnology )

3). Enterprise Architecture: - Enterprise architecture with work within a healthcare organization like in other institutions. It is most commonly used to better outline a method of business and uses tools to understand and best document the structure of an organization. Very much strategic in nature.Job Title Examples: Almost always will have the terms “enterprise architecture” or “data architecture” or “data modeler” in the title. Usually a mix of SOA, data warehousing, ER modeling, Diagram modeling, frameworks, and strategy.

4). Patient Safety related systems & Quality: – This area of healthcare will use systems and applications to reduce with the goal to eliminate medical errors in and efforts to drastically increase healthcare quality and communication.Job Title Examples: Quality and patient safety will usually be part of the title and are non technical. The technical positions will be developers/programmers or applications tester of these types of applications.

5). Interoperability: – Overall this area covers bringing together healthcare information technology systems together and integrating them in order for them to work together across locations and then have the ability to deliver quality useful information to service it’s end user.Job Title Examples: Project management, software engineer, sometimes within informatics, architect and, analysts.

Almost every house could use a little something to make it yours, and most businesses would benefit from adding a little decoration to their offices. Standoff systems are a simple step in the right direction. Many applications are possible, and standoffs come in many varieties and functions. Standoffs can be used to mount pictures and displays between two or more pieces of glass or acrylic, create floating counter-tops, protect your artwork, or your television. The variations of colors add to displays. And if your application requires a standoff that is unobtrusive, low profile parts exist.

Mounting Displays Has Never Been Easier or More Attractive

The simplest and most common application of standoff systems is mounting displays. Standoff systems can be used for almost any size display, and though the most common standoff systems have a maximum length of 6 inches, custom standoff systems are relatively simple to manufacture. Simple standoff systems are designed to hold one or two panels flat against each other. Sheets of paper, canvas, or other display materials may be displayed in this manner. Other standoff systems may hold multiple panels, for more three-dimensional artwork. Panels are secured by the standoff cap mounting into the base. While standoffs are sometimes used as edge-grips so that drill glass is not necessary, this is not a safe method of mounting glass. For any application that prohibits the drilling of display panels, specialized hardware exists, but standoff systems should not be used.

Different materials are used for standoff systems, based on application. Plastic standoff system exists, and many multi-panel standoff systems are made of plastic. Plastic is a lightweight material, however, and most plastic standoffs are limited to under 30 lbs loads. Every successive panel in a multi-panel standoff system must be lighter, with load limits decreasing rapidly. Aluminum standoff systems are far more sturdy, and can bear loads of up to 60 or 70 lbs or more. Brass and stainless steel standoff systems are used for the heaviest panels and largest displays. Proper anchoring of standoff systems is always advise, and it is recommended that any standoff system is mounted into wall studs wherever possible.