Developing a Successful Business Intelligence Strategy

Running a business in the modern world is full of constantly evolving and dynamic challenges. It can become overwhelming quickly. The maintenance of operations is a complex task that leaves little time for generating insights imperative for gaining a successful edge in competitive markets. But businesses of all sizes—SMEs especially—require perspectives from data that are accurate and actionable. At this point, the role of business intelligence (BI) is to make this data accessible, and it requires an intentional strategy.

In this article, we examine an understanding of business intelligence and layout directions for generating a business intelligence strategy that is relevant and accessible.

Understanding business intelligence (BI)

The core purpose of business intelligence is to leverage software and services to convert essential data points into actionable awareness. Tools used for BI provide access to data through analytical lenses such as reports, dashboards, charts, maps, and various other modalities. Users can render nuanced intelligence about the state of the business.

Business intelligence vs. business analytics

One of the principles of business intelligence is to offer data that provides a portrait of an organization’s current status. This state of the business might be today, this month, or another range of time. Still, it is an evaluation of the current standings. In this sense, business intelligence offers an illustration or explanation. In contrast, business analytics provide a prediction. Analytics primarily concern what a business should do for the future rather than where a business currently stands.

A guide to developing a business intelligence strategy

Business intelligence is meant to instill various capabilities, ranging from reporting and querying to complicated analysis and data mining. BI tools may include summaries, dashboards, graphs, charts, and maps that offer detailed illustrations. These tools and capacities are intended to provide fast and easily digestible portraits of the current state of an organization. To handle these many tools and capabilities, developing a strategy is a vital facet towards reaping the benefits of business intelligence.

We detail a few of the ways an organization can go about generating a sound business intelligence strategy.

1. Assess the present state

The first step to establishing a business intelligence strategy is to assemble a team that can accurately analyze and present the current status of the business’ data. With a dedicated team in place, assessing the current state of an organization involves considerations about the data currently collected and the technology being used to manage it. It is also vital to apprehend the organization’s structures and processes that mine and interpret the business’ data. In this stage, a BI team will want to identify the most valuable data and determine what data is less relevant (or irrelevant) to current operations.

2. Determine the relationship of data to performance

The second step a BI team can take is to discern the most important indicators for performance. In business terms, these are known as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Critical to KPIs is the ability to be measurable. A BI team must be able to point to objective numbers that relate to the business achieving its goals and implementing improvements. An example of a KPI might include the number of new contracts signed in a period. This same KPI may also be used to identify how many future contracts need to be signed to reach sales goals.

An essential aspect of identifying KPIs is to limit the overall number assessed and focus on the highest priorities. Additionally, these KPIs should be representative of the business as a whole. Choose KPIs from various factions of the company to offer a more holistic perspective of overall operations. It is important to note that BI strategies are not limited to the data of an IT department. They must involve all aspects of current procedures and inter-departmental goals.

3. Choose a solution and test it

Business intelligence strategies require the proper software and partners for implementation and maintenance. A core decision in this process is determining whether to use a cloud-based (remote) solution or an on-premise solution. The size of the business or the priority of security measures may impact this decision. Depending on how advanced the current resources for BI are within the organization, a company may also want to consider flexible and scalable options for future growth.

With the correct software or partners in place, a BI team can select a few KPIs to trail initially. Implementing the strategy can occur in stages. Each trial can assist in developing informational dashboards and summaries. The results can be submitted to various departments in the organization for feedback on the relevance and clarity of the data.

4. Perform regular reviews

Any effective business intelligence strategy must involve a review process. These review processes should assess lessons learned while documenting and identifying how valuable the data is to the organization. A review process may consider the user’s experience and the potential for change to the business’ KPIs from year to year.

Resources

Implementing and maintaining a business intelligence strategy can be complicated and require support. Specialists at Network Coverage can assist in this essential and ongoing process.

We provide BI services that include ERP management, data collection and reporting, dashboard development, performance reporting, and various other essential elements for your BI solutions.

For experienced advice and support on designing and implementing effective BI systems, you can explore expert technology solutions for business strategy by setting up a consultation with Network Coverage.

Understanding NIST Compliance & Its Benefits

From small businesses to large corporations, cybersecurity remains a top priority. Security protocols are not the exclusive interest of government agencies or international companies. The risk to sensitive information and business interests has developed into a wide-reaching concern. For these reasons, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a non-regulatory government agency, has developed various resources to support public and private organizations.

Although a US-based initiative, NIST guidelines have been adopted by organizations throughout the world. Notable organizations utilizing the direction of this agency include JP Morgan Chase, Microsoft, Intel, Bank of England, Telephone Corporation, and the Ontario Energy Board. One of the primary resources developed by NIST is the Cybersecurity Framework. As of 2020, it is projected that 50% of US organizations use the Framework to inform and guide their cybersecurity efforts.

According to NIST, “The Framework integrates industry standards and best practices to help organizations manage their cybersecurity risks. It provides a common language that allows staff at all levels within an organization…to develop a shared understanding of their cybersecurity risks.” In addition to understanding risks, the Framework also supports organizations in reducing these risks through customizable measures.

Many businesses are exploring how to comply with NIST guidelines. They are also exploring what this means to their operations and security. In this article, we discuss an understanding of NIST compliance and its importance to businesses.

Summary of NIST Compliance

Compliance with the directions and infrastructure of NIST ensures that federal agencies also remain in compliance with various other federal regulations. As a result, it is endorsed by the US government, functioning as a standard for the highest level of cybersecurity.

Therefore, the high standards and broad reach of NIST guidelines have been adopted widely by businesses in the US and around the globe. Companies have developed an interest in complying with NIST standards because they represent security best practices applicable to a far-ranging set of industries.

The most widely recognized and adopted strategy is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. These security guidelines are rooted in improving an organization’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to diverse cyber threats. Each of these guidelines is customizable to the requirements of a company. The Framework is made up of three parts: Framework Core, Implementation Tiers, and Framework Profile.

The Framework Core is a set of co-occurring functions that a business can follow for its security infrastructure. It is comprised of five core functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. Implementation Tiers provide a range of four tiers representing how well the Framework is exhibited in an organization’s cybersecurity risk management practices. And the Framework Profile is offered to assist organizations in determining their progress based on their specific requirements and needs.

Making NIST compliance work for your business

NIST offers numerous resources that can be applied flexibly to your business based on your specific requirements. The Cybersecurity Framework, NIST’s most widely used resource, is a set of guidelines that can be sifted to determine what works best for your business’s needs. You can use each function of the Framework or identify which parts are most ideal. For example, the third part of the Framework focuses on developing a target profile for your company.

These target profiles are comprised of categories and subcategories that can be applied based on your circumstances. In addition to establishing your goals using the Framework Profile, you can also work through the Framework Core. These Core measures are the active procedures your company can take to identify, detect, and respond to cybersecurity incidents.

The final function of the Framework Core is a measure to recover from these incidents. While your company is engaging these co-occurring functions, the Framework will also assist in identifying how well you are implementing the guidelines. The Implementation Tiers portion of the Framework will support your business in identifying where gaps in your efforts exist and how to install strategies to address the shortcomings. Beyond the Framework, NIST also offers further resources for your company to expand, which they have identified as NIST 800-53 or an ISO standard.

The Benefits of Complying with NIST

Ultimately, complying with NIST guidelines offers your business confidence against cybersecurity threats. You will be provided a way to identify and assess your risk, and you will gain clarity on how to respond and bounce back from incidents. The immediate benefits are protection against cyberattacks, malware, ransomware, and various other cyber threats.

However, your business can also avoid the severe costs associated with security risks. This may result from avoiding direct theft, or it may result from the time saved to eliminating the risk altogether. A business also stands to diminish the impact of lost or compromised data. Securing sensitive information is critical to the operations of a business, but it also maintains a favorable and trustworthy reputation with your customers. NIST compliance can also assist in thwarting the legal trouble that can be associated with cybersecurity incidents.

Compliance with NIST and the Cybersecurity Frame cannot offer complete assurance of security. They are guidelines for developing a sounder strategy. But the NIST resources are only one step. Companies still need to develop comprehensive cybersecurity programs involving constant web monitoring, security policies, and ongoing training for employees.

Resources

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework has developed into a viable asset for numerous types and sizes of public and private organizations. However, it can be a complex system to understand or integrate into your operations.

Also, there are many factors to consider for the security and protection of your company’s data. An organization must determine what security measures will be optimally designed for your specific needs.

Network Coverage understands the reality and challenges facing today’s most vulnerable industries. This is why Network Coverage has assembled a set of technology and business solutions to support your organization in maneuvering through this complex and critical environment.

Set up a consultation with Network Coverage for experienced advice and support.

Everything You Need to Know About IT Consulting

Businesses and organizations often hire IT consultants to help manage and improve their IT services. An IT consultant works with information technology systems to help companies manage, optimize, and automate tasks through technology.

Is it worth investing in an IT consultant? Improving your IT services can help streamline your business and may add value; allowing you to focus more in-depth on your business while pushing to increase your profit.

Before deciding whether an IT consultant would be right for your business, it’s essential to understand the role of an IT consultant. Let’s look at what an IT consultant can offer your business.

How Does IT Consulting Work?

IT consulting offers various [managed] IT services to companies that aim to improve internal processes and streamline operational systems. An IT consultant helps clients implement changes in these systems. They can also focus on developing or installing software that responds to a specific business need.

When you invest in IT consulting, you may be given advice about which technologies to invest in or which architecture to set up. An IT consultant may advise your business on the type of skills and experience necessary to upkeep systems, operate new software, or manage day-to-day technical tasks.

An IT consultant will also work through several steps when working on a project for a client company. A consultant may elect to conduct interviews with the company’s c-suites, directors, and managers to discover pain points within your existing infrastructure. This will allow the IT consultant to collect data and information designed to find out more about a company’s needs.

The IT consultant will then analyze the information collected and have a discovery meeting with stakeholders to discuss their findings. This information and analysis can then be used to develop a plan of action.

The IT consultant will then be able to create a solution that meets the needs of the company. Software may be installed and systems developed that will improve how effectively the company is run.

What Does an IT Managed Service Company Do?

IT Managed service companies employ IT consultants, project managers, and specialized experts who work with various businesses.

On a daily basis, managed IT providers use data analysis tools to compile complex information and report it back to stakeholders. They analyze a company’s key performance indicators and look at ways that software or systems can be used to improve the efficiency of the operation of the business.

An IT service company can help companies to develop in many ways. For example, they may help businesses to develop in order to prevent disaster. They can put measures in place to ensure that a business’s network remains secure. They may also be able to create a disaster recovery plan. This type of strategy will outline how your business’s infrastructure will recover in the event of an attack or a natural disaster.

Companies often come to an IT consulting agency with very complex problems. The job of the IT consultant is to help the business to develop solutions and then set them up. An IT consultant must possess many versatile skills in order to be successful.

Skills used by IT consultants

In general, IT consultants are very analytical thinkers who are also very creative. They need to have good investigative skills as they often have to filter through sophisticated networks and/or technical ecosystems.

IT consultants are also required to be proficient in using many different technical tools and software. Critical thinking and comprehension of industry trends is vital. If you decide to work with an IT service company, you will also have access to a team of professionals who can combine their skills and provide unique and innovative solutions. Professional tools and specialized software may be needed to deploy just the right solution.

Contact Network Coverage

A Managed IT Service company or IT consultant can handle the complex technical needs of your business as it grows. You and your employees can continue to work towards your goals while the technical experts at Network Coverage work to create and maintain your technical systems behind the scenes.

How Does Outsourcing IT Help Improve Network Security?

Network security is crucial if you’re running a company that uses computers, software, or technology. In recent times, there has been rapid advancement in technology, allowing businesses to streamline their operations and improve their production. While technology is a great thing, it also brings security risks such as hacking (e.g. denial of service attacks) or spamming (e.g. phishing exploits).

Outsourcing IT to an IT security consultant can help your company improve network security.

IT Network Security

While many businesses have a dedicated IT department, it’s an excellent idea to employ an IT consultant as this will help your company improve network security. Professionals such as IT security consultants specialize in making your software, computer systems, and networks secure.

IT security consultants can check for vulnerabilities in business networks. They can then design security solutions that will meet the organization’s needs and stop cyber attackers in their tracks.

IT companies can view your networks from the perspective of both the attacker, as well as the victim. This will help them to locate vulnerabilities accurately. The business IT systems can then be improved to make it harder for hackers to gain access, thus making the network more secure.

Why businesses need to keep their networks secure

Many businesses find that it’s better to outsource IT to improve security. This allows you to employ a professional company that may have more skills, knowledge, and experience than your existing IT staff. You may also find that some IT security service companies employ top experts with first-hand experience of how to find security threats.

It’s crucial to invest time and money into improving your business’s network security. If you were to suffer from a cyber-attack, it could result in a substantial monetary loss. Most companies agree that making an initial investment to outsource IT security is better than spending money after an attack has happened.

Attackers, hackers, and spammers target various businesses or organizations, so no industry is safe. Whether you’re running a government department, financial institution, or another enterprise, you’re still prone to attacks.

Crippling losses can occur in only minutes if a hacker was to break into your business accounts. Businesses also need to protect their intellectual property and ensure their customers’ data is always secure.

How to Improve Network Security?

Managed IT service providers like Network Coverage employ experts that follow the latest security trends and design solutions to keep companies’ steps ahead.

IT security consultants have vast expertise in many different applications, including databases, software, and hardware, networks and firewalls, encryption, and more. They combine all their skills and experience to help companies prevent attacks. Network security can be improved by allowing an IT security consultant to assess the existing systems and infrastructures, find any weaknesses or vulnerabilities, and create a plan to improve upon after the initial assessment.

An IT specialist will then be able to develop and implement security solutions that will prevent unauthorized access. Experts can not only recommend network or software upgrades, but they may also recommend upgrading network hardware. Technical tests such as malware analysis can evaluate whether or not a business’s information is at risk.

Working on new projects

If your business is working on a new project, it may be a good idea to outsource IT work. An IT security consultant will be able to recommend best practices that will help you create a secure network from the beginning. They can continue to advise your business on the best way to protect security over the long term to protect your software through its development life cycle.

Network security is vital to all businesses, and outsourcing your IT can help make your business more secure. It’s a wise idea to outsource IT security to a dedicated company even if you have your own IT department. An IT security consultant or IT service company will have the right skills and experience to find vulnerabilities in your network and make changes to eliminate the chances of your business being the victim of a cyber attack. Using an IT security consultant will likely help your business to save money in the long run.

Move to the Cloud or Stay On-Premises?

Organizations and businesses of varying sizes are asking the critical question about whether to move to the cloud or remain on-premises. Smaller or newer companies may be wondering how to invest early capital. And more established companies may be considering if it’s worth the effort to transition their infrastructure to a new set of operations.

There are upsides and downsides to moving to the cloud or remaining on-premises. An organization must assess its current needs and potential changes in the future. To assist with this decision, we explore the differences between these two sets of resources and summarize the benefits or limitations that can be expected.

What are the differences?

For many years, the only offering for organizations and enterprises was to perform operations on a server that was housed internally. This internal server is also known as “on-premises.” However, a proliferation of new options has become available. Broadly, these options are servers hosted external to an organization, generally referred to as “the cloud.”

The most fundamental difference between on-premises and cloud computing is the location in which the server is housed. Generally, cloud services are offered by third parties that provide storage, computing, and applications for clients. In contrast, on-premises computing occurs when a client performs these same functions on a local server. The third-party providers will manage and maintain their servers on behalf of the client. Whereas on-premises computing requires that the client execute their management and maintenance of the server.

We explore both options’ advantages and disadvantages. A client can use this summary to determine if it is the right time to move to the cloud or remain on-premises.

When to move to the cloud

An organization or enterprise must assess its current operations to determine the proper type of computing. Making that decision will be assisted by understanding the various benefits or shortcomings of cloud or on-premises computing.

Benefits of cloud computing:

• Fewer IT costs: By outsourcing infrastructure management and maintenance to a third-party, organizations can reduce the costs of in-house IT teams. Further cost reduction can be found with the elimination of hardware or software assets.
• Fewer capital expenses: Moving to an external resource for cloud computing eliminates capital investments in equipment, installation, and software updates. Instead, an organization can transform the capital expense into an operational cost with a subscription-based model.
• Flexible budgeting: Many cloud-based computing solutions are offered with tailored subscriptions that can fit numerous budgets. This provides advantages for organizations that are scaling up or scaling down.

Limitations of cloud computing:

• Heavily reliant on the internet: Accessing remote servers requires a reliable and quality internet to perform all core functions. A slow or unreliable internet connection can result in difficulty accessing files or a poor user experience. In the case of an internet outage, access to files will be completely cut off.
• Concerns with security: Moving data and computing to external servers removes the ability to control or manage security risks. Third-party cloud providers may also be more highly targeted since they store large amounts of data.
• Long term costs: An organization must consider whether it’s a priority to have the most updated software. Costs for these updates are reflected in the price of the cloud subscription and may not be necessary for every organization.

Staying on-premises

Despite the proliferation of cloud resources, many organizations still find on-premises solutions preferable. The summary of advantages and disadvantages below may help an organization to determine if remaining on-premises continues to be the best fit for their needs.

Benefits to staying on-premises:

• Internet operations: This benefit is two-fold. For one, on-premises resources do not rely on the internet to access data, removing the risks of slow or lost connections. Secondly, costs associated with more significant internet usage are reduced. Even further, organizations may be able to operate without paying the higher price for high-speed connections or fast downloads.
• More security: On-premises operations are restricted exclusively to authorized personnel. Even more, they are commonly less accessible to or less targeted by digital crime threats.
• Customization: Software offered by third parties is likely to be less customizable to an organization’s specific needs. However, deploying software on-premises can commonly provide an organization the ability to tailor resources to niche goals or operations.

Limitations to staying on-premises:

• Fewer remote or mobile options: On-premises computing is more limited than cloud computing for remote employees or mobile work. Further, adding network or carrier services to on-premises resources will drive up costs to achieve more flexible access and the ability to work off-site.
• Initial set up: Challenges are presented to the deployment and costs of setting up on-premises operations. Purchasing and installing the necessary hardware and software takes more time than cloud-based alternatives, and the price for these resources is higher upfront.
• Scaling: There is commonly less flexibility for organizations to scale with on-premises infrastructures. When an organization adds users, the IT department must manually install the necessary hardware and software to meet higher demands.

Choosing to go hybrid

In some cases, an organization may consider a combination of cloud services and on-premises resources. This is commonly known as a hybrid deployment. Such circumstances involve using private or third-party cloud solutions for certain operations. But the hybrid approach continues to use on-premises resources as well.

A hybrid dynamic allows a client to collaborate in the cloud while keeping records or data on-premises. This permits the flexibility of a cloud’s mobile functions while retaining higher levels of control over data. Even more, organizations can maintain security protocols for on-premises data with the added benefit of scaling according to business needs.

Resources

There are many factors to consider for migrating to cloud solutions or maintaining on-premises infrastructures. An organization must wade through many critical decisions to determine the correct fit for the circumstances.

Network Coverage has assembled a set of technology and business solutions to support your organization in maneuvering through this complex and critical environment.

Set up a consultation with Network Coverage for experienced advice and support.

 

Sage Software: A Global Brand

Within a vastly expanding digital world, the options for software providers can seem endless. It often feels as though new software companies and solutions spring to life every day. However, this is also precisely what makes individual software companies feel as though they have been with us forever.

Sage is one of those software providers. Formed in 1981, the nearly four decades that the company has been offering its services gives them a firm hold as a legacy software company. It has become difficult to imagine a marketplace without this global brand. Servicing more than 6 million users worldwide, Sage has come a long way since its start in the UK. Now employing 13,000 employees, the software company first made its move to North American in 1998. Yet, it has continued to grow and expand. Sage’s customers are now spread across 23 countries around the world.

Having grown a software empire, Sage is now sought after by diverse industries. This article explores who uses the ubiquitous services of Sage’s diverse portfolio of products.

Who Uses Sage Software?

Sage was founded on the principle of automating accounting processes. Founder David Goldman developed software for these automated functions for his own business and realized it could be a viable resource for other companies.

Having become an industry leader in offering enterprise resource planning (ERP), Sage has expanded to include multiple services and platforms. The company’s primary focus provides services focused on accounting, payroll, and human resource management. Even more, Sage’s growth now encompasses software solutions for payment support and business management.

The suite of Sage products is useful for diverse industries, including retailers, contractors, human resources, project management, and any company requiring efficient payment for products or services.

Retailers

Retail and hospitality operations are using Sage solutions in practical and varied ways. For one, Sage is now offering a fully functioning point-of-sale (POS) system. Numerous retailers and hospitality providers adopt the customizable and straightforward layout of Sage’s POS, including integration capacities with other Sage software solutions.

The capabilities of Sage solutions for retail and hospitality range from integrated account solutions to native apps for sales and purchasing. Other features in use by these industries include the ability to source products globally while importing and exporting inventory management. A host of Sage integrations—including varied cloud platforms—also offer the capacity for real-time monitoring and optimized inventory. Monitoring of exchanges with suppliers has again proven to be a useful resource for maintaining quality and compliance. Retailers and hospitality companies are also using Sage for customer relationship management (CRM) and marketing.

Contractors

Sage has specially designed software products for contractors and construction companies. A quickly growing global construction market is projected north of $12 trillion by 2022. With such a vast opportunity, contractors are turning to robust technological solutions for maximizing revenue and profits. Sage builds on nearly four decades of expertise in the world of software to meet demands from contractors.

Cloud-based solutions have been centrally utilized by contractors from Sage’s robust suite of products and services. Contractors are using the innovations to boost efficiencies, increase the agility and productivity of a business, and build on their ability to generate collaboration between teams.

Many contracting businesses are witnessing the emergence of mobile workforces. Such a development has produced a growing need for services that provide accessibility from numerous locations. Contractors are readily utilizing Sage’s cloud-based solutions to meet this demand and achieve or maintain expansion and competitiveness in the highly valuable industry of contracting for construction and building.

Human Resources

Human resource companies and departments are widely using Sage products. Human resource providers use Sage to find and hire the ideal applicants for various positions within their company. With a vastly more competitive job market, HR services rely on the most advanced innovations to gain an edge while also reducing the strain of errors involved with ineffective recruitment.

Beyond searching and employing recruits, HR services also use Sage to optimize employee training and retention. Utilizing Sage’s Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), HR services gain various capacities. HRIS is being used to create online forms and reports while gaining access to personnel data that informs management decisions. HR providers are also using the Sage software to guide employee onboarding and enrollment. In addition, Sage is being accessed for support with secure databases of employee information and simple reporting that encourages necessary compliance standards.

Project Managers

Project managers in diverse fields are also turning to Sage to assist with their endeavors. Many project managers have identified the need to integrate accurate and reliable financial data to make rapid decisions that directly impact a project. To reduce the costs associated with delays, project managers use Sage software to integrate financial and project teams for real-time collaboration and data access.

Integrating accounting and project management systems is being used to reduce risks while saving time and money. Project managers can synchronize data that improves decision making and provides consistent information across the entire company. Improving contract management has also proven to be a valuable benefit for project managers using Sage, in addition to better managing and forecasting project costs.

Resources

The benefits of integrating Sage software solutions can be beneficial for diverse industries and purposes. A company or enterprise stands to improve productivity, increase security, and ensure critical data is accessible.

For experienced advice and support on implementing and managing useful software integrations, you can explore expert technology solutions for business strategy by setting up a consultation with Network Coverage.

What project management solutions does Sage integrate with?

The market for software solutions has experienced significant growth in recent years. An expanding array of options and opportunities has produced an environment that depends on collaboration. Existing software platforms are consistently focusing on offering integration capacities with a variety of different software solutions.

Now serving more than 6 million businesses worldwide, Sage is a market leader for accounting, payroll, and payment systems. However, the company offers numerous services. Sage also provides HR software, business intelligence, supply chain management, and more. As a result, integrating with Sage has become a priority for many project management platforms.

Inasmuch, a wide array of project management software tools now provide integration with various Sage products. Companies offering project management solutions range from service and professional industries to construction, architecture, and engineering providers. Some of the most popular integrations involve Sage Intacct, Sage 300 CRE, and Sage Timberline.

This article offers a list of some of the options for companies that provide project management platforms that offer integration opportunities with a broad set of Sage products.

Project Management Solutions that Integrate with Sage

The suite of software and service solutions offered by Sage has become extensive and far-reaching. As Sage has grown into a global influence as a company, it has become a priority for many project management platforms to provide integration with Sage software.

Below is a partial list of project management solutions that offer integration with various Sage products.

Mavenlink

Mavenlink began with a vision to simplify operations for service businesses. The company now offers enterprise-class SaaS solutions that support service organizations. A suite of products gives resources for projects, financials, collaboration, resource management, and business intelligence.

Cloud-based project delivery solutions from the company integrate with Sage Intacct ERP solution. They provide project management and resource management platforms that seamlessly integrate with a business’s existing process for syncing project activity, accelerating cash collection, and forecasting revenue.

BigTime

BigTime Software was founded to help professional service firms run more efficiently and improve profitability in the knowledge economy. The company’s primary offering is a SaaS-based system that is specialized for the professional service industry. This system is specifically designed to support accounting, architecture, engineering, consulting, creative, government contracting, IT services, and law firms.

The company offers an official Sage Intacct application that provides integration for data migration, submittable timesheets, invoices, and payments.

KeyedIn

KeyedIn’s purpose is to provide more effortless and more refined solutions for business processes through improvements to efficiency and productivity. While automating project management and service delivery workflows, its SaaS solution includes project portfolio management and professional services.

Integration between KeyedIn Projects and Sage Intacct allows for clarity into an organization’s project portfolio’s financial impact. The Sage integration also permits time and expense data to be captured for the goal of financial reporting.

Replicon

Replicon specializes in time-tracking applications to increase productivity, improve project visibility, eliminate revenue leakage, and maintain labor compliance. The company’s project management tools are designed to support managing project hours and costs, tracking project hours and expenses, and overseeing paid time off.

These various project management resources integrate with Sage Financials to allow the transfer of accounts, opportunities, and users. Once the connection with Sage has been established, Replicon’s services can plan work, track progress, and bill clients.

InEight

InEight offers construction project management software for owners, contractors, engineers, and architects. The insights from the company’s solutions help manage risk while scheduling projects and managing budgets. Project management services include planning, scheduling, risk, project costs, field execution management, and collaborative document management.

Software products from InEight provide integration with Sage 300+ and Sage Timberline. This integration with Sage 300+ allows for sending jobs, estimates, and field data. Integrations with Sage Timberline also permits sending jobs and estimates to Sage using a flexible GUI and user customization.

Procore

Procore offers a suite of project management tools that serve various types of construction projects. These projects include industrial plants, office buildings, apartment complexes, university facilities, retail centers, and more. The company’s project management resources focus on communication, access to accurate information, and project visibility.

Comprehensive cloud-based construction project management platforms provide integration with Sage 300 CRE. Procore’s project management solution imports myriad data from the Sage solution. Some of those data points include job codes and categories, estimates, commitments, costs, and contracts.

RedTeam

RedTeam identifies as a construction collaboration platform for managing projects on and off the service field. The company’s numerous solutions focus on project management, financials, and field management. Project management tools from RedTeam assist in the management of plans, workflows, scheduling, and documents.

Connection to Sage 300 CRE is available with RedTeam tools. Integration focuses on providing information for project management, vendor commitments, job costs, customer contracts, A/R and A/P transactions, and workflow authorization.

Resources

The benefits of integrating existing project management tools with Sage software can be critically beneficial. A company or enterprise stands to improve productivity, increase security, and ensure critical data is accessible.

For experienced advice and support on implementing and managing effective software integrations, you can explore expert technology solutions for business strategy by setting up a consultation with Network Coverage.

Data has become a household word and standard industry practice, especially over the past three decades. But humans have a long history of recording data. Early forms included tally marks on the walls of caves or stone tablets, commonly tracking inventories of food.

However, the amount and diversity of the collected data have consistently evolved and expanded. Early astrological studies and time-keeping data are also attributed to further analysis and scientific discovery. Perhaps the most remarkable growth in data collection developed in the 19^th century when population data was collected for census reports.

With the computer’s creation in the mid-20^th century, the rise of data collection and storage grew precipitously. Even further, computer innovations launched forward with the production of the internet in the 1990s. As the use of the internet expanded, the result has been a historically unprecedented amount of data collection, complexity, and analysis.

Businesses of all sizes now rely on some degree of data and analytics to operate. It has become a new standard to comprehend broad swaths of data and analyze these resources for business decisions.

This article examines an understanding of what constitutes data analytics and how it functions for a business.

What is data analytics?

The term data analytics broadly references the processes of collecting and assessing various sets of information. Multiple techniques can be employed to extract data and analyze patterns and trends that contribute to practical insight, inform further research, or decide on effective business strategies. Many of these techniques use intricate systems or software that can fuse automation with machine-learning algorithms and various other modalities.

Data analytics incorporates a wide diversity of methods and processes that can render it a difficult concept to define accurately. Towards that effort, a few examples of data analysis types can assist in understanding the numerous facets of data analytics.

Predictive analysis is a method of analyzing data that seeks to offer foresight about future events or outcomes. Data previously derived from past analysis is assessed and reported to provide predictions for forthcoming options. For instance, a business attempting to predict sales for the coming year will turn to data about past sales in an effort at foresight that can derive actionable decisions. Predictive analytics can also be applied to more complex predictions relating to qualified leads, risk assessment, or customer satisfaction.

Descriptive analysis has a primary focus of providing a report on events or outcomes that have previously occurred. By analyzing past data on a specific subject, descriptive analysis can portray what the data indicates. It is common to use descriptive analysis to assess key performance indicators (KPI), revenue, sales leads, and various other vital business components.

Diagnostic analysis serves to provide an answer to an essential question about why a particular scenario occurred. In other words, once descriptive analysis has been produced, a diagnostic analysis can provide insights as to the reasons for the data’s results. For instance, a business may witness sales growth in a specific demographic. Diagnostic analysis can give more awareness of how or why this growth in sales occurred, such as potential marketing efforts that produced more effective results.

Prescriptive analysis is a data analytics field that amalgamates the data from each of the three previously mentioned analysis types. By combining the collective analysis of the other three types, prescriptive analysis can provide actionable data. This is data that can be utilized to plan or implement strategies for a business.

Data Analytics for Business

Businesses may collect and analyze historical or trending data. The type of data collected depends on the intent for its use. Data may also be collected directly from customers, site visitors, or purchased from third parties. This data ranges widely in terms of content. Common interests for data often include information on customer demographics, interests, behaviors, and numerous other factors a business determines relevant.

It is essential to realize that data analytics are increasingly becoming more necessary across industries. Common associations of data analytics with marketing and internet commerce are a shortsighted mistake.

Broad diversity of businesses and industries can gain competitive advantages from data analysis insights, which is now more accessible than ever before. Companies can better understand their customer’s profiles, habits, and interests. This vital data can be used to inform decisions that maximize profits and customize user or customer experiences to increase efficiency and loyalty.

Implementing data analytics for business

A few core tenets will assist in optimizing the results a business produces from its data analysis. Figuring out what data to collect is a first step for many companies. Data can be derived from social media, GPS, and other like technology, transaction information, and various other sources.

Evaluating the accuracy and pertinence of data is also critical. Data can be collected and analyzed, but this does not guarantee its accuracy or applicability to a business’s goals or strategy. Assessing how the data was collected can be a practical first step in checking for flaws, inaccuracies, or relevance.

Finally, data should be conceptualized for actionable steps. A business’s data analytics should present the vast and obscure data sets into informational representations that are accessibly understood. These representations must then be applied to actions that can elevate chances for success. A company may want to increase security, drive traffic to its website, refine customer service, or directly build revenue.

Learning to assess and implement data analytics can require significant effort. But expertly trained and highly resourced support is available to assist with these complex and critical endeavors.

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The benefits of data analytics are now widely accessible and vital to businesses of all sizes. A company or enterprise stands to reduce costs, improve productivity, increase security, and ensure critical data is available and accurately analyzed.

Implementing and maintaining data analytics tools for your business can be complicated and require support. Specialists at Network Coverage can assist in this essential and ongoing process.

For experienced advice and support on designing and implementing effective BI systems, you can explore expert technology solutions for business strategy by setting up a consultation with Network Coverage.

Understanding Ransomware

We are all familiar with media representations of kidnap and ransom. A child of a wealthy or powerful parent is taken from the playground, and then a note is sent demanding cash for their release. Imagine something similar happening to your business—except the child is your data, and it doesn’t matter if you’re filthy rich or not. But the demand for money remains the same.

In more technical terms, ransomware is a type of malware that will take your data hostage. It will typically accomplish this by infiltrating your system with a phishing scam or website infection—taking advantage of even small vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals can halt your computer or phone or other devices by moving from one endpoint to the next, discovering and collecting data before securing it through encryption. These hackers are commonly well-equipped to leave no trace behind, permitting them to safely ransom the mined data back to its owner or sell it on the dark web.

A critical challenge with ransomware is that there are very few solutions available once it gains access to a given system. Almost any effort to mitigate costs to a business is impossible.

Thankfully, because many of the vulnerabilities associated with ransomware tactics are well known, there are courses of action that can be taken to avoid and manage the impact of this cybercrime.

How much of a threat is ransomware?

The Small Business Administration estimates that “ransomware attacks are the fastest growing malware threats. On average, more than 4,000 ransomware attacks have occurred daily since January 1, 2016.”

A recent IBM study estimates a 6,000% uptick in ransomware attacks. Despite this astonishing rise of the threat, most businesses and people are ill-equipped to deal with it. Researchers concluded that one in four people “have no idea” how to respond if they are victims of a ransomware attack. US statistics point to a stark 63% of businesses professing a ransomware infiltration, and 47% saying they had multiple invasions, according to a cyber and technology expert at Hiscox USA. The cost of crimes is commonly in the hundreds of billions each year.

In more straightforward, less statistical terms, ransomware is a massive threat. The necessity for businesses to recognize this reality is critical to survival.

How to protect your business from the threat of ransomware?

We will begin with some basics and progress toward more advanced and technical strategies.

Basic Measures

Because ransomware is so insidious and effective once it has infiltrated your system, a bulk of how to protect against the threat is a proactive effort at defense. The front line of many protection efforts can begin with educating employees. Informing your staff about the warning signs, safest practices, and the most effective responses are massively helpful toward threat prevention. Make it a policy to use strong passwords on all accounts, utilizing at least eight characters, in a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers. Encourage employees to exercise caution with any email links. In addition, use strong, multifactor authentication whenever and wherever possible.

Advise employees against opening any attachments or downloading files from addresses that are not well known and trusted. If your business does not have a dedicated IT department or outside IT support, hold employees accountable for keeping all business-related devices updated with software and automizing updates for antivirus and antimalware solutions. This is not a complete list, but it is a good starting tutorial for building a staff that can be the first line of defense.

Also, take an organizational and managerial approach to protect against the threat of ransomware. There are myriad ways of employing these strategies. Managing the use of privileged accounts is vital, restricting users from installing or running software applications on network devices. Make sure to perform regular and routine system backups—offline and online—to speed up any potential recovery process. Be sure to store the backup data on a separate device and offline. Annually running tests on your system for any plausible penetration zones is highly recommended.

In a worst-case scenario, consider options for Cyber Liability insurance to minimize the impact of a possible attack.

Advanced (more technical) Measures

Any efforts to protect your business against ransomware are about having a plan and executing it, whether to avoid an attack, thwart an active attack, or recover from an attack. It is essential to be able to identify the scale of an attack, mitigate it quickly, and protect any technology that has avoided infiltration. Isolating tech that has been infected will assist in containing the extent of an attack. Once you have followed the earlier steps, you can restore from offline backups with care, while updating and patching machines in the places they are vulnerable.

It is vital to make law enforcement aware of any breach. Management can contact the FBI amid an invasion, and a police report can be filed after the fact. Because it is never a guarantee that your data will be returned if you pay a ransom, the FBI advises against this action.

Implementing endpoint solutions is also crucial in defending against an attack and providing the offense to derail malicious efforts. Solutions should help you find, patch, and report on all endpoints, without being restricted by location, bandwidth, or connectivity. And despite what operating system you are using or your network’s capacity, any endpoint solution you implement should provide software inventory and asset capabilities that permit you to efficiently spot patch levels, software versions, and configurations. Also, explore options that integrate with other prominent applications for security, including network access control (NAC), incident response (IR), or security information and event management (SIEM).

You may want to consider configuring access controls based on privilege. Limit access to writing files, directories, or shares for only those employees who necessitate for their job responsibilities. Take into consideration the disabling of macro scripts and Remote Desktop Protocol. Look into employing Software Restriction Policies (SRP) or other similar methods to limit programs that execute from common ransomware locations, including temporary folders that support Internet browsers or compression and decompression programs.

Keep in mind that criminals and ransomware are continually evolving. It is important to remain proactive and systematic with any approach, regularly seeking education and research on new vulnerabilities and infiltration methods.

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Identifying, managing, or rebuilding from the threat of ransomware is an ongoing and exhaustive endeavor. If you are looking for further guidance on technology and business solutions, you can schedule a consultation with Network Coverage today.