With the rise of digital transformations comes an increased concern about internet security. Symantec reported that approximately 978 million people in 20 different countries were affected by cybercrime in 2017, resulting in a colossal $114 billion loss in cash for Canadians alone, in 12 months. Shockingly, 35% of Canadians don’t have up-to-date security software that can protect themselves and their businesses against cybercrime. Unfortunately, with the increase in technology comes an increase in vulnerability. Add in the fact that technology isn’t going anywhere, it’s imperative to have proper security measures put in place to protect both your staff and consumers, as well as the infrastructure of your business that houses the most crucial data and documents.

What is Changing in Cyber Security

Due to the drastic findings regarding cybercrime, the industry has made some significant changes as of late to further protect businesses from beginning victims of such a costly – and preventable disaster.

Internet of Things

Internet of Things (IoT) or EoT (Enterprise of Things) is a system of connected computing devices and machines, has implemented new security measures to protect businesses from the new types of threats being presented as a risk today.
Encryption of data is certainly one of the most significant changes and one that presents many benefits to businesses utilizing an IoT infrastructure. This new security feature protects data on servers and endpoints, both when at rest and in-transit to ensure vital information is only shared within the corporate network.
This is a key security measure to have in place, as a hack of your IoT endpoint can result in all systems shutting down which has the potential to threaten the safety of both your business and its employees.

Social Media

With social media being one of the top technology shifts for businesses and an absolute necessity for marketing, one must consider the security risks that come with using it. While the platforms do ask for approval prior to sharing information with a third-party, it’s highly recommended to have a cybersecurity process put in place that is inclusive to all corporate workstations, such as mobile devices for employees, firewall restrictions, and network security.

Cloud Computing

As businesses undergo a digital transformation, cloud computing is becoming the premium choice for sharing data within the business. However, not all clouds are created equal. While public clouds, such as Google Docs, are often the cost-effective solution, there is a risk that comes with it as data and applications are stored in service provider clouds. As a result, you have limited control over the security measures put in place.
As such, private and hybrid cloud computing software have taken precedence in the business world recently, as a result of the increased control you receive, as well as the enhanced security measures implemented into the systems.

Mobile Devices on the Corporate Network

With most, if not all of your employees utilizing a mobile phone on a daily basis while on premises, it’s crucial to consider the security that comes with it, particularly for those on the corporate network. Smartphones are essentially mini-computers and they need to be infused with security technologies and practices that your business uses on desktops, laptops and other devices.
Many mobile device companies are now offering management and security solutions that allow you to manage mobile phones on the corporate network from an on-premise interface. Often times, this can be implemented simply by adding an application onto the phone which then gives you full control over application restrictions, backups and restores, security swipes if the phone is misplaced, etc.

Malware, online scams, and phishing at the most common types of cybercrime in Canada and businesses of all sizes are not exempt from these threats. As such, all businesses need to have a security progress in place to ensure secure operating systems and appliances well throughout their infrastructure.

Technology is getting yet another upgrade and it’s all happening in the Intel Xeon Server chipset. With the new, scalable processors you’ll be able to “drive actionable insight, count on hardware-based security and deploy dynamic service delivery”, but what does that really mean for HCI and Tier-3 solutions customers? We take a look at the future of Intel Xeon Server chipset to discover the power these compact pieces of technology are about to unleash on the world.

The Future of Intel Xeon Scalable Processors

The new Intel Xeon Scalable processors are described as being the chipset that can “support your hybrid cloud infrastructure and most demanding applications”, equipped with everything from artificial intelligence, analytics, autonomous driving, network transformation, high-performance computing and much more.
Inarguably, the biggest feature of these new scalable processors is that despite offering more agility, scalability and density, Intel Xeon scalable chipsets also come with a 50% increase in memory channels and 20% more PCle* lanes than what the previous generations had available. These revolutionary scalable chipsets come with a brand-new core that is built specifically for this exclusive collection of scalable processors, and they’re designed to support the diverse workload needs of the future. It’s a combination of storage, network and computing in one, offering optimal performance, fast data compression and cryptography, hardware-enhanced security, and excellent efficiency.

The Intel Xeon Server Chipset Specs:

Here’s a breakdown of the specs that, inarguably, are a giant leap for both mankind and the tech industry:
• Average performance of 1.73X across key industry-standard workloads
• 2X flops/cycle when used with Intel® Advanced Vector Extensions 512 which enables large gains in most HPC apps
• Perfect to deliver 2.4X interference performance and 2.2X higher deep learning training than previous generations
• Supports up to 4.2X more VMs
• Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum options

Intel Xeon Bronze Processor

The Intel Xeon Bronze Processor is the most affordable scalable chipset available. It’s highly ideal for small businesses in need of quality performance and basic storage, but who also want the hardware-enhanced security, reliability and availability provided.
• 8.25 MB L3 Cache (3104 Version) or 11MB L3 Cache (3106 Version)
• Choice of 6 or 8 Cores
• Choice of 6 or 8 Threads
• 85.0 W Max TDP
• 1.70 GHz Clock Speed

Intel Xeon Silver Processor

The Intel Xeon Silver Processor provides a slight upgrade to the Bronze options, offering essential power efficiency and performance, moderate network, compute and storage, and improved memory speed.
• 6 Versions to Choose From
• Choice of 11 – 16.5 MB L3 Cache
• Choice of 8 – 12 Cores
• Choice of 16 – 24 Threads
• Choice of 70 or 85.0 W Max TDP
• 2.60 GHz Clock Speed
• 3.00 GHz Max Turbo Frequency

Intel Xeon Gold Processor

The Intel Xeon Gold Processor is where you’ll truly start to experience the optimized workload performance, advanced reliability, increased memory speed, interconnects, capacity and more. It’s also the beginning of the enhanced 2-4 socket scalability which is not offered with the bronze and silver options.
• 28 Versions to Choose From
• MB L3 Cache Ranges from 16.5 – 30.25
• Choice of 4 – 20 Cores
• Choice of 8 – 28 Threads
• Up to 160 W Max TDP
• Up to 3.00 GHz Clock Speed
• Up to 3.70 GHz Max Turbo Frequency
Intel Xeon Platinum Processor

The Intel Xeon Platinum Processor is the be all end all of Intel’s scalable processors. It’s designed to provide the best performance for demanding, mission-critical AI, hybrid-cloud workloads and analytics, has uncompromising security for 2,4,8+ socket processors, and much more. It’s impeccably revolutionary.
• 12 Versions to Choose From
• MB L3 Cache Ranges from 16.5 – 38.5
• Choice of 4 – 28 Cores
• Choice of 8 – 56 Threads
• Up To 205.0 W Max TDP
• 3.60 GHz Clock Speed
• 3.80 GHz Max Turbo Frequency

The changes that will follow such a breakthrough technology will be monumental. Technology will become faster, stronger and more powerful, which will result in a massive digital transformation to data centers and network infrastructures.

Just when you think computers couldn’t get any faster, the industry releases a new form of technology that is better in all possible aspects. The most recent change occurred within the computer storage sector, offering industry-leading speed for a surprisingly affordable price, known as Solid State Drives (SSD), along with even faster flash storage memory technology, known as Non-Volatile Memory Express (NVMe). While both are revolutionary forms of speedy storage technology, there are many key components that separate the two into their own categories. Today, we take a deeper look at the two computer storage options to determine what these new state-of-the-art technologies bring to the table.

The Storage Power Behind SSD

Solid State Drives (SSD) are non-volatile flash memories used in place of a traditional hard drive. A key component to SSD drives is that they don’t have an actuator arm like traditional hard-disk drives need in order to read and write data. In fact, SSD drives have zero moving parts, which contributes largely to their name “solid state”, as well as their low failure rate, impeccably fast speed, and lightweight. Instead, SDD use memory chips (typically NAND) to read and write data via an electric charge.

In terms of performance, SSD drives don’t fall short in this realm either. Computers using SSD drives boot and shut down significantly faster than those without; they respond quicker to demands, opening applications within seconds; have higher transfer rates, low to zero delays and ultimately work more smoothly, with zero noise.

How NVMe Storage Comes into Play

NVMe storage devices are non-volatile memory expresses, which is different from flash memory drives. Instead, NVMe storage is a communications interface for host control and storage protocol, designed to enhance the transfer process of data between different systems and SSDs. It is not a storage drive, but rather, a component built to further improve the power of an SSD.
When compared to Serial Attach SCSI and Serial ATA, despite offering a plethora of bandwidth for hard drives, SSDs are still the fastest option, especially when combined with NVMe, with the largest capacity being up to 2TB.
NVMe drives are currently available in various forms, with the two most common ones being M.2 and PCI Express add-in cards. These can be used to update an older system or device to add extra storage space and to enhance the overall performance of the system.

The Exponential Benefits of NVMe SSDs

SSDs offer a wide array of benefits. When combined with NMVe, the benefits get even greater. However, the benefits go far beyond the fast speeds offered and extend well into the following:
• Available in various shapes and sizes
• More versatile than alternative options
• Longer lifespan than traditional hard drives
• Malfunction far less than traditional hard drives
• Small and lightweight
• Less heat buildup
• Ability to read and write data at impeccable speeds
• No moving parts to eliminate lifespan limitations
• Highly durable and reliable
• Becoming increasingly more affordable

The Specific Benefits of NVMe

While NVMe storage is a component of SSDs, it’s crucial to understand the specific benefits that they offer, as not all SSDs come with them. In fact, there are several choices you have when it comes to SSDs, with NVMe being considered one of the best for several reasons, including but not limited to the following:
• Reduction in time and cost, due to the fast speed
• Built to withstand “Big Data” and relational databases with heavy workloads
• Faster speeds allow for decisions to be made in real-time and decision-based
• Quicker job completion
• Maximize the number of requests sent to an SSD
• Receive multiple requests from different processor cores
• Reduce total cost of ownership for mobilized businesses

Both SSD and NVMe are compelling forms of technology that make even the fastest (or slowest) devices even faster. Since their release, alternative options have continued to be displaced, due to the speed, lower total cost of ownership and performance enhancement. So, whether you choose to input an SSD or an NVMe SSD, the benefits are unlike anything the tech industry has seen before.

Adobe Creative Cloud recently released their latest innovations, offering new features and new ways to create and collaborate. The new features are included in your membership, and if you have yet to explore the new features provided, here is a quick breakdown of the best benefits that follow the latest update.

An Upgraded Experience within the Photography Programs

One of the most significant changes in Adobe Creative Cloud has occurred within Adobe Lightroom CC. This program now has an all-new cloud-based photo platform, allowing for creative solutions to be made from various locations, which also allows for employees to effectively collaborate all on one interface.
Adobe Photoshop has been updated with new performance and masking tasks, allowing for easy importation, generation, and organization of photos, as well as a more effective way to make colour and tone-based selections. The program is also equipped with a new in-app search where you can find tools, menus, assets, help, tutorials, and panels quickly. It also comes with updates to the Curvature Pen tool and performance, allowing you to digitally paint faster, smoother and better.
Both Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop also have a new Creative Cloud Photography plan, equipped with powerful editing tools, automatic backups, auto-searched, optimal organization and cloud-based services for efficient collaboration.
Lastly, Adobe Spark received an update that allows for the creation of graphics, video stores and web pages to be done quickly and effectively, with easy implementation of brand elements such as logos and colours.

Easier, Creative Solutions within the Design Programs

Graphic designed benefit drastically from the new Adobe Creative Cloud, with many of the design programs receiving vital updates. Adobe Dimension CC, formerly Project Felix, now has new features that make it easy for graphic designers to create 2D and 3D properties. As a result, what used to be incredibly time-consuming mages, such as product shots and scene visualizations, can now be generated quickly, effectively and significantly simpler
Adobe Illustrator also received various updates, allowing for easier generation and modifications of various components of a vector graphic have never been easier, as you no longer have to adjust anchor points or individual paths in order to make changes to your graphics.
Adobe InDesign CC

Revolutionary Technologies Implemented into the Web UX/UI Programs

From coding to designs; prototypes and cameras, the new updates within the Web UX/UI programs in Adobe Creative Cloud make it easier to design with customers in mind. Adobe XD CC provides an all-in-one solution when building and designing mobile apps and websites, as it now allows you to share interactive user experiences to strengthen the design, prototype, and collaboration of each project.
Adobe Dreamweaver CC has been updated with a more modern look, an enhances workspace for developers and a more intuitive program for coding designers.
The new updates in Adobe Animate CC have integrated a virtual camera and enhanced tools to help create field-of-depth in your animations.

Effortlessly Create and Collaborate with the New Updates within the Videography Programs

The new updates in Adobe Creative Cloud present you with top-of-the-line technologies that coincide with the digital trends of today. With the latest updates in Adobe After Effects CC, you can now implement alluring 360 and virtual reality effects and transitions to generate flawless motion graphics using unique data-driven animations. Premiere Pro can even automatically detect when your VR video is stereoscopic or monosporic, and then, apply the appropriate settings. The updates also come with improved motion graphics templates that can be edited by other team members in Adobe Premiere Pro, as well as faster effects and speedy performance with the faster Adobe Dynamic Link workflow provided in Premiere Pro. You also receive a set of new Lumetri colour pickers, better support for colour space metadata, the ability to streamline video editing and much more.
Adobe Audition CC now comes with powerful and fully customizable workflows, along with auto-features that allow for effortless performance enhancement. One of the most significant improvements to Adobe Audition CC is that music will now automatically lower (auto-ducking) when dialogue and other sounds are detected. However, you also receive the new real-time audio feature which gives you better sounding output and improved precision across all projects. The update also comes with an improvement to multichannel audio, making it easier to mix, edit and produce powerful audio content.
With the latest updates in Adobe Character Animator CC, you receive access to new triggers and control panels to make your animations come to life. Notably, these new controls allow you to organize your character movements all in one location and also allow for easier blending of pose-to-pose and Physics behaviours.
Both Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe After Effects have a new live text template that allows you to share live text between the two programs. As a result, the fonts will automatically sync and update across all of your projects.

The updated Adobe Creative Cloud offers a vast array of features and benefits. However, they all seem to have one thing in common and that is increased performance, easier processes for improved productivity and better collaboration between team members and Adobe programs. Regardless, whether you’re working solo or with a group, Adobe Creative Cloud now has all the features you need to work effectively, efficiently and easily.

Microsoft recently made significant changes to their relational database management system to provide a wider variety of support for business intelligence, analytics applications and transactional processing for those within corporate IT industries. In response to this new change, Microsoft’s new operating system is quickly being dubbed as one of the leading database technologies, offering revolutionary technology to IT professionals and other professions utilizing database administrators. Today, we discuss the new features of the Microsoft SQL and how they will benefit your business.

What is Microsoft SQL?

Microsoft SQL is the new operating system which can be run on Windows, Linux and in Docker containers. This new change comes with a vast array of advanced features and improvements to the speed of the operating system. Some of the top improvements being recognized include:
• Choice of developmental language on all platforms and data-types
• Available on Windows, Linux and Docker containers
• Improved performance and scalability
• Increased availability for intelligent applications and data management warehouses
• Optimal security for data when at rest and in motion
• Real-time analytics for businesses
• Ability to turn data into decisions

What to Expect from Database Security

Microsoft SQL server is the least vulnerable database the tech industry has seen in the last seven years. It has the power to protect data, at rest and in motion, with encrypted database backups, CLR strict security which enhances the security CLR assemblies, trackable changes in each database file, smart backup solutions and much more.
This is a notable improvement to the Microsoft operating system, as databases are often the heart of a business, housing valuable data pertaining to employees, customers, finances, transactions, etc. Microsoft SQL protects the integrity, confidentiality and availability of your business’s database with layers of security that counter all types of security threats.

The Benefits of Using Microsoft SQL on Docker Containers

Inarguably, one of the most significant benefits to the new Microsoft SQL operating system is its compatibility with Docker containers. Docker containers are similar to virtual machines with the main difference being that instead of turning one server into many, docker containers can run multiple containers as isolated processes on the same. By isolating the software from its surroundings, you receive optimal security and versatility, while also limiting compute and RAM usage. Containers take up less space and start almost instantaneously, and are essential for businesses undergoing a digital transformation.
Before Microsoft SQL, businesses would have to execute lengthy server setups on each operating system, which can lead to discrepancies or the server breaking altogether.
With the recent changes to the Microsoft operating system, Microsoft SQL can be used on Docker containers to mobilize and modernize businesses without any prerequisites or time-consuming setup.

SQL vs. Oracle

Oracle and Microsoft SQL are similar in the sense that they’re both leading relational database management systems, with many of the same features. However, there are also several key differences that separate the two in their own repertoire.
Notably, the language that both systems use is a key difference. While both use Structured Query Language, SLQ uses Transact SQL whereas Oracle uses Procedural Language; both have different capabilities, particularly in the way in which they handle variables and store procedures.
SQL also offers different transaction control than Oracle, offering default execution of each individual command/task. Oracle, o the other hand, treats each database connection as a new transaction. As such, changes are only made in memory prior to committing them to disk.
Additionally, Microsoft SQL has optimal organizational tools, separating tables, procedures, views, objects, etc. by database titles. As a result, access can be given to different users to specific databases. Oracle groups all data together by schemas and shares the information with each user.

Replicating Windows SQL to Linux SQL

Microsoft SQL server on Windows is essentially the same on SQL server on Linux. With replication, you can utilize a set of technologies to copy and distribute data and objects from one database to another. Then, you’re able to synchronize the databases for consistency. This allows businesses to share data with different locations, including remote and mobile users. However, it’s worth mentioning that read-scale replicas can only be used for one-way data replication between Windows and Linux.

Microsoft SQL is the new operating system that allows businesses to execute a quick and effective digital transformation to increase operations, productivity, security and success. It can be used on Windows, Linux and Docking containers, making it one of the leading database technologies that is revolutionizing the way businesses operate today.

The business landscape has seen a significant change as of late, as more businesses opt for a digital transformation. However, this technical shift goes beyond simply implementing shiny new tech devices. Instead, it’s about updated development processes, the IT infrastructure, business practices, technologies and more. Here are the top transformational IT trends for 2018 that can turn your business into a mobilized powerhouse.

Cloud Computing Platforms

One of the most significant transformation IT trends for 2018 pertains to cloud computing platforms. As more businesses expand, it’s crucial to have a cloud service that allows for quick, secure and efficient transfers. As such, it’s predicted that 2018 will present more mega-clouds and multi-cloud services to handle the complexity of a digital transformation.

Artificial Intelligence

With the rising popularity of devices such as Siri, Alexa, automated customer service chats, and much more, AI (Artificial Intelligence) is expected to be a key component to a digital transformation. This revolutionary technology allows businesses to connect and communicate with their customers quickly and efficiently, which can enhance user-experience and overall rapport while freeing up employees’ time for other tasks.

IoT Devices and Strategies

IoT-Related business models are expected to take precedence in 2018, as more businesses look to explore the potential of the internet. IoT (Internet of Things) strategies are implemented to find new ways to provide value to customers, and to improve the current strategies used. Often times, these strategies rely heavily on the use of smart technologies and connectivity, but also involve design, user-experience, analytics, edge computing, development applications, big data and much more.

Relational Databases

Speaking of data, relational databases are a key factor when implementing a digital transformation, as they allow for data to be identified and accessed data when in relations to other data within the database. In other words, with the use of relational databases, businesses no longer have to store all information in one long tab delimited file, nor do they have to spend a significant amount of time searching for specific information or creating reports for each record. As such relational databases have the ability to improve productivity and efficiency, while also decreasing the risk of error.

Digital Apps with Alluring UX

With more customers using their mobile devices to fulfill their needs, businesses undergoing a digital transformation need to consider the power of having a digital app with a pleasant UX. Applications on smartphones allow customers to take control of their needs, without any delays. This can result in a better customer experience and quick conversions, while also freeing up time for employees to focus on detail-oriented tasks.
However, it isn’t enough to simply have an engaging app. It’s crucial for your business app to be customer-friendly and infused with smart technologies to further enhance the customer experience. Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality are two new technologies expected to take precedence over the course of 2018. Augmented Reality technologies allow customers to use the app to view their physical location, whereas Virtual Reality stimulates a user experience through perception. Both can be used by various types of businesses, from real estate to retail stores; IT businesses, health care providers and every industry in between.

Arguably, the most significant transformation IT trend for 2018 is that a digital transformation is a must for all businesses. It will become increasingly difficult for businesses to hold rank without the use of smart technologies, such as cloud computing platforms, artificial intelligence, IoT devices, relational databases, digital applications and much more. In fact, it’s predicted that the longer businesses wait to implement a digital transformation, the harder it’ll be to remain successful moving forward.

With the right automation tools, you can change the course of your business. Automation tools allow you to take advantage of control systems and technologies to complete repetitive IT tasks, resulting in extensive benefits that can drastically improve your business and operations as a whole. In an effort to you show you just how powerful automation tools can be for your business, here are the most important benefits you receive when implementing an automation system to complete repetitive IT tasks.

Increase Staff Availability

Freeing up availability for your IT techs is one of the most significant benefits of using an automatize computer system, as it leads to all the rest. With the right automation tools, the repetitive daily IT tasks that don’t require specific, hands-on attention can be completed automatically, which increases availability for your techs which can be spent working on other, complex, highly technical tasks that require their diligence.

Improve Work Flow

The workflow of your business directly plays a role in the overall productivity and success of each day. By implementing automation technologies into your business infrastructure, daily, repetitive IT tasks are completed quickly and efficiently, as automation tools produce work faster. This eliminates any delays in the overall flow, particularly in sequences where the IT tasks are a prerequisite job that needs to be completed prior to moving forward.

Enhance Productivity

Productivity is an obvious benefit of adopting automation tools. The more automation you have within your business processes, the higher the work capacity becomes. Add in the benefits of shorter delivery times and improved business operations, and automation tools can drastically increase productivity.

Ensure Reliability

Reliability is at the foundation of all successful IT departments. Without it, a positive UX experience can be difficult to come by, for both your team members and customers. This can drastically affect customer service and rapport, which can be detrimental to your business as a whole. Fortunately, with the advanced technology of today, automation tools are a reliable solution to many concerns within the IT industry. Some of the most repetitive IT tasks are the ones that are most error-prone, as they don’t require one to use their technical skills to complete. By removing the human factor, you can eliminate most processing errors. Additionally, automation tools ensure all tasks are completed, not only successfully but also, at the time they’re required.

Reduce Costs

Every business is looking to reduce costs where possible; this can be detrimental to a company if not done properly. With automation tools, you’re able to reduce costs by enhancing computer capabilities, instead of reducing them. Additionally, the increase in staff availability, workflow, productivity and reliability will also contribute to a reduction in cost, as less time is spent completing tasks where highly-trained technical skills aren’t required. Utilizing automation tools to complete repetitive IT tasks improves all the processes and provides all the benefits needed to advance your business. Implementing them is just as easy. Zycom offers a wide range of It management, support and technologies that allow you to take advantage of the power of automation.