Satya Nadella On Microsoft's New Age Of Intelligence

"Microsoft was born to do a certain set of things. We're about empowering people in organizations all over the world to achieve more. In today's world, we want to use AI to achieve that." That's Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, crisply explaining the company's artificial-intelligence vision in an interview with Fast Company. Read the article for a look at how Microsoft aims to tie everything from Cortana to HoloLens to Office to Azure into one amazing AI experience.

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Security Is Not Privacy

Do you know the difference between security and privacy? Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they are quite different. And both are crucial to business longevity. Check out this thought leadership article to help you get started.

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3 ways modern sales productivity technologies drive results for high-growth SMBs

This article explores the ways in which sales productivity technologies help SMBs move toward higher automation for simplified tasks and what it is that makes some tools more effective than others.

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How Modern BI Delivers Insights to Anyone, Anywhere, At Any Time.

By the 2020s, only 25% of companies on the S&P 500 will be ones that exist today. An astounding 75% will be companies not on the index today. Check out this infographic to for an overview of how Power BI helps organizations thrive in a world of change by delivering insights to anyone, anywhere at any time.

View: How Modern BI Delivers Insights to Anyone, Anywhere, At Any Time.

Customer story: Presentation Studio

Sydney-based company Presentation Studio specializes in writing and designing sleek, professional presentations across the Asia-Pacific region. As the company expanded in proportion to the demand for its product, company leaders at Presentation Studio knew they needed to upgrade to a secure, cloud-based platform, so they partnered with Microsoft 365. They are using productivity and collaboration tools that allow employees to work remotely and work together across a multitude of apps and devices, plus enterprise-grade security features keep sensitive data safe from cyberattacks.

Windows laptop and desktop encryption. Is there a cost effective simple solution?

Encryption is one of the safest and most cost effective technologies available to secure data. Governing bodies mandate the usage of encryption to ensure data at rest or in transmit is secure. Some of the standards out there include HIPAA, PCI, SOX, etc. all of which have a high reliance on a proper implementation.

** PLEASE WORK WITH YOUR IT DEPARTMENT OR CONSULTANT **** GOVERNANCE NEEDS DICTATE THE TOOLS YOU WOULD NEED **

This article is to discuss some of the options available that are cost effective for small businesses and individuals that use Microsoft based operating systems such as Windows 7 Professional.

Three viable cost effective options for small businesses and individuals

1) BitLocker (FREE FEATURE WITH WINDOWS 10 UPGRADE - LIMITED TIME)
BitLocker s a built-in encryption feature that Microsoft has made available in the later versions of Windows. The software allows you to encrypt and hard drives and have them available on other systems without the need for special software programs.

If you are running Windows 7 Professional or above or Windows 8.1 Professional, you are eligible for the FREE  Windows 10 upgrade that unlocks this feature, but time is running out.

2) Disk Cryptor (http://www.diskcryptor.net/wiki/Main_Page) (FREE)
Open Source Microsoft Windows Encryption software that is compatible with all the different Microsoft Based operating systems. You can force your system to prompt for a password every time the system is booted.

3) VeraCrypt (https://www.idrix.fr/) (FREE)
Another open ource Microsoft Windows Encryption software that is compatible with all the different Microsoft Based operating systems. The code is based on the end of lifed TrueCrypt software. You can force your system to prompt for a password every time the system is booted.

Three viable cost effective options for mid size businesses (more than 10 computers/workstations)1) Symantec End Point Encryption (Popular product based on PGP)
2) Sophos SafeGuard Encryption
3) McAfee Complete Data Protection

Encryption methodologies when used effectively, can protect you, your organization, and your clients.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.