Leadpile's Blog» Technology

Share The IT Role With Your Organization

Oscar Reynoso — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 17:33:03 +0000

As we continue to incorporate technology into our business, it’s important that many businesses start incorporating their Information Systems Department (ISD) into their business organization. Traditionally, the day to day operations of a business and those of the ISD were completely separate from each other. The ISD’s main functions were to manage systems and infrastructure development, computer operations and training in IS (Information Skills).

Recently those functions have evolved, and they did so because of one important role: the end user. The end user has transformed the main functions of the ISD from a technical to a more consultative function. This transformation has lead to a creation of a partnership between the ISD and the end user which has created a very vital relationship between the both. No longer is the ISD just an IT department, they now use IT as tool to solve many problems that end users face on a daily basis. In return, end users also benefit the ISD by recommending different uses of an organizations information resource to help a business run more efficiently.

As an organization’s computing needs get more complicated, it becomes very difficult for the ISD to fully manage all of the organization’s information resource, and this is where the end user can share more of the ISD’s responsibilities. In complicated organizations, like Hospitals, banks and other large corporations, the ISD can’t simply manage the organizations information resources itself, it has to heavily rely or share the role with the end user. The end user can then help manage the information resources at the department level and the ISD can manage those at a corporate level. This type of structure helps larger or complex organizations become more effective because information resources at a department level are managed by the end users, who are directly using those resources. The ISD can then gear their focus to more complicated information resources that can help the organization as whole become more effective.

There’s no question that the role of the ISD has dramatically changed from a technical to a consultative function, but as managing information resources get more complicated, it’s more important that the end user and the ISD work closely together so they can innovate and create solutions to help the organization run more effectively. Therefore, creating a relationship that is perfectly balanced between the ISD and the end user should be a strategic goal for every business at any size.

Metallic Glass for iPhone

Nicky — Wed, 18 May 2011 17:39:02 +0000

In efforts to further improve the iPhones, maufacurers are putting together a metallic glass to replace the current models. The metallic part would prevent the phone from cracking or breaking as easily, while the glass components still maintain the strength.
This used to be a very expensive process for manufacturers, making it difficult to produce high volume of these products. Thanks to recent technological advances, they have found a process that costs about the same as it does to produce plastic. Although there are no finalized plans yet, the idea is being entertained and may be a feature of the phone in the future making it much more durable and without ridiculous prices.

Internet use catches up to TV

Nicky — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 22:19:18 +0000

While people ranging from ages 18-30 have been spending more time on the Internet as opposed to the television, others ranging from age 32-44 are starting to do the same. A recent Forrester study revealed that people are spending more time on the Internet than they are watching TV, and it is up 121% since 2005. The average time people in the U.S. use the television is 13 hours, which is now the same as internet use. The rise of Broadband has contributed to these technological advances. E-Commerce remains the main interest on the Internet, followed by social networking which was accelerated because of the utilization of Facebook and other social networks.

Getting Rid of an Old PC

Nicky — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 16:53:19 +0000

With so many advances in technology, people are constantly buying new computers and updating to the latest models. This leaves the older model PCs in many people’s storage areas or eventually even thrown away. Thankfully, there are other options. A recent article explains different ways to recycle your PC so they aren’t wasted space any longer and you are being green at the same time. Check out some options to give back or clear some space for the Holidays below.

-The National Christina Foundation donates your old PC or parts of equipment to schools or other non-profit organizations.

-Without a fee, you can drop of your old PC at a Dell location and they will find a Goodwill that is in need of the computer or recycle parts that would otherwise be garbage.

-Your local Best Buy will recycle your old PC for a $10 fee, but this is returned to you in the form of a $10 Best Buy gift card.

2 Billion Internet Users

Nicky — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 20:53:51 +0000

According to new reports done by The International Telecommunication Union, by the end of this year there will be 2 billion internet users worldwide. Although people all over the world are going online, the gap between countries that are still developing versus those that are more technologically advanced is still considerably large.

Just having access to high-speed internet is giving other countries more of an opportunity to connect. The ITU says that internet usage has actually doubled in the last 5 years. With only about 8% of the population currently using Broadband, it is supposed to help make an impact on the market by connecting more people in the future. Leadpile thrives on the usage of the internet as many from around the world are beginning to do the same.

Will Hardcover Books Be A Thing Of The Past?

Christina — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 22:06:08 +0000

For the first time, electronic books for Amazon’s Kindle has outnumbers sales for hardcover books consecutively for the past 3 months. The Kindle which has been on the market for 33 months has been selling an average of 143 ebooks for every 100 hardcover books. This number recently jumped to 180 ebooks for every 100 hardcover books sold on Amazon.com.

Consumers who do not own a Kindle can enjoy Kindle books on many other devices such as laptops, ipohnes, ipads, Blackberries and Android phones.

This study does not include paperback book sales but it’s amazing how technology plays such a large role in such a simple pleasure.

Gadgets You Will Want, But Can’t Get In The US

Natasha Aronov — Mon, 10 May 2010 17:18:25 +0000

Think you have the very latest and coolest camera and cell phone? Taking a look at gadgets from other countries may leave you with envy!

Chobi Camera: This itty bitty camera is 1.7 by 1.1 by 0.47 inches! Photos, video, and voice recordings can all be done using this tiny camera.

Cell phone for athletes: Deisgned by Puma, this smartphone will monitor steps you have taken, calories you have burned, distance, pace and speed. The 2.8 touch screen complete with GPS even has a solar panel on the back for charging!

iPad Imitator (Moonse E-7001 Android Tablet): A 7-inch Android slate appear very similar to the iPad is being sold currently in China.

To see the full list: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37020682/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/?pg=8#Tech_PCWorld_GearNotInUS

FCC Mandating Minimum Internet Speed?

Mari Woods Holt — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 05:05:25 +0000

Reuters is reporting that the FCC is trying to regulate a minimum broadband speed that American households are delivered by our nation’s broadband companies (ie-Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner and AT&T are the largest) provide all of us. “The planned initiative, which will be proposed in the National Broadband Plan report to Congress next month, comes a week after Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) said it would build a super-fast Internet network for up to half a million people, a project that could pressure telecommunications companies to loosen their control of Web access in the United States.”
So once again is Google pushing the envelope on the way things are done technologically? From everything I am reading it appears that they are in fact doing that and this is forcing broadband companies to compete technologically to stay in business. This new initiative potentially by the FCC could be a great thing for all of us and how we get out internet delivered to us. Nice job Google!

Who Is Online More…Teens Or Adults?

Mari Woods Holt — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:58:33 +0000

In the age of the internet, trying to figure out who goes online more can be a tricky question at times. However, it seems each era of people has their own “area of interest” with the internet.
4/5 of young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 are wireless internet users, while many of them are using their laptops, some are using their cell phones and other mobile devices to access the internet. The internet is everywhere and it appears it is a way of life for most young adults.
On another note it seems that 63 percent of 30-to-49-year-olds, and 34 percent of those age 50 and older use wireless connections for the Internet. Bottom line is we all use the internet as if it was something we can not live without. What will be the next generations “must have” if the internet is now already a must have? Is there something else technologically that will roll out what young adults HAVE to have? Is there a point where parents need to control how much their children are actually on the internet, and more specifically their cell phones? What about all the other things like the ipad, iphones, social networking, texting… what is next in the technology world and what parents have to “control”?

Apple Is At It Again With The iPad

Natasha Aronov — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:17:53 +0000

Apple seems to always be on top of being the most innovative company. With the touch screen iPhone being a huge success, it only makes sense that a touch screen computer was in the works. The new iPad is said to be able to access the internet faster than a regular laptop. This little gem is only about a half an inch thick and has a 9.7 inch touch screen. There is built in wi-fi with a flash memory (available in 16 GB, 32 GB, or 64 GB), 3G wireless access, and is App accessible (which can be enlarged to fit the iPad). Let’s not forget about the hefty price tag that comes along with it, ranging from $499 – $829.
Whether it is the iPhone, Mac, or just and iPod, people seem to be Apple obsessed these days. Even here at LeadPile we are all on our iPhones and Mac computers to ensure that all of or work is being done in the most effective and efficient way. It is interesting how in a so called “struggling economy”, people always find a way to get the newest technology. I know that I will not be purchasing one of these iPad’s anytime soon, will you??