Alternative data has been touted as the future for various companies. Financial services companies have taken a particular interest in the field as it has the potential to either provide completely novel signals or improve existing investment strategies. However, understanding the scale and importance of alternative data has always been challenging as businesses in the sector are often shrouded in mystery. Investing is extremely competitive as alpha often depends on the signal strength other companies can acquire. Now, however, the veil has been lifted, even if slightly. Finally, there is enough data to understand how far alternative data and web scraping have entrenched themselves into the industry, allowing us to understand their importance. What is alternative data and web scraping?Alternative data is a negatively defined term meaning everything that is not traditional data. The latter is considered to be everything that’s published regularly according to regulations, government action, or other oversight. In other words, it’s all the data from statistics departments, financial reports, press releases, etc. Since alternative data is defined negatively, it’s every information source that’s not traditional. While the definition is somewhat broad, alternative data does have its characteristics. Namely, it’s almost always unstructured, comes in various formats (i.e., text, images, videos), and often is extracted for a highly specific purpose. Data acquisition is significantly more complicated because both the sources and the formats are varied. Data as a Service (DaaS) businesses can resolve most of the acquisition issues; however, finding one that holds the necessary information can be complex. Web Scraping and in-house solutions in alternative data acquisitionMany companies turn to building in-house solutions for alternative data acquisition. One of the primary methods for doing so is called web scraping. In short, it’s a method of automating online public data collection by employing bots. These solutions go through a starting set of URLs and download the data stored within. Most bots will also further collect any URLs stored on the page for continued crawling. As a result, they can blaze through many sources within seconds or minutes. Collected data is then delivered and parsed for analysis. Some of it, such as pricing information, can be integrated into completely automated solutions. Other data, such as anything from which investment signals might be extracted, is analyzed manually by dedicated professionals. Web scraping is shaping the financial services industryAs mentioned above, financial services and investment companies have taken a particular interest in web scraping earlier than nearly anyone else. These businesses thrive upon gaining an informational edge over their competitors or the market as a whole. So, in some sense, it was no surprise when web scraping turned out to be a key player in the financial services industry. So we surveyed over 1000 decision-makers in the financial services industry across the US and UK regions to find out more about how data is being managed in these companies. Image Credit: Oxylabs; Thank you!
While internal data, as expected, remains the primary source of insight for all decision-making, web scraping has nearly overtaken it in the financial services industry. Almost 71% of our respondents have indicated that they use web scraping to help clients make business decisions. Web Scraping and Growth TendenciesOther insights are even more illuminating. For example, while web scraping has shown clear growth tendencies, we didn’t expect 80% of the survey respondents to believe that the focus will shift towards it even more in the coming 12 months. Nevertheless, these trends indicate a clear intent to change the dominant data acquisition methods in the industry. Finally, there’s reason to believe that the performance of web scraping is equally as impressive. There may have been reason to believe that the process of automated data collection is simply a byproduct of hype. Big data has been a business buzzword for the longest time, so it may seem that some of that emotion might have transferred to web scraping. Implementing Web ScrapingHowever, those who have implemented web scraping do not seem to think it’s pure hype. Over a quarter of those who have implemented the process believe it has had the most significant positive impact on revenue. Additionally, nearly half (44%) of all respondents plan to invest in web scraping the most in the coming years. Our overall findings are consistent across regions. As the US and UK are such significant players in the sector, the conclusions likely extend to global trends, barring some exceptions where web scraping might be trickier to implement due to legal differences. The survey has only uncovered major differences in how web scraping is handled, not whether it’s worthwhile. For example, in the US, it’s rarely the case that compliance or web scraping itself would be outsourced (12% & 8%, respectively). On the other hand, the UK is much more lenient regarding outsourced departments (22% and 15% for outsourced compliance and outsourced web scraping, respectively). ConclusionWhile the way data is being managed in the financial services industry has been shrouded in mystery for many years, we’re finally getting a better glimpse into the trends and changes the sector has been undergoing. As we can see, web scraping and alternative data play a major role in shaping the industry. Becoming the true first adopters of web scraping, however, I think, is only the beginning. Both the technology and the industry are still maturing. Therefore, I firmly believe we will see many new and innovative developments in data extraction and analysis in the finance sector, which novel web scraping applications will head. Image Credit: Pixabay; Pexels; Thank you! The post How Alternative Data is Changing the Finance Sector appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/3MEiqPh
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For companies that can master it, Artificial Intelligence (AI) promises to deliver cost savings, a competitive edge, and a foothold in the future of business. But while the rate of AI adoption continues to rise, the level of investment is often out of kilter with monetary returns. To be successful with AI you’ll want the right data architecture. This article tells you how. Currently, only 26% of AI initiatives are being put into widespread production with an organization. Unfortunately, this means many companies spend a lot of time on AI deployments without seeing tangible ROI. All Companies Must Perform Like a Tech CompanyMeanwhile, in a world where every company must perform like a tech company to stay ahead, there’s increasing pressure on technical teams and Engineering and IT leaders to harness data for commercial growth. Especially as spending on cloud storage increases, businesses are keen to improve efficiency and maximize ROI from data that are costly to store. But unfortunately, they don’t have the luxury of time. To meet this demand for rapid results, mapping data architecture can no longer stretch on for months with no defined goal. At the same time, focusing on standard data cleaning or Business Intelligence (BI) reporting is regressive. Tech leaders must build data architecture with AI at the forefront of their objectives.To do otherwise — they’ll find themselves retrofitting it later. In today’s businesses, data architecture should drive toward a defined outcome—and that outcome should include AI applications with clear benefits for end-users. This is key to setting your business up for future success, even if you’re not (yet) ready for AI. Starting From Scratch? Begin With Best Practices for Data
Data Architecture requires knowledge. There are a lot of tools out there, and how you stitch them together is governed by your business and what you need to achieve. The starting point is always a literature review to understand what has worked for similar enterprises, as well as a deep dive into the tools you’re considering and their use cases. Microsoft has a good repository for data models, plus a lot of literature on best data practices. There are also some great books out there that can help you develop a more strategic, business-minded approach to data architecture. Prediction Machines by Ajay Agarwal, Joshua Gans, and Avi Goldfarb is ideal for understanding AI at a more foundational level, with functional insights into how to use AI and data to run efficiently. Finally, for more seasoned engineers and technical experts, I recommend Designing Data-Intensive Applications by Martin Kleppmann. This book will give you the very latest thinking in the field, with actionable guidance on how to build data applications, architecture, and strategy. Three Fundamentals for a Successful Data ArchitectureSeveral core principles will help you design a data architecture capable of powering AI applications that deliver ROI. Think of the following as compass points to check yourself against whenever you’re building, formatting, and organizing data:
The Future of Data Architecture: Innovations to Know AboutWhile these key principles are a great starting place for technical leaders and teams, it’s also important not to get stuck in one way of doing things. Otherwise, businesses risk missing opportunities that could deliver even greater value in the long term. Instead, tech leaders must constantly be plugged into the new technologies coming to market that can enhance their work and deliver better outcomes for their business:
ConclusionAs the technology continues to develop, it’s critical that businesses stay up to speed, or they’ll get left behind. That means tech leaders staying connected to their teams, and allowing them to bring new innovations to the table. Even as a company’s data architecture and AI applications grow more robust, it’s essential to make time to experiment, learn and (ultimately) innovate. Image Credit: by Polina Zimmerman; Pexels; Thank you! The post Successful AI Requires the Right Data Architecture – Here’s How appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/fOSaTDr Has your ISP been throttling your bandwidth during different hours of the day, and it’s getting on your nerves? It’s understood how frustrating it may be, especially when your ISP decides to limit your speeds regularly. But, unfortunately, this throttling ruins your online streaming and gaming experience, something no one wants to experience. Don’t worry anymore! Follow this guide to see how you can bypass bandwidth throttling by your ISP and enjoy seamless network speed. What is Bandwidth Throttling or ISP Throttling“ISP Throttling” or “bandwidth Throttling” means ISPs impose limits on connections and cut down average Internet speeds you’re getting without any prior warning or notice. Excessive load and bandwidth distribution challenges are the most typical causes of internet throttling. These Internet Service Providers not only throttle your internet speed but also track your online activity. They have control over your network, and they can analyze your data packets. Why Do ISPs Throttle User Bandwidth?Data caps are the primary cause behind this. If you have a monthly bandwidth restriction that you can’t exceed, your ISP will slow down your connection if you consume too much data. ISPs also limit customer bandwidth during peak traffic hours to avoid network congestion. This allows them to improve their services and eliminates the need to invest in expensive storage equipment or additional bandwidth. As reported by Avast, ISPs prioritize the services that are paying them more, and if the user is using those services, then they get the priority and are not throttled. This is especially common with streaming services like Amazon, Netflix, HBO, and Hulu Plus. Conversely, if the streaming provider doesn’t pay the ISP more money, this has deprioritization. Finally, your bandwidth may be throttled if you’re doing anything your ISP doesn’t approve of, such as downloading torrents. How To Tell If You Being ThrottledOne of the indicators is when you notice that your speed is lowering at regular intervals during the day, especially in the evening or at night when there is likely to be a lot of user traffic on the servers. You can test your upload and download speed by trying tools like “Speedtest by Ookla” and notice the drops on it. If you keep pushing your service speed at different times during the day, you will start to see the throttling when your speed is low and at other times would be high. Follow these key steps to see if your ISP is throttling you:
As soon as you start noticing that your ISP is throttling your bandwidth, jump to the solution that we are about to discuss next: How to Bypass Bandwidth ThrottlingThe best and only way of bypassing bandwidth throttling is to use a VPN. Even if you visit a forum like Quora, you will notice that everyone has mentioned VPN as the best solution. This is because when connected to a VPN, your traffic is encrypted, and your ISP can no longer control your bandwidth or track your activity. When you connect to a VPN server, your IP and DNS are masked, and your ISP is changed. This way, your ISP loses control over your bandwidth. However, your ISP can still notice that you are using a VPN. The best thing about VPN servers is that they are highly optimized to provide seamless service to binge-watchers and gamers. This is why they provide unlimited bandwidth and have very low ping on their service. So using a VPN will not only bypass bandwidth throttling but also enhance your experience as you will be getting better speed. Follow these steps to bypass bandwidth throttling:
Is it Possible to Bypass Throttling Without VPN?Without a VPN, it isn’t that easy to bypass throttling, or we can say that the other methods aren’t effective enough. Some additional ways to bypass throttling without a VPN are: Using a Tor BrowserTor Browser encrypts the traffic passing through it and through different nodes, securing the user from any external threats. Since the traffic that passes through it is encrypted, the ISP loses its control and is unable to throttle bandwidth and track user activity. However, two things need to be understood over here:
Contacting your ISPAnother option over here is to contact your ISP directly and ask them not to throttle your bandwidth. But, this seems to be a long shot, expecting the ISP to provide you exclusive service. Switching to a new ISPYou can also switch your ISP and choose someone who provides better service. However, it is highly unlikely to find an ISP that does not include throttle bandwidth. Almost all ISPs out there are engaged in bandwidth throttling because they have to handle the server loads and prioritize users. Can I use a Free VPN to bypass ISP Throttling?Free VPNs are a big no! Be it for streaming, gaming, or even bypassing ISP throttling, you cannot trust Free VPNs at all. There are numerous reasons for that, like:
ConclusionSo by now, you would have understood what bandwidth throttling is, why ISPs do it and how you can tackle it. Using a VPN is the best solution to bypass ISP throttling, and also, the VPN should be premium, not free. Any other means, like Tor, are not helpful in this regard, so stay away from them. The best thing is that if you use a VPN, you will not only be bypassing ISP throttling, but you will also be protecting your online privacy through it. In these dire times, bandwidth throttling is not that big of an issue compared to the cyber threats that exist online. So stay safe from every possible threat and surf the web anonymously. Image Credit: by Yan Krukov; Pexels; Thank you! The post How to Bypass Bandwidth Throttling: Tips and Tricks for Increased Speed appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/ra54Q0e Proctoring plays the utmost importance for an LMS. With the implementation of LMS, learning becomes more accessible. Online learning is taking place worldwide. Meanwhile, it’s stressful for educators and learners to keep pace with it. Secure testing and exams seem challenging to handle in a learning management system. Proctoring software is an intelligent solution for live monitoring of the candidates and secures tracking of tests and other necessary verification. With increased interest in online learning globally, proctoring software is the need of the future. What is an LMS?LMS stands for Learning Management System. A Learning Management System is a software application that offers a digital learning platform. It includes the management of all factors of a company’s many training programs. LMS consists of tracking and reporting, learning programs, educational courses, documentation, administration profile, user information, etc. Moodle, Blackboard Learn, Docebo, etc., are examples of LMS. About Proctoring SoftwareBefore we discuss other details, let us first understand what proctoring is about? Online proctoring software is an integrated platform that preserves the online exams’ righteousness by offering the tools that check the identity and behavior of the exam-taker. Furthermore, this software allows the instructor to create online exams and tests in the learning management system with specified rules and security testing to avoid cheating. It helps keep the online exams’ integrity. Online proctoring software monitors using audio and a webcam. It’s beneficial for the identification of any suspicious activities in LMS. It comes with ultimate features and functionalities. Below are the mentioned features of this software. Ultimate FeaturesMany features play a vital role in proctoring for LMS. These features are as follows. ![]() Multiple Device DetectionThere are various types of devices available to students as well as instructors. These devices consist of cellphone, tablets, smartphones, laptops, etc. Unfortunately, few proctoring services have reached the point where they can detect multiple devices. This feature helps prevent other cheating and other doubtful activities. In addition, this feature acts as a bonus point for the instructors. Thus, the multi-device detection feature plays a vital role. It will be interesting to see how further changes and updates take place in the future — also — how the new updates will pan out with additional new functionalities. There are endless features of proctoring software in the field of technology. Quick Implementation in Voice DetectionAnother feature that shows the advantage here is voice detection. An excellent online proctoring software has the ability of voice detection. It adds another step in protecting the verification and prevents the cheating process. In addition, the software includes voice detection AI that proves as helpful in reducing false flags. Over-flagging causes stress for not only students but for the instructors too. The use of robust AI by proctoring allows a stress-free environment for both parties. Among many features of proctoring, voice detection is the major one that is fruitful in Learning Management Systems. Data SecurityRegarding online learning, data security is the top-most priority for any user or in any technology practiced. It offers the privacy of students’ data. Careful monitoring of a student’s data privacy profoundly impacts students, instructors, and institutions. For proctoring services, protecting the data and maintaining data privacy remains the top-notch priority. The privacy policies followed tell about the why and how the data privacy needs to follow-up. Data security and privacy are essential because they prevent hacking and leaking of information. No one wants to see the loophole in protecting the user’s privacy. Thus, the system needs to follow this in Learning Management System Platforms. Identity VerificationAnother essential feature that falls in this category is identity verification. Many proctoring software comes with the feature of identity verification. Identity verification is critical to record the exam-taker’s identity and track fraud activities. Moreover, identity verification plays a crucial role in proctoring. This ultimate feature makes the proctoring stand apart in the services. Ease of UseAnother essential feature that falls into the category is ease of use. Most proctoring software comes with the feature of simple working and is easy to handle. Common Types of Online Exam ProctoringOnline exam proctoring categorizes into four common types: 1. Lockdown Browser – Lockdown browser helps forbid the students from using other websites, browsers, or any applications while taking a test. It stops other functions and keyboard shortcuts as well. Working on the lockdown browser takes place via the integration with the LMS, and it stops exam-takers from accessing browsers, websites, functions, etc. 2. Live Proctoring – Live proctoring doesn’t include the services like automated proctoring. In general, in this process, live remote proctors keep a watch on students during the examination. Its working takes place by live remote proctors keeping an eye on students when students sit for the online tests. If any issue persists, remote proctors can intervene. After completion of the examination, live remote proctors make a report of the exam and send the recording to the instructors for further review. 3. Automated Proctoring – Automated proctoring uses AI-related technologies to keep the tracking of students in an online exam. It works by inspecting the students using AI technologies in the online exam. Then, the recording session review takes place and reports to the instructor. 4. Blending Automated Proctoring and Live Online Proctoring – It offers the advantages of automated as well as live proctoring. But, again, it depends on the institution or organization to decide the standard method that suits them. Importance of Proctoring for LMS IntegrationNow, after looking at the in-depth detail of the online proctoring software. Many questions arise like:
Proctoring does consist of great importance for seamless LMS integration.Online proctoring software is essential and is the need in Learning Management Systems because LMS is a vast platform that consists of its reaches worldwide. Within incremental increase in the number of Learning Management Systems — online proctoring software is a requirement for them. Proctoring software targets the academic integration, helps scale online programs, provides data protection for suspicious activities — and shows progress in students’ success and improvement. Understanding the student’s needs and providing them with a convenient online exam experience is essential for all Learning Management Systems. For the peace of mind of administration and faculty, the proper online exam proctoring must-have software selection. With well-crafted policies, universities and colleges can maintain their reputation. But as the interest in online exams is increasing, the LMS platforms need to stay one step ahead in the fastest advanced technologies and keep their reputation on the line according to the industry standards. Thus, proctoring plays a crucial role in seamless LMS integration. By selecting the right proctoring software, prevention of cheating takes place, and online courses are provided without degrading their quality. Right proctoring software system offers the students two key things- the first one is academic rigor, and the second one is convenience. Requirement in LMSFor those students who remain part of digital programs, online exams are necessary for them to take. In such a scenario, services like proctoring offer the students the convenience of taking their exams anywhere and prepare them for this. In LMS, it increases the chances of student success. Besides, it provides a stress-free environment for the students, faculties, and administration. Thus, proctoring is essential for LMS platforms. Also, it is the ultimate need of the future. It is important and helpful in maintaining the integrity of the Learning Management Systems. Did you know that the federal government’s 2008 Higher Education Opportunity Act depicts that the higher education institution with Title IV funding needs to verify the online students’ identity by using at least one mentioned below method:
The points mentioned above show the importance of proctoring software for LMS platforms. Working on Proctoring SoftwareNow, we have a deep understanding of the online proctoring software. But, first, let us understand the working of proctored software. The software is dynamic and reliable. In general, the whole architecture is operated using a cloud-based system. It is hard to imagine the working of an online proctoring software without a cloud-based system. Moreover, there is a rise in online learning programs. Thus, online proctoring software is much dependent on the cloud-based system. In the beginning, proctoring starts with the authentication process. This software examines the authentication of the examiner. Also, the proctoring software can terminate the questionable behavior during the examination. The software “reads” the photo identity of the students while taking any test. Once the proctors authenticate students’ identities — the student can begin the test. The next step consists of monitoring the candidate during an exam. Again, it comes with an algorithm beneficial for monitoring the exam-takers and flushing out a suspicious activity or doubtful cases. Last but not least is the data storage and review step. The examination audio and video recording take place, and the information is stored on the cloud. Once the exams are over, you or your team has the choice to recheck the cases. ConclusionThese steps make proctoring available for those in need who could not access help with their learning programs in any other way — and is essential for LMS platforms. It is interesting to note about more features it adds in the future. Online Proctoring Software is essential for the LMS platforms and is a current need in online learning. This system and its software have been needed for a long time and will stay in the education industry and be improved both now and into the future. Image Credit: Provided by the Author; Thank you! The post Why Online Proctoring is Important for an LMS appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/UyJKEgR Have you ever wondered how certain businesses manage to stay ahead of the curve no matter how many pandemics hit? Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based solution that combines ERP and CRM to offer the full power of innovative technology. One of its primary benefits is the seamless connectivity across your organizational systems that makes data siloes a thing of the past. In addition, it has predictive intelligence that enables businesses to preempt challenges and predict changes in the market. A successful Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation can take your business to new heights. APPLICATIONS OF MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365Microsoft Dynamics 365 is a cloud-based platform that combines CRM and ERP systems. It unifies the prime operational areas in a business such as finance, supply chain, retail, HR, Sales, customer service, project operations, field service, marketing, and the entire gamut of operations, through CRM, Finance, SCM, and Business central applications in the platform. These applications can talk to each other and thus help implement best practices as per customer requirements. Dynamics 365 ERPEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software manages and integrates business processes end-to-end. An ERP implementation optimizes modules such as Finance and Operations, Retail, Human resources, Supply Chain Management, and more:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 implementation has become a top priority to most SMEs because of its capabilities to digitally transform organizations. Dynamics 365 CRMA Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution serves as a single application to host all the tools of the prime business operations such as Sales, Marketing, Field Services, Project Service Automation and Customer service.
With AI and powerful intelligence tools, Microsoft’s Dynamics 365 CRM implementation has helped countless companies across multiple industries grow their business. HOW DOES DYNAMICS 365 WORK?A Dynamics 365 implementation enables enhanced performance with advanced features and robust architecture. It integrates seamlessly with financials and business management solutions that are comprehensive and easy-to-use.
HOW TO GET DYNAMICS 365 FOR YOUR UNIQUE BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS?Microsoft Dynamics 365 provides different deployment productivity tools. Experienced implementation partners can help you leverage these to their fullest potential. Dynamics 365 professionals are essential to analyze business requirements and ensure a smooth implementation. Be sure to select and evaluate the right partner who can fully understand your business challenges. HOW MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365 BENEFITS YOUR BUSINESS OPERATIONS![]() Dynamics 365 suite of applications includes the following modules: Dynamics 365 for MarketingAcknowledging the need for a new Dynamics marketing platform, Microsoft set out to build a new cloud-based marketing automation platform. Here’s what it brings to the table:
Microsoft Dynamics 365 for SalesDynamics 365 offers actionable insights, better customer engagement, and collaboration capabilities. Benefits of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Sales:
Dynamics 365 Business CentralBusiness Central is an ERP platform that can harmonize your business and offer you a holistic view of your organization. Dynamics 365 Business Central is now seeing a 200 percent annual user growth across all industries because of its numerous benefits.
Dynamics 365 for Customer ServiceDynamics 365 Customer Service enables companies to offer better customer support and have a clear understanding of their requirements. Furthermore, its artificial intelligence and automation features help businesses prevent and solve complex problems anytime, anywhere and provide personalized services that help strengthen business bonds.
Dynamics 365 for Field ServiceDynamics 365 for Field Service enables companies to exchange critical business-related data easily to smooth operations. It deftly manages intra- and inter-team communication and coordination. Built-in intelligence preempts challenges and seamlessly solves them in advance, increasing productivity. In addition, it offers a holistic view of user records and helps personalize customer experiences.
Dynamics 365 Project AutomationIt helps plan, execute, and keep track of projects and manages tasks and resources accordingly. In addition, the Project Automation module optimizes project management to keep your time and budget in check. Its advantages include:
Dynamics 365 for Finance and OperationsFinance and Operations apps are enterprise resource planning (ERP) software built on the Microsoft Azure platform for medium and large-sized companies. They offer complete custom ERP functionality for organizations to help them thrive through the tides of changing economic times. They benefit businesses in the following ways:
Dynamics 365 CommerceThis module combines in-store and back-office operations. It is tailored for the retailers and helps them create innovative shopping experiences. Dynamics 365 Commerce enables customers to enjoy both online and offline shopping experiences. Some of its most prominent features include:
Dynamics 365 Human ResourcesMicrosoft Dynamics 365 implementation for Talent empowers the HR team to hire, train, and retain employees who accelerate results. It integrates with Office 365 and LinkedIn to find the right candidate for the business. It helps the HR team manage the entire recruiting and onboarding process and automates routine tasks such as tracking attendance. It provides the full information employees need in a single, easily accessible portal:
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING MICROSOFT DYNAMICS 365![]() Step 1: Business Process Review Careful evaluation of current processes is essential to implement Dynamics 365 without disrupting existing processes. It is the primary step toward a successful implementation. Step 2: Dynamics 365 Review Understand the features, functionalities, and capabilities of Dynamics 365 to plan implementation costs, identify performance gaps, and zero in on processes that can be automated. Step 3: Create a Data Migration Plan Create a robust data migration plan to ensure a smooth implementation process. Before migrating data, eliminate redundant, inaccurate information to ensure high-quality information and optimum value from your new ERP system. Step 4: Test Extensively Test the implementation using a sample database, check whether integrations are in synchrony, and validate system output. Test extensively to identify and weed outperformance or data accuracy issues before rollout. HOW MUCH DOES A DYNAMICS 365 IMPLEMENTATION COST IN 2022?Different components affect the price of a Dynamics 365 implementation. Therefore, organizations must consider the cost of the implementation including people resources. Ongoing costs can include solution version upgrades and ongoing application maintenance. Microsoft Dynamics 365 has Three Licence Types to Choose From: a) Essentials: $70 per user per month This license entails the following:
b) Premium: $100 per user per month This license comprises the following:
c) Team Members: $8 per user per month This license is open to the following:
Dynamics 365 Finance – $180 per month per user Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management – $180 per month per user Dynamics 365 Marketing:
Sales Professional plan – $65 per user/month Sales Enterprise plan – $95 per user/month Microsoft Relationship Sales – $162 per user/month Customer Service Professional plan – $50 per user/month Customer Service Enterprise plan – $95 per user/month These plans come with a 30-day free trial, and many of the paid features are not available during the trial period. Microsoft Dynamics 365 allows users to buy add-on apps that can precisely help organizations meet their business requirements. INDUSTRY EXPERTS, YOU CAN TEAM UP WITHSelecting the right Microsoft partner for a smooth implementation and integration is important. DemandDynamics is a trusted Microsoft Gold certified partner that has worked with numerous companies for Dynamics 365 implementation and migrations. It has been providing Microsoft services for years through various business sectors. Its On-Demand Services are popular with clients for its ability to meet technical, operational, and financial goals. Image Credit: Provided by the Author; Thank you! The post A Complete Guide to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Implementation appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://readwrite.com/guide-to-microsoft-dynamics-365-implementation/ Now that we’re in June, summer has officially arrived — and it’s moving faster than anyone can imagine. So have you accomplished your toughest summer goals? I know summer is a popular time to chill and hang out — whether by the pool, the beach, or attending concerts with friends. But, unfortunately, summer isn’t about all those things, even though I love them. Instead, be thinking about your summer goals — specifically, the goals you want to achieve by fall. Have you worked out your personal, professional, and academic progress goals? Even though summer is often the season of reflection, refreshment, refocus, and rejuvenation — it’s also a great time to explore and try new things. And, because you have more availability thanks to vacations or summer breaks, you can actually focus on your goals. Thanks to the warm weather, you’ll also have more energy and a better mood. As such, you’ll be able to start tackling your dusty, and un-completed bucket list. ![]() You can still enjoy your summer. Image Credit: Juan Salamanca; Pexels; Thank you! Tackle Your Five Toughest Summer GoalsTackling your most challenging summer goals is not easy, especially when you want to be outside and have fun in the sun. Use these tips to tackle your goals and still enjoy the dog days of summer.1. Setting forth the goal.Summer goals are no different from any other goals. The first step is to make a list. To not feel overwhelmed, your list should be lean and mean. In other words, prioritize the things that have value. Planning your goals is also essential. Holding yourself accountable is also crucial. Writing down your goals helps you do this. “Vividly describing your goals in written form is strongly associated with goal success,” writes Mark Murphy, founder of www.LeadershipIQ.com. “And people who vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish them than people who don’t.” This is thanks to external storage and encoding. Best of all? You can refer back to this whenever you need it. The next step is to choose a deadline. By setting a deadline, you will remain on track. Deadlines also keep you accountable and motivated. Last but not least, make this list visible. Put it somewhere you can see it daily, for example, on your fridge, computer, or calendar. Daily reminders will ensure that you stay on track. Another option? Write down your goals in a journal. Then, you may reflect on them or make any necessary changes at the end of the day. 2. Change your mindset about summer and goals.Instead of treating this transition period as a break, see it as an opportunity for change. This mindset will make a huge difference. “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change,” said Dr. Wayne Dyer, an author , and motivational speaker. Think of the summer as a time for a change, as well as renewal. Thinking about Summer less traditionally can be the key to starting and completing even your most demanding goals. It’s no secret that our minds are strong. But, if you place your mind in vacation mode, you’ll think, “let’s take a break.” But, on the other hand, setting your mind on a time for change sets your attitude to “what’s next.” Even better? Consider adopting a freedom mindset to align with the Fourth of July. Essentially, this growth mindset allows you to break free of whatever is holding you back. To develop this type of mindset, be a little selfish by turning down requests if they interfere with your priorities. 3. Establish monthly, weekly, and even daily goals for yourself, and check in periodically throughout the process.“Truthfully, goal setting is easy,” writes Nicolas Cole in Fast Company. “It’s the accountability side of things people struggle with.” “Instead of thinking about your summer as one massive chunk of time (90 days), try to visualize your summer as three separate chapters (June, July, and August),” Cole suggests. Then, divide each of those chapters into smaller chapters (Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4). “And then within those sub-chapters, really internalize each day that makes up each one of those weeks (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7).” The next step is to set micro-goals for each by asking:
“The more you can help yourself see the next step in front of you (as opposed to the entire three-month journey), the more likely you are to remain consistent and connected to the process,” Cole adds. 4. Don’t fall into a summer slump.There is no secret that productivity is at an all-time low during the summer months — especially in July and August. According to Captivate Office Pulse’s study, productivity drops by 20 percent during the summer months. In addition, attendance dropped by 19 percent and work turnaround time increased by 13 percent. There are several reasons why. For starters, people are on vacation. Maybe your gym buddy is out of town, meaning you don’t have someone to hold you accountable. Perhaps you can complete a project at work because your collaborator is out of the office for a long weekend. We also tend to develop serious cases of FOMO. Why focus on your goals when you want to be at the beach with your friends? And, of course, as already mentioned, there’s the weather. How can you prevent falling into the summer slump? Well, you could look for inspiration. Maybe reading a book while chilling by the pool. Perhaps, you could schedule a walking meeting with a mentor or someone who pushes you. Or, you could take a class or attend events to learn new skills to help you reach your goals. And, if the workplace is quieter than usual. Primarily — making plans and the steps to achieve them. 5. Make keystone habits a part of your daily routine.In the summer, you have many chances to improve your life. For example, let’s say that you want to prioritize your health. Incorporating healthy practices into your daily summer routine could transform these seasonal habits into second nature before frost and cooler weather set in. For example, studies show that spending time in nature lowers stress, heart rate, and blood pressure, all risk factors for heart disease. The summer months are a great time for friends and family to enjoy sports such as walking, swimming, biking, and hiking. Incorporate outdoor activities into your family’s weekly schedule by setting aside time for them on the calendar. What’s more, this can reduce your screen time usage. If you want to achieve your goals, you should instill keystone habits.In his book, The Power of Habit, Charles Duhig aptly describes the keystone habit. As the cornerstone of any structure, the keystone holds everything in place. Additionally, keystone habits encourage the development of other good habits while helping eliminate bad ones. If you develop keystone habits, you’ll be able to achieve your goals while also improving your time management. Published First on Calendar. Read Here. Image Credit: by Karolina Grabowska; Pexels; Thank you! The post How to Tackle Your 5 Toughest Summer Goals appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/ibPUElR Healthcare companies use the Direct Data Entry (DDE) method to manually enter, correct, and adjust entries. Medicare developed its information transfer mode, and it is still in use. Direct Data EntryDDE in Medicare Fiscal Intermediately shared system FISS is a common practice in most healthcare facilities. The DDE users use it to manually enter, correct, adjust or cancel Medicare transactions in FISS. The manual data entry may affect revenue cycle management. The critical issues of DDE are time and data reconciliation. Presenting claims through DDE, the back-office staff must re-enter complete data into FISS. This duplication of work takes double the time for presenting a claim. While working with DDE, the Host system may not update the changes in claims. Therefore, the update in host systems will cause discrepancies in claims. Electronic Data InterchangeElectronic data interchange (EDI) is defined as the Computer-to-computer transfer of data. The data is transferred through the appropriate application from one computer to another. Order Management System is an example of EDI. It does not involve any human handling. EDI can replace postal mail, fax, or email. Email is also an electronic method of data transfer handled by a human being. A typical manual process involves paperwork and people. EDI transactions include an invoice for payment or transfer of funds, claims status, eligibility, Enrollment and disenrollment, referrals, coordination of benefits, premium, claims, and patient/provider encounter information. With the introduction of AI in healthcare, the industry has been transformed at large. Benefits of EDI over DDETime-SavingEDI is a time-saving method through which your staff doesn’t need keen working — whereas your staff must be keen enough to make correct entries at a fast pace. EDI does not involve human handling, the chances of duplication, and discrepancies. Usually, Medicare process the claims on certain days of the month, so the clean submitted claims are cleared, and the provider gains the Accounts Receivables. The fast processing of claims helps to maintain the revenue cycle management. Usually, trying to keep a fast pace of data entry may lead to human errors. Your staff needs to re-enter complete data in FISS, which is time-consuming, but the chances of human error and chances of not up-date data cause delays and discrepancies in the claims process. Chances of Duplication of data omissionHuman involvement increases the chances of human error. Human error involves chances of duplication or data omission. FormatEDI documents have a standard format that is readable for computers and easily translatable. Therefore, EDI has a translator, whether in-house software or via an EDI service provider. Easy Data DistributionThrough EDI, data distribution, retrieval, and analysis are made easy among different entities. In 1991, The Workgroup for Electronic Data interchange was formed by the Secretary of Health and human resources for the first time. The Goal of Paperless hospital office.The Goal of the US healthcare system is a paperless hospital office. As a result, the paperwork of the hospital has decreased. In addition, in 1996, the Health insurance portability and Accountability Act established US National standards for healthcare EDI transactions. Cost-SavingHospitals and healthcare facilities can cut their handling costs of processing paperwork. Through EDI, information is transmitted quicker, without printing or compiling reports. StandardizationEDI transactions help hospitals enable organized, compliant, accurate, and efficient healthcare data exchange. These standards apply to patient transactions and health information exchange. The use of healthcare EDI simplifies the methods of information management that are an opportunity for care providers to provide better care at low cost. Privacy and SecurityData security is a significant concern of the healthcare industry because it involves health information of the masses. The HIPPA-compliant EDI ensures the secure transfer of data. Healthcare EDI assists systems in transmitting information between healthcare providers and payers.Or insurers. EDI transactions are end-to-end encrypted because these transactions are accessible to authorized users only. These transactions support secure healthcare data management without any human handling. EDI minimizes errors in insurance claims, shipping and billing address errors, and document errors. EDI is helpful for insurance claims. It is an efficient documentation tool that supports errorless documentation. It reduces the chance of errors in the file attachment, email id, etc. In addition, EDI simplifies and automates the process of claim submission. EDI in denials helps the care reduce claim denials and rejections. Rework for claims reduces. EDI can process multiple claim files at one time. As a result, revenue cycle management becomes easy. EDI for patients: EDI has multiple benefits. It helps every stakeholder of health care. For patients, EDI helps speedy processes. After the approval of the rights of patients to access their health information, the patients will be able to know about the diagnosis. Secondly, if EDI speeds up the claims process, it is much easier for the patients to clear the dues and switch their consultants. You can reap the maximum benefits of EDI if you use Data-Centric solutions that fit their organizational size and culture. Data-centric Healthcare EDISuppose you are planning to install EDI in your facility. In that case, you must consider critical factors like security level and compliance with multiple systems or solutions, ease of use, and time management. Healthcare EDI systems offer an organization of health care data through EDI HIPPA transactions. Hence, EDI requires a platform that can organize a huge quantity of data in an automated manner. It also helps in sorting out the correct information from the wrong one with the automated set patterns. The companies like Medifusion provide platforms, systems, value-added services, and data-centric solutions for healthcare data management. Enable data-centric healthcare EDI to gain data security benefits and maximized profitability. Technological advancement in healthcareTechnological advancement in the healthcare industry affects data management. For Example, Telehealth has often replaced face-to-face meetings with the care provider. To keep pace with these technological trends, EDI systems must be supported with a data-centric platform that ensures data quality and security. Partnering with the third-party developer will help you ensure efficiency, effectiveness, patient satisfaction, and overall profitability. In addition, the tools and software help providers in patient engagement (medifusion dotcom) and attract new patients to their offices. To become a competent healthcare institute, you need to implement modernized technology. The post Direct Data Entry: Claims Submission Methods to Review appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/IC3hX8B Python is a very popular, versatile, easy-to-learn, and easy-to-use programming language. It has many uses, including machine learning, data visualization, web development, etc. There are different Python libraries for different tasks. Python libraries are pre-written code by someone else. It’s a collection of modules that all are related to each other. This article will discuss the top 10 Python frameworks for web development. 1. DjangoDjango is one of the most popular web development frameworks written in Python. Google, Instagram, Facebook, etc use Django as their backend framework. Some Features Of Django
![]() 2. FlaskFlask is also a web development framework made using Python. Moreover, many popular websites on the internet use Flask. A group called Pocoo developed this framework. It’s mostly compared with other programming languages for instance PHP and Flask, etc. Flask is one of the most lightweight web development frameworks that many companies use. Some Features Of Flask
3. Web2pyWeb2py is an open-source web development framework written in Python but it mainly focuses to make websites very quickly. In addition, it’s a cross-platform framework that walks the user through the test case from code editing to deployment. Some Features Of Web2py
![]() 4. CherryPyCherryPy is a very powerful open-source web development framework. Even after the 10 years of this framework but still, it’s quite fast and stable. Some Features Of CherryPy
5. PyramidPyramid is a lightweight and open-source web development framework. Moreover, it runs on Python 3.0 and above. It’s a part of the Pylons Project. Some Features Of Pyramid
![]() 6. Cubic WebCubic Web is a free, open-source, full-stack web development framework written in Python and the most important aspect of this framework is its reusability. Some Features Of Cubic Web
7. PylonsPylon is a python-based open source web application framework and it improves reusability and splits functionality into separate modules while extending the WSGI standard. Pylons, such as Django and TurboGears, are among the most recent web application frameworks. It has some features the same as RubyOnRails but still, it’s not used the same as RubyOnRails. Some Features Of Pylons
![]() 8. BottleThe bottle is also one of the most used Python web development frameworks and it was originally built for making APIs quickly using Python. Some Features Of Bottle
![]() 9. TornadoThis framework is not mostly used as compared to other Python frameworks. But it has some of the best features that any framework for web development should have. Some Features Of Tornado
![]() 10. BlueBreamBlueBream is an open-source framework, server, and library. Firstly Zoop created it which makes it reliable. Furthermore, it’s based on the Zoop Toolkit (ZTK). Some Features Of BlueBream
ConclusionIn conclusion, we’ve discussed the 10 best Python web development frameworks which include Django, Bottle, Flask, etc. In addition, many companies for instance Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Google, etc use these frameworks. However, it depends on your needs and which framework to use. The post 10 Best Python Web Development Frameworks appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/1k2GKdL As part of the Biden administration’s fiscal year 2023 budget proposal, aka the Green Book, for the Treasury Department, Janet Yellen testified before the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee in early June 2022. Her first stop was the Senate Finance Committee, where she testified on Tuesday, June 7, at a hearing on “The President’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget.” That hearing was about inflation, food and energy prices, international tax agreements, and rewriting tax law to better support low- and middle-income families. For the full transcript of the Senate Finance Committee hearing, click here. On Wednesday, June 8, she testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in a hearing called “Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget with Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.” This hearing focused on tax reforms, food and energy prices, rising prices, and controlling inflationary pressures in the president’s budget request. See the full text of the House Ways and Means Committee hearing by clicking here. Additionally, if the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) passes, President Biden would raise revenue by $4 trillion on a gross basis over the next decade. Therefore, the proposed Biden tax increases in the budget and the BBBA could have affected the economy significantly. And, this is primarily in terms of tax and retirement implications. Among the significant tax proposals are:
All of that is a lot to process. So, let’s take a closer look at the potential tax and retirement consequences. Table of Contents Tax Policy Changes Aimed At High-Income TaxpayersA major focus of the proposal is on three significant changes in tax policy for high-income earners in the U.S. “First, the treasury wants the highest marginal income tax rate to increase from 37% to 39.6% effective December 31, 2022,” writes Shehan Chandrasekera, CPA, Head of Tax Strategy at CoinTracker.i, for Forbes. “This increased marginal rate would apply to taxable income over $450,00 for married filers and $400,000 for individual filers.” Moreover, if your total taxable income is above these thresholds, any short-term cryptocurrency gains (coins & NFTs sold after holding them for less than 12 months) as well as other forms of cryptocurrency income, such as mining, staking, and interest, would be subject to the higher rate, he adds. A second proposal would subject long-term capital gains (which are generally taxed at a lower rate than ordinary income) to a higher rate for taxpayers earning over 1 million per year in taxable income. “For example, if your overall taxable income is over 1 million, long-term gains in excess of 1 million would be subject to a much higher ordinary income tax rate vs. the maximum 20% rate under the current law,” Chandrasekera explains. Additionally, the proposal seeks to make gifts of appreciated property and transfers at death taxable events for wealthy individuals. “Third and arguably the most aggressive tax proposal included in the document is the 20% minimum tax on ‘Total income’ for taxpayers worth over 100 million.” This would include regular taxable income such as wages and investment income and surprising unrealized gains from assets owned by the taxpayer. More Money to Social Security and Retirement AccountsBiden proposes boosting discretionary funding for the Social Security Administration by $1.8 billion in his proposed budget for 2023, for a total of $14.8 billion. About 70 million Americans will receive retirement, disability, and survivor benefits from the agency, which receives funding increasing by about 14% from the levels enacted in 2021. Within the proposed $14.8 billion budget, $1.6 billion more (an additional 14% increase over 2021) would be allocated to improving agency services, while $224 million would be allocated to safeguarding the integrity of the program. Additionally, Biden proposed an increase to Social Security of 9.7%, or $14.2 billion total, for 2022 to help with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. $1.6 billion will go to field offices, disability determination centers, and teleservice centers. Moreover, the money would help speed up disability processing and reduce waiting times. Additionally, the agency would be able to make changes so that everyone could get the services they need. Additionally, $224 million will be added to track spending and support the investigation and prosecution of fraud. Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., reintroduced a bill in October 2021 that would give beneficiaries a benefits boost of about 2%. Also, low-income workers would receive a higher minimum benefit. As part of the legislation, payroll taxes for those earning $400,000 and over would be reapplied to higher-wage earners. As of 2022, 6.2% of those payroll taxes are applied only to wages up to $147,000 for both employees and employers. As of 2034, Social Security’s trust funds will run out, making Biden’s new budget proposal even more timely. By then, 78% of promised benefits will be paid out. Surtax on Estate Transfers and GiftingBy the end of 2025, the current exemption of $12.06 million per person (in 2022) will expire. Approximately half of the current exemption amount will be reduced at that time. According to earlier proposals under consideration, the higher exemption amount would have expired in 2022. Despite this, the Green Book does not address the broad issue of gift and estate taxation. It does contain a few other provisions, however. Proposed changes.Gifts of appreciated assets resulting in unrealized gains that are received during life and held at death will be treated for tax purposes as “realization events.” These gains will be taxed the same way as if they were sold. A single taxpayer may exclude $5 million from their lifetime tax liability for unrealized gains from the property transferred by gift during life or held at death. The unrealized gain on property owned at death can be offset by any unused exclusion during life. A surviving spouse could also utilize the proposed exclusion if it is portable. As a result, married couples filing joint returns can exclude $10 million of unrealized gains from their taxable income. There would be no requirement to recognize gains on gifts or bequests to charities. If you give or bequeath to a spouse, you won’t gain until either of you dies or disposes of the asset. The cost basis, however, will carry over in either case. The tax would be imposed on the transfer of property after December 31, 2022. Or on the transfer of property owned by an individual who passed away after December 31, 2022. A gift-like transfer of appreciated assets to or from an irrevocable trust, partnership, or other non-corporate entity would also be taxable if the gain is unrealized. An irrevocable trust, partnership, or other non-corporate entity would also be subject to tax on unrealized gains in appreciated assets if they were not previously recognized as taxable income. After December 31, 2022, the rules would apply to transfers and property owned by people who die after that date. Changes to Grantor Retained Annuity TrustsCurrently, grantor retained annuity trusts don’t have term restrictions. However, all GRATs would be subject to a minimum 10-year term and a maximum equal to the annuitant’s life expectancy plus 10 years. Additionally, the remainder interest of a GRAT must have a minimum value. Typically, the value of the assets transferred to the GRAT would be equal to 25% of their value for gift tax purposes. Alternatively, it would be $500,000. But not more than the value of the assets transferred. During the GRAT term, the GRAT annuity cannot decrease. Furthermore, the grantor can’t exchange assets held in the GRAT tax-free. A trust formed after the enactment date would be subject to the new provisions. By eliminating short-term GRATs, the risk of a grantor dying in the middle of the GRAT term would be reduced. Therefore, the grantor’s estate would include the GRAT’s assets. A zeroed-out GRAT would also be prohibited by this provision. Modernize Rules for Digital AssetsAlso in the budget is a plan to modernize digital asset rules. According to the budget documentation, such a move would generate $4.9 billion in revenue in 2023. As part of the new rules, certain financial institutions, such as brokers of digital assets, would also be required to report information. Certain taxpayers with foreign digital asset accounts would also be required to report, and the mark-to-market rules would be amended to include digital assets. In total, the administration predicts these rules will generate $10.9 billion by 2032. According to a Treasury Department explanation, “tax evasion using digital assets is a rapidly growing problem. Since the industry is entirely digital, taxpayers can transact with offshore digital asset exchanges and wallet providers without leaving the United States.” “In order to ensure that the United States is able to benefit from a global automatic exchange of information framework with respect to offshore digital assets and receive information about U.S. beneficial owners it is essential that the United States reciprocally provide information on foreign beneficial owners of certain entities transacting in digital assets with U.S. brokers,” the Treasury added. Additionally, the budget seeks to enhance the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) ability to pursue cyber threats through investments that support a multi-year effort to enhance cyber investigative capabilities at FBI field offices. “These investments include an additional $52 million for more agents, enhanced response capabilities, and strengthened intelligence collection and analysis capabilities. These investments are in line with the Administration’s counter-ransomware strategy that emphasizes disruptive activity and combats the misuse of cryptocurrency,” the document stated. Frequently Asked Questions1. How much did the president propose?A $5.8 trillion budget was proposed by President Biden. With billions earmarked for police departments and the military, along with new taxes on the rich, this plan reflected growing concerns about security and the economy at home and abroad. White House budgets aren’t really budgeting at all. They’re just requests to Congress to control the government’s spending. But they’re snapshots of where the president wants to go with his priorities. According to President Biden’s second budget request, domestic investments will amount to about $1.6 trillion for the fiscal year 2023. That’s a 7 percent increase over current levels. Among the initiatives that are receiving additional funding are projects to prevent gun violence, improve the supply chain, and address the excessive inflation that has contributed to cost overruns. One of the biggest increases was Mr. Biden’s $773 billion military proposals, an increase of 10 percent for the Pentagon following concerns like the Ukraine war. The budget also includes nearly $70 billion for fighting violent crime through the F.B.I. and cracking down on gun trafficking. There is a total of $45 billion allocated to combat climate change across the federal government, an increase of $16.7 billion over the level enacted in 2021. 2. How will this be paid for?Among the tax increases proposed by the president was a minimum tax on billionaires. Under the proposal, which must be approved by Congress, households worth more than $100 million would have to pay 20 percent of both their incomes and unrealized gains in their liquid assets. They include stocks and bonds, which are taxed only when they are sold after accumulating value for years. Using the $360 billion raised by taxation that the White House is hoping to generate, the president could fund a broader agenda as well. The White House budget also calls for higher taxes on the rich. The top individual income tax rate would increase from 37 percent to 39.6 percent under this proposal. As for the corporate tax rate, Biden wants to raise it to 28 percent from 21 percent. 3. What are the possible effects of these proposed changes?Although the Green Book proposes changes to a wide range of tax laws, these changes will mostly affect a specific segment of taxpayers. You may be concerned about the changes, though, if you fall into any of these categories:
Various changes to the law have been proposed, but their effective dates do not line up. Some could take effect sooner than December 31, 2022. However, most would be implemented after that date. 4. How Biden is Impacting Social Security?SSA, which distributes benefits to 70 million Americans, will receive an additional $1.8 billion in discretionary funding in Biden’s proposed budget for 2023. That would be an increase of 14% over the funding levels enacted in 2021, so $14.8 billion altogether. In addition to the new funding, the SSA will increase its current funding by 14%, from $1.8 billion to $1.6 billion. This will improve the quality of retirement, survivor, and Medicare claims it processes each year, as well as disability and SSI claims. Among the things that the money would fund are field offices, teleservice centers for retirees, and state disability determination services, as well as:
The other $224 million goes to program integrity, responsible spending, and investigating and prosecuting fraud. Published First on Due. Read Here. Image Credit: by Nataliya Vaitkevich; Pexels; Thank you! The post Tax and Retirement Consequences of Biden’s 2023 Budget Proposal appeared first on ReadWrite. via ReadWrite https://ift.tt/yH5GjOY In today’s world, technology dominates everything from the simplest to the most complex of activities. Software is undoubtedly the primary need of the market. Most organizations are trending towards cloud and multi-cloud implementations. This move is not surprising since many are shifting to working remotely, and cloud computing has its share of benefits and challenges. What is SaaS?![]() Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is typically an on-demand, cloud-based software delivery service model. Besides, it is also a cloud-based way of delivering software and apps. If you choose to subscribe to this model, you can access apps without hosting them in-house; users don’t install or run the software on their devices. As long as you have an internet-connected device, you can access the SaaS framework no matter where you are. This is especially useful for teams working remotely across the globe. Therefore, the managers looking to increase the productivity of their remote teams. Organizations don’t need to build infrastructure and maintain it to provide the necessary apps to the staff. In brief, SaaS helps businesses grow faster in a tech-friendly world. Benefits of SaaS![]() The future of the global SaaS is bright, and its adoption is expected to grow. This encouraging growth is due to:
Understanding the need for SaaS security![]() Many SaaS providers host and provide SaaS services, security, and maintenance to their users. SaaS security is typically cloud-based security designed to protect all software and data that the service carries. It’s a set of best practices that organizations that store data in the cloud put in place to secure their information. The SaaS provider is expected to secure the platform, network, apps, operating system, and whole infrastructure. Although SaaS security is the provider’s sole responsibility, both the customer and the service provider share equal responsibilities. Both are required to adhere to SaaS security guidelines by the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC) in the UK, for example. Cybercriminals tend to target SaaS environments because they have a large amount of confidential data. Data safety and integrity will compromise in the event of a security breach. Data safety and integrity will compromise in the event of a security breach. This can translate into massive financial loss. You don’t need us to remind you of the consequences. Any hacker successfully gains access to a SaaS environment; spells disaster of the highest degree. So, if vendors are not delivering up to par services at all times, you might end up experiencing service disruptions or security breaches often. Therefore, before you sign up for any SaaS service, read the Service Level Agreement (SLA) thoroughly and throw the questions to the provider. Businesses must ensure that they are carrying out the best practices. If not, businesses will fail, not to mention the many legal implications that will follow suit. Simply put, organizations that utilize the SaaS model must prioritize SaaS security. It involves not just the practical aspect of securing the environment but ensuring proper certifications are in place. SaaS security challenges![]() There is a range of challenges that SaaS brings to the table: ComplexityAs explained, SaaS resides in the cloud and caters to various teams across an organization and sometimes across the globe. SaaS applications are heavily used across the board by tons of users. All users are at different levels, holding different roles, not to mention varying levels of technical knowledge. It makes SaaS applications tricky even for specialist security teams to grasp. CommunicationThis is a common problem that occurs in an organization, be it when it comes to SaaS or onsite applications. The organization is hard to move forward because of the limited interaction between teams. Breakdowns in communication can also often be the root cause of security issues. CollaborationOften, teams have their own goals and functions, respectively. Unfortunately, most emphasize functionality and business requirements, rather than security. But, there is a real need to balance both business and security needs on an ongoing basis. This is a huge challenge that requires regularly educating your teams. Less controlBusinesses that opt for SaaS have to rely on third-party vendors to deliver secured services. Even though providers throw in everything to ensure top-notch security and operation, in reality, there will be times when there’ll be service disruption. Businesses don’t have complete control and rely on the providers for continuous uptime. Performance issuesYou usually don’t experience performance issues with cloud services. When a server shuts down, another will kick in and ensure the service will not be disrupted. Yet, you may experience some performance issues if located far from data centers. Therefore, check with your provider on their data center locations before signing up. SaaS best practicesIt is a good move to migrate your systems and processes to SaaS. But first, you need to take into consideration both your organization’s existing requirements and SaaS-specific security requirements as well. Here are some cloud security best practices that you can upkeep to help the situation: 1. Access management and controlWhen offering cloud-based applications to users, your users require a means to log in to access the software. Only people with the proper permissions can access to suitable applications on the cloud. You can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to protect the user’s privacy and secure the communication channel. Besides, you can consider using extra security features like multi-factor authentication (MFA) or other more robust authentication methods. The system needs to take into consideration any data requirements and workflow assignments as well. 2. Data ProtectionUsers communicate with SaaS applications via tons of established channels. These channels must be secured using encryption and other security tools, keeping all data safe from prying eyes. Transport Layer Security (TLS) is a widely adopted security protocol to encrypt and protect data in transit. Also, data at rest in your servers and databases must be encrypted to ensure that it’s safe from hackers. Only by ensuring data security via adequate security measures, especially for sensitive data, can they be deployed for use. Interestingly, you can also consider SaaS-based security solutions for your cloud infrastructure. A SaaS provider should provide client and server-side encryption with security management. It needs to complete full audit trails, especially if any hardware is deployed on-premises. It’s good practice for you, as the customer, to control the encryption keys. Protect ALL data by encrypting in transit and at rest, to prevent a data breach. Remember that ransomware is common today and backup lifecycles may not be enough protection. You can also design data access policies that Data Loss Prevention (DLP) enforces. This, along with technology, effectively safeguards data in cloud applications, as well as at endpoints. 3. Use antivirus/anti-malwareDeploy the necessary advanced antivirus/anti-malware programs to protect from phishing and any cyberattacks. Such programs have behavioral analytics and real-time threat intelligence to help detect and block attacks and malicious files from spreading through cloud email and file-sharing applications. 4. CASB tools![]() Cloud Access Security Broker, aka CASB, is cloud-hosted software or on-site software/ hardware that functions as the intermediary between users and SaaS providers. It’s used to give you much-needed visibility. It enables you to extend the reach of your organization’s security policies from the on-site infrastructure to the cloud. You’re also allowed to design new policies specific to cloud use, too. CASB typically serves as a policy enforcement center. It combines various types of security policies in the cloud so that businesses can safely use the cloud. Also, take some time to look into any shortcomings in the SaaS provider’s security features, as you can use CASB tools to help address these. CASB tools can help remove any security misconfigurations and correct high-risk user activity applications. Furthermore, they can also detect any unauthorized usage of cloud services, track users’ access, and control cloud services based on user, device, and application. Pay attention to the various CASB deployment modes and choose the best one that fits your organization. 5. MonitoringLike any other technology security, frequent updates are crucial. As such, SaaS providers must update their standardized Virtual Machine (VM) images and software. You must monitor and track all SaaS usage. Likely, information can prove helpful to detect any abnormalities or unexpected behavior. Examine the data collated from tools like CASBs. Analyze the logs provided by the SaaS provider. Be proactive, especially when it comes to security. Use a combination of automation and manual tools within the SaaS management systems, along with systematic risk management. So that you can keep in touch with any evolving SaaS usage, unexpected behavior, or anything suspicious. These measures are essential to ensure that users use SaaS safely while you always stay ahead and on top of things. 6. Network controlIt is important to have security group control configured to access specific instances across the network. This can include jump servers and Network Access Control Lists (NACL). Controlling at the network level provides an additional layer of security for virtual private clouds. This acts as a firewall to control and track traffic to and from the subnets. Such control at the network layer helps filter dangerous or suspicious traffic. This is done based on a pre-configured set of rules about the permitted types of traffic on the network. On top of that, some even implement higher protection such as prevention systems (IDS/IPS); these watch for suspicious traffic even after the firewall. 7. Proper governance and incident managementThis means putting in place the necessary Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all types of incidents. Likewise, they have to capture, note, report and track to closure. The SOPs should cover the investigation procedures even for any potential security breaches. 8. Scalability and reliabilityMany go for SaaS because of its capability to do vertical and horizontal scaling. The size of the server restricts the former while the latter focuses on the means to connect multiple hardware or software entities so that they can still function as a single unit. To cater for this, a SaaS provider must have sufficient redundancy in the infrastructure to ensure continuity of service. This is a best practice that all SaaS providers should have in place. Last but not least, there should be a reliable Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) in place to mitigate any disasters. ConclusionCloud computing will evolve with time and will gain even bigger momentum in the future. SaaS technology promises you a more agile performance and higher scalability at lower costs. As such, business will prefer the SaaS framework. With the right technology deployed and best practices in place, SaaS can be a serious contender, far better and more secure than on-site applications, even for those in critical financial and regulatory areas. There are ways to overcome SaaS challenges and help your business grow with time.
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