Category: Management

Head in the Clouds? Insights & Tips for Cloud Services.

Posted on by annaktaylor
panoramic-clouds-and-lake

 

Cloud services and computing are rapidly becoming a major part of how organizations operate, manage data, and perform digital transactions.  IaaS (Infrastructure as a Software) provides broad opportunities for small companies and mid-size enterprises to take advantage of capabilities that would normally be unavailable or too costly within an integrated backend system.

The benefit of moving to a cloud includes a significant reduction in costs by utilizing shared resources, greater efficiencies with on-demand usage, and a wider pool of services for auto-scaling.

The greatest challenge is understanding the range of cloud services in order to select the best framework for both your current state and future state.

Key considerations are:

  • What is the business case for modifying the current infrastructure by partially or entirely moving to the cloud?
  • What are the critical requirements that must be met based on the company’s business model, technology stack, data composition, system complexity, budget, resources, etc.?

To fully define needs and essential services, start with an audit and evaluation of the following:

  • Storage and Usage Patterns
  • Interface
  • Applications and Computing Needs
  • Databases
  • Operations
  • Systems and Processors
  • CPU, Physical RAM and Virtual Memory
  • Network and APIs
  • Users and Accesses
  • Governance and Security

Continue reading “Head in the Clouds? Insights & Tips for Cloud Services.” →

Leaning Into a Lean Approach

Posted on by annaktaylor
marketing-success-go-after-it

 

There are a wide range of models and principles around operating a lean business. While being ambitious and driven are admirable, there are many challenges and pitfalls that could undermine your genuine interest in rapid growth.

The primary objective of ‘lean’ is sustainable progress, which may include reducing errors, eliminating unnecessary costs, raising performance, targeted augmentation, customer experience optimization etc.

A high level framework:

  • Build Value
  • Create Impact
  • Increase Velocity & Pace of Production
  • Perform Project  and Priority Mapping
  • Streamline Processes
  • Reduce Workflow Inefficiencies
  • Lower Costs

Continue reading “Leaning Into a Lean Approach” →

Best Practice for Managing Digital Assets

Posted on by annaktaylor

A brand has a broad array of components such as graphics, messaging, style guide, logos, marketing materials, business templates, video files, signage, event provisions, promotional designs and many other resources. Managing these assets effectively with essential protocols requires a centralized system that has features such as:

 

  • Directory mapping
  • File hierarchy
  • Browser-based interface
  • Optimal findability
  • Ease and speed of import / export
  • Preferred display options
  • Categorization and configuring models
  • Well-defined naming conventions
  • Customizable taxonomies to allow for industry-specific classifications
  • Metadata for search optimization
  • Accessibility permissions and controls
  • Security functions
  • Detection of duplicates
  • File lifecycle tracking
  • Administrative tools including file transformation, resizing & transcoding
  • Auto-generated notifications and alerts

 

Many companies still rely on depositories that consume a tremendous amount of time for manual management. Further, depository link sharing rarely has longstanding dependability.

 

While it may be challenging to offer a concise ROI for investing in an asset management system, the organizational gains are significant & time-savings is a cost benefit that will payback appreciably. Avoid the stockpile implications – and don’t put your assets on the line!

pile-of-covered-books