Small businesses spend an average of $192,000 a year on technology, according to Spiceworks’ State of SMB IT survey. While that figure is a drop in the bucket for most large corporations, for smaller businesses it represents a huge investment. Small-business owners continue to seek ways to get the most value for every dollar they spend on technology.Savvy small-business owners (SBOs) know that doing more with less is key to their success. An aspect of this is strategically spending money on technology that can meet a multitude of requirements. Many are choosing tablet technology that allows them to quickly and…
Author: Brandpoint
(BPT) – It is no secret that kids love video games – they’re exciting, fun and engrossing. As a parent, you worry about the negative effects of screen time. Nevertheless, many video games are not only fun, but also build and strengthen cognitive development – skills in problem solving, reasoning, math and science. So how can a parent choose?’In past decades, educational video games were known for poor design and cheap production,’ says Jason Wiser, faculty in the Media Arts & Animation program at The New England Institute of Art, ‘with wonderful exceptions like Zoombinis and Oregon Trail putting all…
(BPT) – Four hundred gallons – that’s how much water the average American home uses in a day, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Is it any wonder? You turn on the tap to get a drink and run the water until it feels cool, or let the shower pour until the water is hot enough. The toilet or irrigation system runs a bit too long, and your dishwasher dates to the Clinton administration.The good news is that Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the need to conserve water, both for the good of the environment and to save money.…
(BPT) – If you think water damage isn’t a real threat for millions of Americans, consider this: water damage caused $9.1 billion in annual homeowner property losses over a three-year period, according to a 2011 ACE Insurance Underwriters study. Despite that, many people don’t worry about protecting their home against water damage because they believe their home is safe so long as it isn’t located on a flood plain.This couldn’t be further from the truth.In fact, flooding grabs the headlines, but the majority of water damage home insurance claims actually come from leaky or burst pipes.The primary cause for concern…
(BPT) – With the warm weather putting beach and barbecue plans in full swing, it can be tough to stay productive during the summer months. The key to getting it all done lies in finding the right device that makes work portable, so you can enjoy the sun without needing to be glued to your office. The following tips can help you ensure that the technology you have makes it easy to make more happen in less time.* Do some quick research: With the amount of choices available, it can feel overwhelming to start looking for the right tablet or…
(BPT) – Due to the explosion of online transactions, social media and mobile technology, cybercrime can happen almost anywhere at any time. The good news is that it doesn’t take a computer genius to protect yourself and your family from the proliferation of cyber criminals who are running scams or seeking to steal your identity.Cybercriminals victimized 71 million people in the United States in 2012, according to a recent report by the electronic security company Symantec. The problem has become so bad that FBI Director Robert Muller expects cybercrime to eventually overtake both terrorism and counter intelligence as his agency’s…
(BPT) – A peculiar corkscrew sensation goes up one’s spine when a tornado siren goes off in the dead of night. It means a tornado is on the ground. You know it’s coming. You can hear it and you can feel it. You just can’t see it and don’t know where it is until it might be right on top of you, literally.Tornado season has arrived for many areas of the United States, and unfortunately, hundreds if not thousands of Americans will experience that sensation this spring and summer. For many, those sirens in the middle of the night might…
(BPT) – A lot has changed since you were in school. Your children don’t listen to the same types of music you enjoyed, and they certainly dress differently despite your protests.They learn differently as well.Today’s classrooms are no longer focused on chalkboards and lectures. Digital devices tied to curriculum leveraging big data technology are becoming more central to learning and are key to creating dynamic classrooms that support personalizing learning for every student. This new approach is helping students to learn at their own pace and aids educators to deeply engage with students in their learning process. These new technologies…
(BPT) – Every day, millions of Americans turn to the Internet for news and entertainment and to shop. Over the years, Americans have come to trust the Internet so much, that they regularly share information about their daily lives through social media sites and with online retailers.But what many may not realize is that within just a few clicks, there’s an unregulated digital frontier where people, including criminals, buy and sell illegal drugs, guns and pornography, as well as personal and financial details about ordinary individuals. Fueled by software that conceals the identity of people, and digital currency, it’s a…
(BPT) – Reduce, reuse, recycle – it’s a mantra we’ve known for decades. While Americans understand the benefits of recycling bottles, cans and paper, they aren’t as savvy when it comes to recycling electronics. Between cellphones, tablets, computers and other consumer electronic devices, the average U.S. house has 24 electronic devices – making for a lot of e-waste when that technology becomes dated.While it may be tempting to put electronic devices and batteries in the trash, it’s critical to understand how to properly dispose of and recycle electronics because each contains contaminants that are harmful to the environment. Here are…