Turning up the heat on video analytics - Memphis Communications Corporation

For the average person watching people come and go from a retail store, a sporting event or even a hotel lobby, the movements can seem random, with no apparent pattern behind them.

But for those who are deploying the latest in video analytics, those same travels within a defined space can be tracked and analyzed to allow store operators, arena owners and hoteliers to make key business decisions related to merchandising, personnel positioning and, of course, security.

Heat mapping — one of the newest analytic tools available — provides a visual interpretation of traffic patterns. The movements of those people who appear to be merely walking through the store are now captured and analyzed, and the resulting data can be looked at more closely.

This becomes important in a retail setting as stores look to maximize the effectiveness of their displays and increase overall store performance. A promotion may seem successful on paper, but if no one can find the display within the store, or they don’t stop to really look at it, then sales will suffer. Heat mapping can show retailers the traffic patterns within the store and help them determine where the items should be placed.

Beyond displays, stores and venues can also use heat mapping to help them determine where to place permanent items such as ATMs. It may seem logical to put the machine at the entrance, but if the goal is to get people into the building, and heat mapping shows that people use the machine but then turn away, it may be better to place it within the facility.

Closely aligned with heat mapping is another analytics tool that helps make sense of the traffic analytics. Once it’s established where and how people are moving within a retail venue, the next move is to see how long they dwell or linger within the area, checking out the products on display.

Looking at the retail example, once the display is in its optimal location, the goal is to get shoppers to look at the products being sold and make a purchase. Dwell data tells us how long someone is stationary; linger does the same, but the person is usually milling about, rather than standing in one spot.

By integrating dwell and linger information with Point Of Sale data, it is possible to determine how many people stopped in front of the display for several seconds, or moved within the general area, are converted to buyers.

Dwell and linger data can also be used to determine how to assign personnel within an area. If analytics show that people are milling in a specific spot within a store, it may be necessary to send over a salesperson to offer assistance or, in the case of hotel, an additional desk clerk. Analytics that show a group gathering for a pre-determined period of time could also be a sign that security needs to check out what is going on as it could indicate suspicious behavior, such as a shelf sweep.

Of course, all this information won’t be of much good if it isn’t easy for the system’s user to retrieve and analyze the data. While security personnel are familiar with analytics, it may be new to those on the operations side. But today’s analytics are tailored in such a way that the information is accessible to everyone, no matter their IT expertise and no matter the size of the operation.

- See more at: http://www.memphiscommunications.net/blog/#sthash.jJZ02daZ.dpuf

For more details please contact us at:

Memphis Communications Corporation

4771 Summer Ave

Memphis, TN 38122

Tel:  901.725.9271

Fax: 901.272.3577

Toll Free:  866.805.5893

Service and Supplies:  901.257.2500

Email: sales@memphiscommunications.net

Website: http://www.memphiscommunications.net

Mobile Magic: Cloud Platforms Create New Opportunities for Printing – Memphis Communications Corporation

Let’s face it – despite the fact that tablets and smartphones now allow us to access our information on the go, the need to print isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Mobility, combined with cloud computing, has helped facilitate the development and expansion of the mobile workforce. And this evolution has actually created more opportunities for printing, driving the need to print business materials anywhere, anytime.

The convenience of accessing business documents when we’re out of the office only drives the need to print them. According to a recent Quocirca survey of 125 companies, 75 percent of respondents said printing still plays an important role in supporting business activities, and 55 percent said their employees would like to be able to print from their mobile devices as if they were using their desktop computers.

Currently, users aren’t printing from their mobile devices not because they don’t want to, but because they can’t. A 2011 survey by Info Trends found that 48 percent of people who didn’t print from their mobile devices didn’t have access to a mobile-enabled printer, and another 32 percent cited the lack of support from their mobile devices. Only 29 percent cited having no need to print remotely. According to Xerox, only one in five mobile workers is actually able to print from their mobile devices.

Although mobile printing is still an underutilized business function, as the technology grows and becomes less fragmented, more and more organizations will provide employees with the capability to simply and securely print from their mobile devices. This newfound flexibility will benefit companies in numerous ways, including:

• Printing on demand from mobile devices promotes user mobility, enabling people to securely connect with the workplace from almost anywhere

• Mobile printing increases productivity, empowering employees to perform at their highest level, even when not in the office

• This freedom allows remote employees to be prepared for every presentation, every time

Even in this digital age, printed documents are a necessity for most businesses. Mobile printing not only allows for more flexibility when workers are away from their desks, but it also creates new business opportunities as the technology grows and evolves.

- See more at: http://www.memphiscommunications.net/blog/#sthash.q49hzb8x.dpuf

For more details please contact us at:

Memphis Communications Corporation

4771 Summer Ave

Memphis, TN 38122

Tel:  901.725.9271

Fax: 901.272.3577

Toll Free:  866.805.5893

Service and Supplies:  901.257.2500

Email: sales@memphiscommunications.net

Website: http://www.memphiscommunications.net

Lexmark adds four new A3/ledger-capable devices to portfolio - Memphis Communications

Lexmark announced the addition of four new A3/ledger-capable devices to our portfolio of smart MFPs and printers. Brian Henderson, director of Lexmark’s worldwide hardware marketing, helps explain more.

How do these devices complement our other offerings in the marketplace?

These devices assist an enterprise in completing a portfolio that meets the needs of every user group within the organization. Even though A3-size paper (11 inches by 17 inches) is used less than 3 percent of the time, for those parts of the organization that require this size, these devices are essential. Lexmark recognizes that our customers want a complete portfolio of products from one provider that has a seamless and easy to use experience across all devices.

For those who aren’t familiar with the terms ‘A4’ and ‘A3’, can you describe the difference between the two, and the advantages each brings to business?

The terms “A4” and “A3” represent paper sizes. A4 is the size term used outside of the U.S. Within the U.S., we refer to letter and legal. Most A4 printers have the capability to print A4/letter (8.5 inches by 11 inches) and legal (8.5 inches by 14 inches)-sized paper.
A3 paper is equivalent to tabloid or ledger paper that measures 11 inches by 17 inches in size. In this case, the Lexmark devices we are announcing today are SRA3, meaning they can support paper sizes up to 12 inches by 18 inches.

Lexmark has long been a leader in A4 technology and emphatically states its predominance in the marketplace today. Why would an enterprise or business need A3 capabilities?

Occasionally, within an enterprise, certain organizations like finance, IT or development will have large complicated documents that need to be printed, such as accounting worksheets, CAD drawings, schematics, etc. These are typically printed on tabloid paper to be more readable. Industry experts have found that this represents less than 3 percent of all printing, which is why these devices are more complementary devices within a fleet and not a core element. The Lexmark A4 large workgroup printers and MFPs offer similar robustness, reliability and finishing options, and can easily substitute for A3 placements that do not truly require that size paper.

One of the big differentiators for Lexmark’s smart MFPs is solutions capability. Why is this the case, and will these A3 devices have this same level of solutions enablement?

These new A3 devices will be solutions-enabled. Lexmark has been consistent over the years in being a leader in ease of use of our devices, and these A3 devices are no different. One element of value that Lexmark customers recognize is the consistency of our user interface across devices and platforms, such that their users can easily move from one device to another without the need for training.

Regarding solutions, Lexmark recognizes that companies want to be more efficient, and they want to reduce their reliance on paper in order to reduce cost, streamline their access to information and to be more environmentally friendly. This is what Lexmark solutions are designed to accomplish, helping employees be more productive and bridging the information gap that exists between the paper and digital worlds. Therefore, our A3 products, just as our A4 products, join in the smart MFP ecosystem and all support Lexmark solutions.

What other features and functionality do these devices have that set them apart from competitors in the marketplace?

These new products offer the Lexmark eTask color touch screen interface that is icon-driven and very easy to use. The screens are programmable and have a consistent experience across the A3 and A4 devices. All Lexmark solutions are compatible with each device.
Lexmark provides enterprise-class security standard on these devices without the need for purchasing a security kit. The devices have an encrypted hard drive that wipes clean after each job, government certifications on encryption modules (FIPS 140-2) and Common Criteria Certification.
These Lexmark devices also offer a full range of finishing options from stapling to tri-fold.

To learn more about Lexmark, contact MCC’s Document Solutions Division today!

For more details please contact us at:

Memphis Communications Corporation

4771 Summer Ave

Memphis, TN 38122

Tel:  901.725.9271

Fax: 901.272.3577

Toll Free:  866.805.5893

Service and Supplies:  901.257.2500

Email: sales@memphiscommunications.net

Website: http://www.memphiscommunications.net

Hybrid Clouds an Emerging Solution in Large Enterprises – Memphis Communications Corp

Venture Beat reports that hybrid cloud deployments are an emerging trend in companies that need to provision computing resources over the internet.

Many companies, right now, are using public cloud systems to store documents.  These infrastructures are available to the general public through third party cloud service providers (CSP). The company or individual uses the CSP’s cloud services and shares these services with other users, much in the same way one would use and pay for electricity. However, this gives a company little ability to monitor and control the cloud’s security and governance.

A second method that companies may use is a private cloud system. With this model, the company pays the CSP to provide specific cloud services solely in use by the company. The agency constructs its own standards for their computing resources and the CSP provides the services at an extra cost. A CIO can provide the resources as on-demand services to sections of the company, and the company will be charged based on use. This allows the CIO to host the cloud on-premises, connect through private networks, and enforce their own data security standards and controls.

In a hybrid system, companies utilize both methods by storing sensitive data within a private cloud and allowing less sensitive information to be accessed within a public service. Also, companies can pick and choose when to spend money on private services and when to save and use a public cloud. A CIO could prepare for workload spikes and designate services beforehand. Then, during lulls in data usage, the CIO could allocate information to the public cloud and save on cost.

The largest problem with the services now is setting them up. There are a limited amount of integrators suited to build a hybrid infrastructure. The change is coming, however. Gartner predicts that 50 percent of large enterprises will have hybrid cloud deployments by the end of 2017. For many companies, the time has come to start thinking about a hybrid solution

For more information about different cloud services, contact MCC’s Integrated Solutions Division today!

- See more at: http://www.memphiscommunications.net/blog/#sthash.ejitFmB8.dpuf

For more details please contact us at:

Memphis Communications Corporation

4771 Summer Ave

Memphis, TN 38122

Tel:  901.725.9271

Fax: 901.272.3577

Toll Free:  866.805.5893

Service and Supplies:  901.257.2500

Email: sales@memphiscommunications.net

Website: http://www.memphiscommunications.net

Cloud Storage: 7 Must-Have Features for Business - Memphis Communications

Cloud storage is one of the best ways to keep your business’s important data safe and accessible.

More and more small and midsize businesses are turning to cloud storage services to keep files and documents backed up and available from any Internet-connected device — even when those files contain sensitive company and client data.

Adopting a cloud storage platform will keep your files at your fingertips, but choosing one can be tricky. A dizzying array of cloud computing services have emerged, each with a unique feature set.

When choosing a cloud service, it’s important for each business to consider its individual needs. Instead of looking at the best overall cloud storage solutions, we’ve compiled a list of seven important features to look for in your next cloud storage service.

1. File versioning

With a service that supports file versioning, you can edit worry-free.

Services with this feature don’t overwrite your old files when you make changes. Instead, they save multiple versions of your files so you can retrieve the old copies later.

That could be a lifesaver for business users who need to retrieve important data that have been overwritten.

The vast majority of cloud computing services support file versioning in some form, but some will only maintain a limited number of versions, or even delete old versions after a set period of time.

Even if a file is deleted, most services allow you to retrieve it. Check to see how long the service saves deleted files before they’re wiped forever.

2. Automatic sync

Automatic syncing capabilities are a must for business users who depend on the cloud. Services with this feature will update your files to reflect any edits you make in real time.

Not all services with syncing functionality will do it automatically. That could be a major problem if you forget to sync your files before your next business trip.

With automatic syncing, you can rest easy knowing that your data are always up-to-date. The best cloud storage services also allow users to schedule permanent backups to an external drive to occur at specified time intervals.

3. Collaboration tools

When you need to share and edit files with an employee or other member of your business team, you’ll want top-notch tools.

Collaboration features vary by service. The best services allow users to share files with an authorized user on any device in multiple ways, including via direct link and email.

The best services also keep your shared data secure, with nuanced password protection that can be enabled at the folder and sub-folder levels.

Before picking a service, make sure it has features to fit the workflow of your team.

4. View and edit files from the cloud

This is the bread and butter of a business-ready cloud computing platform. Transferring important files from device to device is a time-consuming hassle; business owners need to access their files at a moment’s notice, wherever they are.

The vast majority of cloud computing services allow users to view and edit files from the cloud on any computer, smartphone, tablet or other Internet-connected device. That means you can make quick edits on the fly, and have your edits synced across all your devices.

But make sure to double-check before you subscribe. Some services, like the music- and media-focused Amazon Cloud Drive, require you to download a file to your hard drive to make edits and then reupload it to the cloud once you’re finished.

When you’re working on the go, that shortcoming could seriously hamper your productivity.

5. Security and file encryption

Security is a top concern when you take your business to the cloud. Your company’s private data could be compromised if the service you use lacks the right features.

Make sure your service encrypts your data at least once before it ever leaves your servers. The best services also allow you to pick your own encryption key so that not even that company’s employees can view your files.

You should also have the ability to protect your files with a password, particularly when accessing them from a mobile device, as well as the capability to set different levels of access for different employees.

Top-notch security features will let you relax when sending private information about your clients to the cloud.

6. Flexible storage capacity at an affordable price

Your storage needs are unique to your business. Small business owners are most likely looking for a cloud storage platform that can accommodate data from five to 10 employees, with ample space at a reasonable price.

Some storage platforms offer a limited amount of data for a cheap price and get progressively more expensive as they scale up; others start off at a more expensive rate but offer bigger storage plans at a lower rate.

The price for 1TB of storage can vary from as little as $250 up to thousands of dollars per year, depending on which features you need. And only some services offer plans with unlimited data storage, though your small business may have more modest needs.

Still, the best cloud storage solutions may be the ones that can grow alongside your business. You may be starting off with just a handful of employees, but consider picking a service that can accommodate your company well into the future.

7. Reliable tech support

When it comes to your business’s daily operations, technical difficulties are no joke. If you or your employees can’t access important files when they’re needed, it could seriously cost you.

Help and technical support services vary from service to service. The best services respond promptly and have someone available to help you 24/7.

In addition to email and phone support, some services also offer live text chat to help you troubleshoot. Take a few minutes to review your options before choosing a cloud storage solution.

Learn more about Cloud services by contacting MCC’s Integrated Solutions Division today!

- See more at: http://www.memphiscommunications.net/blog/#sthash.52v4EDHY.dpuf

For more details please contact us at:

Memphis Communications Corporation

4771 Summer Ave

Memphis, TN 38122

Tel:  901.725.9271

Fax: 901.272.3577

Toll Free:  866.805.5893

Service and Supplies:  901.257.2500

Email: sales@memphiscommunications.net

Website: http://www.memphiscommunications.net