Blog | Page 4

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) is a growing business. In fact, Deloitte's analysis shows a 12.5% growth year over year from 2017, with projected revenue at $3.1 billion by 2020. This growth is driven by commercial printers, which are capable of printing and finishing a wide variety of parts and products using virtually any material.

Robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming industry as we know it. Robots already have a long-standing history with supply chain technology, with one of the earliest industrial robots inspiring modern day Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs.) No longer a plot point in science fiction dramas, these new technologies have presented real opportunities for improvements across supply chains. While the cost of implementing robotics into the supply chain may be an easy decision for industry giants like Amazon, for smaller businesses, implementing robotics into their supply chain is still in the distant future. 

Windows 7 users have been getting reminders all year from Microsoft. Why? Windows 7 product support is ending on January 14, 2020, leaving users scrambling to figure out what to do next. Thankfully, this isn’t a new phenomenon. It’s not unusual for an operating system (OS) to become obsolete.

Digital signage is commonplace in modern business, and it's getting more sophisticated too. Fast-food chains, for example, have digital signage content running behind the counters and in drive-thru’s (McDonald's, Wendy’s, Starbucks) while customers order on large touchscreens on the self-service kiosks placed in dining areas.

HP continues to innovate and has announced its latest printing innovations, including 50 launch applications, that enable the digital & mobile workforce to seamlessly integrate paper and digital workstreams.  

If recycling were readily available in more areas of our lives, we’d probably recycle most of our broken or unneeded products and used containers, right? Unfortunately, without a recycling program, many offices throw out their empty printer cartridges, or let them pile up in the office.

While it’s easy to throw those empty cartridges away, it’s also hazardous to the environment. Ink and toner cartridges have toxic chemicals in them, and there’s often ink left even when the printer determines the ink is low. Plus, ink cartridges can last in a landfill for over 400 years!

Architects need a reliable wide format printer. Each build requires multiple schematics that must be legible and accurate. Otherwise, the business could end up with a costly disaster mid-build. Government regulators also keep a close eye on standardization when processing paperwork and approving builds.

From the printing press to the electric lightbulb, innovations have driven the world into today’s increasingly tech-based arena. Business and the marketplace constantly push for better, faster, more secure technology. Recent research from CompTIA found 30% of businesses are focused on managed IT services, making it the number one business solution on the market. From e-commerce and customer services to backend operations like supply chain management, it’s clear that technology is the key to unlocking success.

I live near Nashville, Tennessee, which is quickly becoming one of the most desired destinations in the southeast to visit, live, and work in. Nashville is always gaining headway as a top location choice for corporate headquarters and large regional office locations for many companies. In the last several years, Nissan North America, Mitsubishi, Dell, Amazon, Pilot Corp and many others made the move to Nashville. Much of the influx came after Nashville became home to the Tennessee Titans and the Nashville Predators. Nashville is even getting a Major League Soccer team in 2020!