Musato Technologies Blog

Python programming language

Published July 16, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

What is Python? Everything you need to know

Why the Python programming language shines for data science, machine learning, systems automation, web and API development, and beyond.

Dating from 1991, Python is a relatively new programming language. From the start, Python was considered a gap-filler, a way to write scripts that “automate the boring stuff” (as one popular book on learning Python put it) or to rapidly prototype applications that will be implemented in one or more other languages.

However, over the past few years, Python has emerged as a first-class citizen in modern software development, infrastructure management, and data analysis. It is no longer a back-room utility language, but a major force in web application development and systems management and a key driver behind the explosion in big data analytics and machine intelligence.

Python’s success revolves around several advantages it provides for beginners and experts alike: Continue reading →

Posted in Information Technologies, Musato Technologies, Programming Language, Software Development | Tagged Application, Application Development, Python, Python Programming Language, Software Development

Network-Attached Storage

Published July 15, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Network-Attached Storage (NAS)

At its most basic, a NAS is used largely for storage and sharing files across a network, but the newest devices can do so much more. We help you understand what to look for when shopping for network-attached storage.

A network-attached storage (NAS) device is primarily a centralized repository for data. It differs from a direct-attached storage (DAS) device in that instead of attaching directly to a computer, it attaches to (you guessed it) a network. Most NASes are used largely for storage and for sharing files across a network, but the newest NASes can do so much more. In fact, they can do so many things that shopping for one can be confusing. Here’s what you need to know when selecting network-attached storage.

A NAS is a server. Most NASes can be used as multimedia servers, as most support the UPnP and DLNA protocols. These protocols are for sharing and streaming multimedia files to devices such as gaming consoles, tablets, and phones on a network. NASes are also multifaceted devices that can often be configured as FTP, The Web, e-mail, and print servers. Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Storage, Enterprise Computing, Musato Technologies, Network Services, Network-Attached Storage, Servers | Tagged Computer Storage, NAS, Network-Attached Storage (NAS)

Microsoft Dynamics 365

Published July 15, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations

Microsoft Dynamics: Business Edition Software Overview

Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Business Edition is a cloud-based accounting system that’s easy to navigate and tightly integrated with Office 365 and other Microsoft cloud applications. It’s a solid offering but may lack features that some small and midsize businesses (SMBs) require.

Formally launched in November 2016 and still something of a work in progress, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Finance and Operations, Business Edition (Dynamics 365) joins other current Microsoft Dynamics enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications, including Dynamics GP and Dynamics NAV, among others.

What Microsoft Dynamics 365 brings to the table is a focus on small and midsize enterprises (SME) and a cloud-only deployment model. Prices start at $40 per month per user, though each “Team Member” (users that only need to observe but not enter or change information) pays only $5 per month. As with most SME ERP and accounting systems, you’ll have to deal with a Microsoft Partner to obtain the app, so you’ll only get a final cost once that entity has added its charges.

While Dynamics 365 was a solid offering, its current lack of CRM, payroll, and project management (PM) capabilities keep it behind our current ERP Editors’ Choice winners Oracle NetSuite OneWorldLearn More at Netsuite and Syspro$199.00 at Syspro, at least for now. Continue reading →

Posted in CRM, Enterprise Computing, Enterprise Software, Information Technologies, Investing in technology, Microsoft | Tagged CRM, Dynamics, Enterprise Software, ERP, ERP Software, Finance, Microsoft Dynamics 365

Web Hosting Services

Published July 13, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Why You Need Web Hosting

Business owners, answer this important question: Does your company have a website? If not, it should. Naturally, online businesses demand websites for marketing and selling products or services, but even brick-and-mortar businesses need to be discoverable via the web. Word of mouth just doesn’t cut it anymore. These days, people discover new businesses via Bing, Google, and Yahoo, search engines that make it incredibly simple to find companies’ products, operational hours, and prices. If your business doesn’t appear in the search results, especially on the first page, it’ll be incredibly difficult for potential clients and customers to find you. The TL;DR? No website, no money. No one wants that. – Web Hosting Services Continue reading →

Posted in Musato Technologies, Technology, Web Hosting Services, Website, Website Design in Durban, Windows Servers | Tagged Web Hosting Services, Website design, Website Hosting, websites

Google cloud network services

Published July 7, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Google cloud network services

Without a solid network, cloud resources can’t communicate like they need to. If you’re a Google cloud user, know these options to keep those communication lines strong.-Google cloud network services

Whether through the public Internet or a private connection, each cloud computing model requires users to connect via a network. And a poorly designed network architecture can negatively affect other components within a cloud-based infrastructure.

Top public cloud providers, such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), have their own native network offerings. Google cloud network services offer private and software-defined network options to manage virtual private clouds (VPCs), scale applications, reduce latency and more. Continue reading →

Posted in cloud network services, Google, Musato Technologies, Network Services, Networks, Technology, Virtualization | Tagged cloud network services, Google, network services

Three Mistakes IT Makes-Part I

Published July 6, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

3 mistakes IT makes that could be costly

It’s an understatement to say that IT departments are busy. From maintenance to troubleshooting, managing ongoing projects and overseeing resolutions on outages or system failures, there’s often little time for future project planning.

However, when details get lost in the shuffle, that’s when costly mistakes happen. These mistakes can carry a heavy price tag, affecting your personal reputation and that of your organization. What’s worse is that these aren’t your “I spilled my coffee on a server” moments. These are systematic failings that many IT organizations make—often
needlessly.

Is your growing data a growing problem?

Your data is the lifeblood of your organization. In the information economy, a growing business means an increasing amount of data is transferred between your employees, customers, business partners, and vendors. Issues start to arise when your file transfer infrastructure fails to scale with the growing needs of your business. Continue reading →

Posted in Cloud Computing, IT, IT Services, Technology, Technology risks | Tagged Information Technology, IT

Successful Brand

Published July 4, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

3 essential elements of a successful brand

When we think of a brand, we often think of logos, color schemes, and taglines. But a successful brand is much more than this.

A brand is an experience your company provides to customers throughout their buying relationship with you. Every customer touchpoint is a brand moment.

Developing your organization’s brand is the first step in creating effective marketing and sales strategies. It allows your entire company to understand your place in the market and that means you’re better equipped to reach your audience with the right messages.

A solid brand is a foundation upon which your corporate culture and future growth are built. Businesses like Lululemon, Zappos and David’s Tea are great examples of companies that have built success by living and breathing their brand. Continue reading →

Posted in Branding, Brands, Marketing | Tagged Brands, Company Branding, Marketing, Successful Brand

IT Services Business

Published July 1, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Building a Personality for Your IT Services Business

Today’s IT services companies are no longer just focused on computers, networks, and the technologies that drive them. The speeds and feeds that used to drive customer conversations have been replaced with discussions around topics such as long-term business objectives, compliance requirements, and the benefits of automating certain organizational procedures. Your clients value professionals who understand the complexities of running a business in today’s environment — especially those who can simplify the experience and make it much more enjoyable and profitable.- IT Services Business

That type of expertise requires a shift in strategy. A personality transplant, if you will. Today’s IT service provider must create a highly engaging atmosphere where interactions with management personnel are as common as those with their line workers. The more communication between the organizations, the better the design of their solutions and the greater the outcome of their collaborative efforts. Continue reading →

Posted in Cloud Computing, Information Technologies, Investing in technology, IT, IT Services | Tagged Information Technology, IT, IT Services Business, Musato Technologies

Microsoft Mobile Management Tools

Published June 30, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Microsoft consolidates its mobile management tools under Azure

The move should help companies more efficiently deploy and manage PCs. Microsoft has consolidated its Enterprise Mobility + Security (EMS) suite of products under its Azure portal, combining its Intune mobile application management tools and its Azure Active Directory (AD) and Information Protection under a single console.-Mobile Management

The move offers a unified admin experience aimed at bolstering enterprise mobility management efforts.

Microsoft introduced the EMS suite in March 2014, targeting businesses with strong mobile and cloud-first strategies.

“The move to the cloud is driving unprecedented investments in security and management. As part of this, enterprises are consolidating services to improve efficiency while increasing user productivity,” a Microsoft spokesperson said via.

The Microsoft move should allow companies to better deploy and manage PCs, according to David Johnson, Forrester Research’s principal analyst for infrastructure and operations. Continue reading →

Posted in Azure, Microsoft, Mobile application, Mobile Apps, Mobility | Tagged Azure, Microsoft, Mobile Management, mobile management tools

IT Support Call Fraudsters

Published June 30, 2017 | By Gideon E. M

Microsoft IT Support Call Fraudsters Arrested

Four people arrested in the UK following tens of thousands of fraudulent calls being made every year demanding money for non-existent PC problems.-IT Support Call Fraudsters

Fraudulent IT support calls… if you haven’t experienced one first hand, you likely know someone who has. Typically the victim receives a call from someone claiming to work for Microsoft in their IT support department. The fraudster explains how a fault has been discovered on your PC and they want to help fix it. But there is no fault, only a large bill to pay after they have gained remote access to your PC and uploaded files that make it look like there’s an infection.

If the victim pays, the fraud may end there, but sometimes a month or so later another call is made telling the victim they are due a refund. If bank details are handed over, even more cash is taken rather than a refund being issued. Continue reading →

Posted in cyber-security, Scams, Technology risks | Tagged IT Support Call Fraudsters, Scams