Five Nines IT Solutions

Passwords. Ugh. Proving you are indeed you has become a regular occurrence. Photo ID, passports and badges work in face-to-face encounters, but online, not so much. There we must rely on other means to confirm our identities as a good percentage of the seven-billon other planetary residents are trying to do the same thing at any given time. Until every resource on the Internet can agree on standards for emerging technologies such as biometrics like facial or voice recognition, fingerprints and retinal scans, or we’re all implanted with RFID chips or other biomechanical devices, we’re pretty much stuck with using passwords.  Once again, Ugh. The good news Using the characters on a typical keyboard, you have approximately 3,051,925,477,389,360 possible 8-character passwords, give or take a few trillion. The bad news You must come up with and remember at least one of those combinations. The badder news You really shouldn’t use the same password for multiple s

It's easy to meet through Microsoft Teams. You can invite others to meet right now, or you can schedule a future meeting through the calendar tab. Participants can take notes, invite others, share content, and even record the meeting for team members to watch later. After each meeting, all the notes, recordings, shared files, and conversations are available for future reference. Teams takes the stress out of scheduling, organizing and recording meetings, so you can focus on content and collaboration. Even better, Office 365 and Teams A1 is free to educators right now!

"Why Cloud" shows your nonprofit customers how they can increase productivity, enhance professionalism, and increase security in their organization with supercharged, business-class email from Microsoft. Contact us today to learn how Microsoft Office 365 cloud solutions can make a measurable impact on your organization. View: Why Cloud Flyer

"10 Myths On Moving To The Cloud" helps nonprofits unpack what they really need to know by revealing 10 common misconceptions about moving to Microsoft Office 365. Each myth is countered by the truth and benefits of moving applications to a hosted solution. To learn how Microsoft Office 365 cloud solutions can make a measurable difference for your organization, contact us today. View: 10 Myths On Moving To The Cloud

Successful digital transformation initiatives are all about efficiency, customization, and complementing human ingenuity. They also strive to create more sustainable businesses, and their impact usually has disruptive, long-lasting effects that cascade across multiple industries, especially those in which processes were hard to update because of technological limitations. In the supermarket industry, for example, paper price tags, coupons, and pamphlets with weekly offers were the norm for decades. Because of this, the shopping experience was pretty much the same—until now. In this article, you'll gain insights into Kroger's Enhanced Display for Grocery Environment (EDGE) and how it leverages Microsoft Azure and IoT sensors to create a unique, personalized shopping experience for consumers—all while saving more than 1.7 billion kilowatt hours since its implementation. Read More...

IoT is no longer a novelty, and still it surprises us each day with new, innovative solutions to everyday tasks. When was the last time you checked the TV for the weather, or had to download your photos to a computer so you could share them with friends or relatives? Unless you're a meteorologist or professional photographer, chances are it's been a long time since you did either of those things. Today, our devices do almost everything for us. From scheduling our appointments to letting us know when our heart rate is above or below safe levels, to everything in between. Our IoT devices truly get to know us better than we thought we knew ourselves. So why not utilize this data to create amazing experiences with the products and services we use every day? In this article, you'll learn how the IoT is helping businesses reevaluate the way they interact with their customers to create new, non-intrusive, and relevant business opportunities that are changing the way we look at t

As digital transformation evolves with each passing year, so too does the information security landscape. For organizations that leverage cloud technology, this means staying updated on new ways to prevent and counter cybersecurity threats while relying on trustworthy sources of information for insights into future potential security developments and circumstances. In this article, you'll learn about three critical cybersecurity predictions for 2020, the impact each may have on the digital business landscape, and how your business can act to avoid being affected. Read More...

As digital transformation evolves with each passing year, so too does the information security landscape. For organizations that leverage cloud technology, this means staying updated on new ways to prevent and counter cybersecurity threats while relying on trustworthy sources of information for insights into future potential security developments and circumstances. In this article, you'll learn about three critical cybersecurity predictions for 2020, the impact each may have on the digital business landscape, and how your business can act to avoid being affected. Read More...

As digital transformation evolves with each passing year, so too does the information security landscape. For organizations that leverage cloud technology, this means staying updated on new ways to prevent and counter cybersecurity threats while relying on trustworthy sources of information for insights into future potential security developments and circumstances. In this article, you'll learn about three critical cybersecurity predictions for 2020, the impact each may have on the digital business landscape, and how your business can act to avoid being affected. Read More...

This infographic provides helpful guidance on how to be productive and maintain healthy boundaries while working from home. View: Remote working checklist

This infographic provides helpful guidance on how to be productive and maintain healthy boundaries while working from home. View: Remote working checklist

This infographic provides helpful guidance on how to be productive and maintain healthy boundaries while working from home. View: Remote working checklist

IoT is everywhere: industries, smart cities, homes, and wearables are just a few examples. It's an everyday reality and the number of connected devices is rising rapidly. But with connectivity comes vulnerability. IoT devices present always-on targets for hackers looking to access your business' network and device cloud, gain malicious control of the device, or steal critical data. Since there are so many potential ways in which cybercriminals can hack into online devices, it's no secret that their connections to each other and the cloud need scalable and easily deployable security solutions. Read this infographic to learn about the 4 most commonly used standards for secure hardware used to protect today's devices. View: The 4 main types of secure hardware

This video is a quick introduction on how to use Microsoft Teams. The tutorial highlights such features as channels, chat, calls, and files. Watch this video to see how Teams can help your employees collaborate and stay organized.

Now, more than ever, consumers expect convenience when it comes to buying products and obtaining services. For retail businesses, this means accurately predicting what customers want before they even set foot in the store, and delivering it in a way that requires the least amount of effort on their part. Thankfully, digital has empowered retail stores with innovative tools that can deliver relevant offers while creating memorable experiences that generate great customer reviews. In this infographic, you'll learn about three emerging technologies available within Microsoft Dynamics 365 that are driving the evolution of retail experiences. View: Take advantage of three emerging technologies driving change in retail

No technology is a hundred percent failproof, and as businesses get more and more digitalized, they're also unwillingly increasing the risk of someone stealing their data or compromising their credibility. Therefore, before taking their business to the cloud, organizations must carefully choose the platforms that ensure the safety and compliance of their data while enabling them to seize the opportunities available to them. In this infographic, you'll catch a glimpse of both sides of cloud technology: on one hand, the immense opportunities it provides in terms of innovation and mobility; and on the other, the risks that businesses must be aware of to safeguard the continuity of their operations in the digital world. View: 6 risks and opportunities of the intelligent, connected cloud

Data. There's a lot of it, and it's everywhere. Azure cloud services helps organizations manage all aspects of their volumes of data. Here is an example of how a company in the oil and gas industry could utilize Azure Cosmos DB for data acquisition and Power BI for rich analytics with real-time insights. Through partnering with Microsoft, a company like Lizo would be able to actualize their vision of next-generation data analysis and visualization. Watch this and look for additional Lizo videos to demonstrate the capabilities and power of Azure!

This video shows teachers how to save time by grading students' assignments in Teams. Specifically, it addresses how to efficiently leave comments, quickly insert personalized feedback, and grade with already-provided rubrics (that total scores for you). Watch this short video to learn the essentials of how to streamline grading in Teams.

Regardless of your business or industry, it's most likely that your digital transformation initiatives require a stable, secure, and flexible platform that can scale and adapt to your projected growth. You also want a flexible business partner, one that can adapt to your established methodologies and effectively complement your teams' unique strengths. Subscribe now to learn how you can leverage Microsoft Azure IoT and the Microsoft Partner Program to create growth-enabling digital transformation and long-term partnerships that drive success for your business. View: Start your IoT journey with industry-leading SaaS and PaaS offerings. Learn more about Microsoft Azure IoT.

It's no secret that modern consumers are unforgiving. But then again, never before have businesses been armed with so many options for creating exceptional experiences, and becoming more efficient organizations. Digital transformation has become the great equalizer between large and small to medium-sized retailers, and thanks to tools like Microsoft Dynamics 365, turning revenue-increasing initiatives into reality is easier than ever. Subscribe now to learn more about the digitalization of retail and how you can get started re-envisioning your business with Microsoft. View: Use digital transformation to deliver outstanding retail experiences. Learn more about Microsoft Strategic Retail Solutions.

Regardless of the nature of your organization, keeping your data secure and ensuring compliance are two of the most demanding priorities. After all, what good is creativity, efficiency, and talent if they can get easily stolen, copied, or shut down because of outdated technology? The good news is that even though these requirements are as crucial as they've ever been, never before have businesses been vested with so many alternatives to customize the way they do business. In fact, the cloud has allowed organizations to shift their manpower from security and compliance to increasing productivity and innovation. Subscribe now to learn about digital transformation success stories and how you can ensure your business remains secure and compliant with Microsoft. View: Drive security and compliance across the entirety of your business. Learn more about Microsoft 365.

Watch this 30-minute instructor-led training to see real-world scenarios of Microsoft Teams in action. Learn about the advantages of Teams including staying connected with teammates during remote work, collaborating on documents, and managing projects more easily. Due to increased demand, classes are filling quickly, so sign up soon. Microsoft will be adding more live sessions, but you are also invited to view training on-demand. Read More...

"Elevate Your Email" is a comprehensive eBook that explains why email is the preferred method of communication for society and business communications. The growth of cloud technology has enabled hybrid solutions that can be customized to the unique needs of nonprofit organizations. Email cloud solutions provide more security and compliance while automating functionality for users, which ultimately save money. View: Elevate Your Email

This infographic outlines a day in the life of a remote worker using Microsoft Teams to collaborate, create, and be more productive while working at home. See how this employee uses multiple features to stay connected with the team and work efficiently. View: A day in the life of the remote worker

Team synergy is critical to ensuring the success of a project. But this isn't just a matter of putting people together in a project and expecting results. An active effort must be made to ensure everybody is well aware of their role, scope, and how to collaborate so that all teams can create a methodology that pushes the project forward on time and within budget. In this video, you'll learn how Finning, the world's largest Caterpillar dealer, has created a culture of collaboration with their digital transformation partner to drive successful IoT initiatives, and how they made it all possible by using Azure IoT.

Some would argue that grocery shopping, price tags, and offers go hand in hand. However, traditional paper coupons and price tags are extremely inefficient. First and foremost, they're the opposite of environmentally friendly and most of them end up as unrecycled waste. Then there's the issue of production costs, which not only include the production of thousands of assets, but also the logistics of their storage and distribution. Lastly, there's the manual effort involved in changing, including, or updating hundreds of price tags across retail stores. Thankfully, digital transformation has allowed for creative and effective ways for grocery stores to leave paper behind forever. In this video, you'll learn how retail industry giant Kroger is leading the way to more efficient, impactful, and eco-friendly supermarket experiences.

Ensuring citizen safety is the utmost concern of any local government. With so many things that can go wrong at any given time, it pays to have the best technology available aiding these efforts to enable accurate situation analysis, quick response times, and effective monitoring of the response teams involved. Fortunately, digital transformation has empowered the rapid evolution of cities' response protocols and opened the door for new capabilities to be integrated into their existing efforts. In this video, you'll learn how the City of Houston has embraced digital, and the IoT to ensure disaster recovery and response, keeping schools safe, and guaranteeing transportation, trust, and mobility.

This post from Microsoft's leadership team details our commitment to customers during the COVID-19 crisis. It outlines how Microsoft's top priority is the health and safety of employees, customers, partners, and communities. It also explains how Teams is available for everyone and what Microsoft is doing to keep the application running smoothly. Read More...

In a recent survey of business executives, 45% report IoT has helped boost profits by 1% to 5%, and another 41% say the impact has boosted them by 5% to 15% annually. That's a huge increase to profit with a simple integration. Except integrating IoT isn't always simple. At Five Nines IT Solutions Inc., we have years of experience helping businesses just like yours to plan, implement, and optimize their connected devices. We can help you to do the same. Contact us to learn more. Read More...

The number of connected IoT devices in 2017 was 27 billion, and by 2030 it's expected to grow to 125 billion. This means that the functionality and use scenarios for the IoT will continuously expand and permeate across all areas of consumer products, therefore improving the lifestyles and health of users worldwide. But exactly how are IoT devices being used in the consumer product space to increase customer satisfaction and make businesses more efficient? Read this article to gain an accurate perspective into the reach that the IoT will have in the consumer product space and how businesses will leverage IoT devices to drive innovation across the industry. Read More...

Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) uses Microsoft Teams to promote equity of access to learning opportunities for students. This online school originated out of needs associated with distance and limited class offerings at small schools—but shortly after opening, they discovered that it was also beneficial for several other categories of students, such as elite athletes who frequently traveled or students experiencing health concerns and needed to work remotely. After only two years of operation, CEWA sees a continued demand for its service. Though the schools looking at online education due to the COVID-19 outbreak did not originally intend to offer virtual learning, it will likely lead to a discovery of benefits that may not have been previously considered. This blog provides an insight into what CEWA experienced during its transition, the advantages and peculiarities of virtual learning, and how Teams made communication and collaboration possible: "We believe that whe

This article illustrates the journey of London-based nonprofit Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) in adopting Microsoft® 365. The post highlights specific pain points ACE was experiencing using legacy systems, including slow data access. Through cloud adoption, ACE improved file storage, compliance, and access to cloud-based apps. Moreover, the nonprofit group saw a 25% decrease in operating costs. Contact us today to learn how you too can maximize the potential of the cloud with Microsoft cloud services. Read More...

Natasha Franck, founder of EON, is working to create a more sustainable future by embedding clothing with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tech to help recycle garments at their end of life and put a dent in the number of clothes that eventually end up in landfills. RFID is just one example of the boundless applications of IoT technology available to drive transformation. At Five Nines IT Solutions Inc., we have the industry experts who can help you connect your devices. Contact us to learn more.

Every day, new IoT devices are powering up around the world. Each one represents a source of insights into customer behavior and provides the data required to create and monitor impactful strategies. On the flip side, all of them also represent a possible entry point for malicious software and cybercriminals to steal sensitive business information and permanently damage an organization's reputation. To counter this threat, enterprise security has gotten increasingly elaborate and effective at creating multiple security systems depending on the property of each device and its relationship with the customer. In this infographic, you'll learn about the 7 properties that help modern IoT devices stay safe from cyber attacks and keep hackers at bay. View: The 7 properties of highly secure devices

It's time to go grocery shopping: you've built your list—a critical requirement and pro move—and written down everything you need. Before digital transformation, you simply got into your car and drove to the supermarket of choice. But what was that choice based upon? Distance, price, product selection? Most likely it was a combination of the three, but rarely was it the uniqueness of your experience with the store's brand. In other words, if two supermarkets offered the same price ranges, product selections, and were right next to each other, most people wouldn't mind shopping at one or the other. This was an obvious problem for grocery stores. But without digital, the dynamics of grocery shopping were pretty much set in stone. In this video, you'll see how Kroger—the United States' largest supermarket by revenue and the second-largest general retailer—embraced digital transformation, and learn about their vision for using the tools availab

For local governments, digital transformation isn't just a means of optimizing their daily operations or becoming more efficient—it's also about potentially saving and improving the lives of thousands (even millions) of citizens. In other words, it's about leveraging accurate, predictable data to be prepared for events such as an increase in population or a natural disaster. Thankfully, the increased availability of digital tools and a growing integration between devices and systems is bringing cities closer than ever to this reality. In this video, you'll learn about the City of Houston, Texas' vision for becoming an interconnected hub for technological advancement and innovation, thanks to the tools provided by always-on digital technology.

This infographic showcases the top 5 reasons why your nonprofit needs to move to an always-updated experience powered by the cloud. The benefits of adopting the cloud through Microsoft® cloud services are presented; these include secure data, streamlined scalability, and cost savings. Various approaches to cloud migration enable nonprofit groups to move at their own pace, making the process easier to manage. Contact us today for more information about Microsoft cloud services. View: 5 Reasons to Move to the Cloud

This blog outlines four best practices for working from home and using Teams to make your remote work productive. Tips include details on making the most of your virtual meetings, reminders on being inclusive, advice on using chats to collaborate, and information on customizing your workspace. Read More...

This video highlights how Teams helps people stay connected—even while social distancing. It briefly and visually covers a variety of Microsoft Teams features, showing you how to communicate and collaborate easily. Watch this short video to see how you can empower your team.

Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. The focus is typically on innovation, imagination, and alternative perspectives—all of which result in groundbreaking ideas and projects. Right now, Microsoft's focus is offering assistance to people and organizations in the midst of the COVID-19 situation. CEO Satya Nadella acknowledges the need for everyone who is able, to step up: "No one company is going to solve a challenge like this alone, and it's going to take the private and public sectors working together to turn the tide on COVID-19," he wrote in an email to employees. He added that the corporation views its responsibilities seriously, and that it will continue to use the tools and digital capabilities to address the widespread challenges. It's inspiring to see how so many organizations and individuals have determined ways in which they can help humankind. They are empowering others

As the world responds to the outbreaks of COVID-19 in various ways, many people and organizations are doing what they can to help others. Microsoft is working to ensure the safety of its employees, protect the health and well-being of its communities, and provide technology and resources to its customers—many of whom are now working remotely. Have a look at the compilation of resources that address the four areas in which Microsoft has prioritized its assistance: remote working, education, community support, and technical support. If you have extenuating needs right now, be sure to look for support that might be available. Read More...

Remote working, virtual learning, online living—the COVID-19 situation has required a shift from all of us. For many, this includes working from home. While a few space and routine necessities might seem obvious to some people, chances are we haven't thought of everything. Chances are we need reminders. Check out this infographic for nine factors to help you stay healthy while working remotely. Whether you've done it for years, or this is your first time occasionally working in pajamas, we're convinced there is something on this list you haven't thought of. Have a look. Read More...

There's plenty of information—everywhere—on how to safeguard our physical health during this COVID-19 situation. But what about mental and emotional health; how do we make sure we're addressing those needs? Elizabeth Bille and Erin McClintock, in their blog for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), share solid strategies both for organizations and for ourselves. One important element in alleviating stress with your employees is maintaining flexibility in the workplace. "One of the biggest stressors for many employees is the well-being of those they may care for. Those with children are likely concerned about how to handle school or daycare closures; employees who care for older adults may have increased responsibilities given the CDC's advice that those populations stay home," writes Bille and McClintock. Help employees navigate these concerns by providing flexible work arrangements, such as virtual check-ins, telecommuting, flex-scheduling and other

We're living in extraordinary times—there's no denying that for most people around the world, life is different since the introduction of the coronavirus. These are increasingly stressful times, yet humans have persevered throughout history. It's what we do, how we're designed. Besides our press-on spirit, never before have we been so well-equipped with tools to help us through this challenge. Clinical psychologist Desiree Dickerson shares her professional insight on best ways we can take care of ourselves in her article, "Seven Tips to Manage Your Mental Health and Well-being During the COVID-19 Outbreak." One of Dickerson's tips is to manage expectations. Routines are changing, and while some people might have more time to increase productivity, many others will experience new challenges: "Difficulty concentrating, low motivation and a state of distraction are to be expected," states Dickerson. She cautions to "not underestimate the cog

How are you leveraging the latest technology to meet your needs? Microsoft is using IoT to provide efficiency and convenience. With IoT, Microsoft monitors datacenters, controls smart building systems, and interacts with HoloLens devices. While you may have other needs, you can use that same technology to fulfill them. At Five Nines IT Solutions Inc., we know how to help your business connect devices and create the IoT system that will drive the transformation you need. Contact us today to learn more. View: Creating security controls for IoT devices at Microsoft

Are you an expert when it comes to building cloud solutions? As it turns out, you don't have to be. With the right SaaS solution from Azure, you can manage your device and cloud solutions with predictable or fine-tuned pricing and still have the level of control that makes you comfortable. At Five Nines IT Solutions Inc., we can help you determine whether you're best fitted for SaaS or PaaS solutions. Contact us today to learn how we can help you drive transformation with Azure. View: Finding the right IoT solution for your business

As the world responds to the outbreaks of COVID-19 in various ways, many people and organizations are doing what they can to help others. Microsoft is working to ensure the safety of its employees, protect the health and well-being of its communities, and provide technology and resources to its customers—many of whom are now working remotely. Have a look at the compilation of resources that address the four areas in which Microsoft has prioritized its assistance: remote working, education, community support, and technical support. If you have extenuating needs right now, be sure to look for support that might be available. Read More...

There's plenty of information—everywhere—on how to safeguard our physical health during this COVID-19 situation. But what about mental and emotional health; how do we make sure we're addressing those needs? Elizabeth Bille and Erin McClintock, in their blog for the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), share solid strategies both for organizations and for ourselves. One important element in alleviating stress with your employees is maintaining flexibility in the workplace. "One of the biggest stressors for many employees is the well-being of those they may care for. Those with children are likely concerned about how to handle school or daycare closures; employees who care for older adults may have increased responsibilities given the CDC's advice that those populations stay home," writes Bille and McClintock. Help employees navigate these concerns by providing flexible work arrangements, such as virtual check-ins, telecommuting, flex-scheduling and other

How are you using IoT? One of the biggest uses for IoT in an industrial setting is preventive maintenance. Devices like vibration and wear sensors measure the stresses on and performance of factory equipment to help catch malfunctions before they happen. Now you can use the same software to run your devices as Fortune 500 companies, and Five Nines IT Solutions Inc. can help. We're industry experts and have the knowledge you need to adopt and connect all of your IoT devices. Contact us today for more. Read More...