Category: Tech & Engineering 2928

Strengths

Tableau is a robust data discovery and exploration program that enables us to display any data, explore numerous perspectives, and seamlessly merge several datasets using a drag-and-drop interface. There is no need for complicated scripting. Publishing the report to the Tableau server simplifies distributing the investigation results. It does not need scripting. Therefore, any user with data access may immediately begin utilizing it. There is no sophisticated software configuration required. The desktop version used by most customers is fairly simple to install. One may examine data using various visual tools, such as colors, lines, charts, or graphs. Tableau enables the cost-free integration of diverse relational, semi-structured, and unstructured data sources in real time (Datameer, 2022). It supports all types of data collecting and management devices. The tableau server offers a single area for managing all published data sources inside the company (Datameer, 2022). It supports several data types and organizes all data into four categories: String, Number, Boolean, and Date time.

Spotfire is an enterprise analytics tool used to extract useful business data. It is an intelligent, adaptable tool for data visualization and predictive analysis of corporate data. Additionally, Spotfire includes an excellent dashboard and an interactive analytical application. Spotfires data visualization capabilities are among the finest business intelligence solutions (Trust Radius, 2022). Spotfires data discovery function delivers intelligent visual data-finding advantages. Spotfire enables the cleansing and unification of complicated and disorganized data and the conversion of that data into a readily accessible format (Trust Radius, 2022).

Weaknesses

Spotfire does not provide any unique visualization types. Additionally, it is challenging to personalize visualizations and charges too much in comparison to Tableau (Peterson, 2021). Some users express their dissatisfaction with the analytical capabilities of the tool, and comment that the software lacks user friendly design (Unknown, 2017).

In contrast, Tableau is not geared toward creating the complex computations. As layers are added to dashboards, users rapidly encounter difficulties, such as excruciatingly sluggish response times and corrupted workbooks, despite the relative ease with which they may construct dashboards core capabilities (Datameer, 2022). Due to Tableaus lack of a scripting layer, there is no simple method to save variables in order to save an aggregate number (Datameer, 2022). Tableau does include level-of-detail (LOD) capabilities to assist with resolving this problem, but they are not intuitive and need assistance from a Tableau expert user (Datameer, 2022).

Opportunities

The advantage of Tableau software is that it does not need technical or programming expertise to utilize. People from many sectors, including industry, academics, students, and enthusiasts, have shown interest in the instrument. Numerous possibilities to safeguard data without the need for programming. Built-in security features include low-level security and authorization. In contrast, NLQ-powered search, AI-driven suggestions, and direct manipulation are three new ways that Spotfire supports the analytical preferences of its customers, according to the vendor, allowing users to develop insights fast and effortlessly (Trust Radius, 2022).

Threats

Due to the nature of contemporary IT systems, the technology is susceptible to cyberattacks in both instances. Spotfire discovered in 2022 a difficult-to-exploit vulnerability that enables a low-privileged attacker with network access to conduct blind Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) on the vulnerable system. It impacted versions 12.0.0 of TIBCO Spotfire Analytics Platform for AWS Marketplace and TIBCO Spotfire Server (TIBCO, 2022). Successful exploitation of this vulnerability might allow security breaches to update, insert, or remove Spotfire Server data and create a partial suspension of service (TIBCO, 2022). This vulnerability might enable an attacker to get access to non-vulnerable system resources (TIBCO, 2022). Blending software of Tableau presents serious issues and constraints. At the same time, the data engine of Tableau is not designed to connect to raw data if the customer has millions of rows or terabytes of information (Datameer, 2022). Using Tableau Desktops custom SQL capabilities, these datasets may be reduced in size prior to transmitting and blending in Tableau (Datameer, 2022). However, this necessitates not just extensive data transportation but also data replication.

References

Peterson, A. (2021) [Review of the product, TIBCO Spotfire]. TrustRadius.

Overview: Level of detail expressions. Tableau. (n.d.).

Pros and cons of Tibco Spotfire 2022. Trust Radius. (2022).

Strengths and weaknesses of Tableau Desktop. Datameer. (2022).

Tibco Security Advisory: September 20, 2022. TIBCO Software. (2022).

One of the modern generations core challenges is seeking protection against bullying. The study comparing victimization and perpetration as a consequence of cyberstalking renders a profound insight concerning the influence of technological advancement on social relations. As experimental-based research, the outcomes pose dynamic gaps and opportunities for the intense investigative initiative. One of the vital concepts to incorporate involve identifying the independent, dependent, and mediating variables. The establishment of an interdependent relationship among the three quotients plays a crucial role in comprehending the necessary derivative details.

Objectivity in research mainly encapsulates distinguishing the vital effects of the entities on a topical issue. Transcendentally, cyberstalking is an independent factor that prominently steers victimization and perpetration among individuals as dependents. During data analysis, the foundational insight enshrines comparing the frequency rate of the two reliant components; victimization and perpetration. The results indicate higher victimization than perpetration implications in relation to cyberstalking. Although the findings show a contrast, the study forms a gap in identifying the core mediating initiatives. Despite realizing the prevalence aspect, it is critical to ensure an understanding of the situational occurrence. An excellent example is the establishment of limited cybersecurity knowledge against the intensified accessibility essence of online platforms. A different mediating that is recommended as a measure of the interdependent relationship includes social media channels.

Cyberstalking is a multidimensional phenomenon that engulfs the manipulation of systems to track individuals online activity and patterns. The research fosters a major shortcoming due to the lack of indicating the core foundational elements of cyberstalking. Ideally, it is crucial to incorporate parameters on the interactional variation with computers based on human behavioral indicators. As a result, the data collection exercise attained a 20% completion attributed to indistinctive clarity. In the cyberstalking spectrum, the critical traits influencing independence encompass social media networks and policy frameworks (Dou et al., 2020). Incorporating the features during the questionnaire construction enhances clarity among respondents, leading to a higher participatory frequency.

Victimization is a different constituent of the interdependent relationship compelling consequential effect among internet users. The experiment highlights the situational essence of the two components; perpetration and victimization within cyberstalking practice. The study strikes an imminent gap in the assumptive perspective regarding human behavior. It is essential to identify the parameters of victimization as a dependent component. The foundational insights on victimization focus on multiculturalism, institutional guidelines, and personnels moral and ethical pillars (Dou et al., 2020). Diversity is a driving initiative on the concerns of respecting individualistic social identity constraints, especially during engagements in online platforms.

Perpetration is a dependent element prominently influenced by cyberstalking activities on account of attaining satisfaction. Although the research focuses on the comparison between the independent and dependent quotients, it is crucial to incorporate the constituting features of perpetuation. Fundamentally, bullying negatively affects societys growth and development due to psychological and mental repercussions (Dou et al., 2020). Therefore, it is critical to incorporate attributes of the perpetrators encompassing cognitive and physiological disorders in addition to the technological resources enhancing the malpractice.

Succinctly, cyberstalking is an imminent threat to the sustainable use of social media networks and dynamic online tools. The main reason involves the recorded high perpetration and victimization effects. The investigation focuses on determining the prominent dependent element influenced by cyberstalking. While the research fosters insight into the distinction between the bullies and the casualties, it is recommended that a remodification of in-depth exploration of the constituents mediating the interdependent relationship.

Reference

Dou, G., Xiang, Y., Sun, X., & Chen, L. (2020). Link between cyberbullying victimization and perpetration among undergraduates: Mediating effects of trait anger and moral disengagement. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 13, 1269.

Executive Summary

The future of a company greatly relies on data security, being one of the fast-rising issues; it can potentially make a company grow or leads to its downfall. Every company is mandated to become aggressive and develop strong and reliable data security since big data can be both an opportunity and a threat to the firm. Both small and big businesses are susceptible to cyber-attacks and just a single data breach can lead to a lot of losses. Mangers have the responsibility to take corrective measures to avoid a crisis before stakeholders get the information and change the investment strategy. Proper and promising data security helps in enhancing the companys profits. It also allows firms to make proper use of their resources for profit gains.

Introduction

The most controversial subject in any company is the issue of data analysis. Data analysis creates a lot of attention and fear among managers and administrators concerned. Several companies assume that the data they store and deploy cannot be hacked, however to hackers any type of information seems valuable and can be utilized for malicious deals (Ghosh & Nath, 2016). Many companies have so far assumed that cloud computing is the best solution to data analysis problems, although they still face challenges associated with data storage and deployment (Sharma, 2017). Big companies are also affected by data security just as it is observed in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Adopting, big and reliable data analytics does not depend on the size of the company therefore both large and small businesses need to incorporate the idea.

Analytics Tools and Methods Used in Data Analytics

Currently, there are more than ten thousand tools used for data analytics and analysis. The requirements of big data analysis are among the methods that can be used to determine the meanings of the invisible relationships in big data. Among the requirements, is reducing the movement of data by mainly conversing the computing resources. The process of mining and analyzing a large amount of data is known as big data analytics and it involves the use of several tools and sites. Some of the most used tools include Apache Spark, Apache Hadoop, HBase, Grid Gain, Storm, HPCC, and Casandra (Imran et al., 2018). The tools are used based on the parameter identified for the big data analysis. Data analytics is growing at a faster rate than it was previously observed. It is currently being advanced to contain both traditional and semi-structures data.

Data analytics is a very standard approach to discovering previously obtained data which is generated using several applications for pattern searching that cannot be investigated, processed and managed by other present tools or methods. It is a strategy used to obtain crucial correlated information from the huge dataset (Imran et al., 2018) big data analyzing tools has five major approaches used to analyze data and create reports or analysis data. The Discovery tool is very important in the information lifecycle for frequently exploring and analyzing information of any combination of the unstructured, structured, and semi-structured source. These tools enhance analysis in conjunction with traditional systems (Chawda & Thakur, 2016). Users can always come up with new reports and make meaningful reports and decisions using Business Intelligence (BI) tools. The BI tools are very crucial in analyzing, reporting and management of performance mainly with information systems and data warehouses.

High-availability distributed objected-oriented platform (Hadoop) tool, is the most popular open-source tool for reliable computing. This tool is very significant in data pre-processing. It helps in the identification of macro-trends and discovering chunks of information for instance, out of range values. All companies mainly use Hadoop as the precursor for advancing modes of analysis (Chawda & Thakur, 2016). One of the major problems faced by big data and data analytics is the possibility for them to be accessed from external sources by the use of certain methods, for example, Hadoop. Another method is in-database analytics which are analytical methods that enhance data processing applied directly within the database. It consists of several techniques such as detection of fraud, credit scoring, trends, or discovering patterns and relationships in the data.

Decision management is another important tool that contains predictive modeling, personal learning, and business rules to take proper action depending on the current context. This method allows diverse recommendations across several channels thus maximizing the significance of all clients to communicate. All the methods play a significant role in discovering the hidden relationship. Several businesses, provide analyzing tools and framework which are present for exploring big data and can be used to perform analytics (Chawda & Thakur, 2016). The advantages of big data analytics include cost reduction, sound decision-making by corporates, and observable improvements in the operation of firms. On the other hand, big data is really overwhelming because of its speed, volume, and diversity which must be properly managed.

Spotlight: A Large Enterprise

Target used big and predictive data analytics to identify pregnant women before the women disclosed the information to their relatives and close friends. In 2002, the company hired Andrew Pole, a statistician who tasked the marketing department to find out if there was a method to apply predictive analytics and statistics to discover a pregnant customer. The research began by going through the present baby shower registry and recognizing the women who have informed target about their pregnancy through registering (Sheldon, 2016) the purchasing behavior of the clients was observed thus helped the statisticians to identify important patterns. The data and predictive analytics created an opportunity for revenue growth since Target was able to reach women with ads and coupons for the products they yearned to buy. This helped them convert a client into their loyal guests.

Target experienced a serious data security threat towards the end of 2013 and this seriously affected the companys reputation besides its profitability. The company thus decided to take precautions that were significant to avoid outsiders from hacking their systems. They installed tools for detecting the new malware and the tools were developed by FireEye (Sheldon, 2016). FireEye is a computer security company used mainly by several government agencies including the Central Intelligence Agency. Target was still unsuccessful in its attempts even after the installation of the new and reliable data security system. Hackers still managed to compromise several credit card and debit accounts. The clients remained vulnerable since their card data was intercepted. More than 40 million clients card information was seized and the massive breach affected more than 70 million clients.

Annually, almost 70% of companies are faced with the issue of data security where hackers access their systems. Information management needs to come up with policies to stop hackers from breaching their security. Target lost several stakeholders, clients, and donors, because of data insecurity experienced in 2013. The company would have had a ticket to solve the malware issue that was untrustworthily uploaded by the hackers, but many thought that the new security tool would provide a solution. The security team thus removed the application to discover the foreign programs and the warnings were not identified in time thus allowing hacking to take place (Hess & Cottrell, 2016). It placed a broad effort to minimize hackers through the installation of anti-virus software and malware detection systems, although their overall detection and defense system was not helpful.

Spotlight: Smaller Company

Cybercrimes always affect enterprises and the practices always affect profitability in several firms. Small companies are always ill-prepared to end the emerging data security threats. The administrators with good leadership skills can help prioritize the activities needed to end data insecurity and ease information security fears. Within small businesses, the managers, play a very crucial role in protecting the companys information through the activities they can initiate and their influence on the employees (Barlette et al., 2017). Currently, the information systems of small enterprises in the USA are susceptible to data insecurity and system hacking.

Cybercriminals can easily find information on small businesses by discovering the existing weak points. Small enterprises can effectively fight and defend themselves against data insecurity just as large firms such as Walmart that are recognized globally. Just as, Target, Yale University faced a serious security breach. It took some time to notify everyone from students to investors that they had been affected by the data breach. Furthermore, they state that the information was taken without their knowledge. The Hackers also retrieved their dates of births, physical addresses, and email addresses. This contained private information for instance names and other personal details that could be used to harm them (Osborne, 2018). Many of the affected individuals had to scramble to find techniques of protecting the already leaked information. The university cleared the data that was interfered with by the hackers. Since the occurrence of the incident, Yale has advanced in its electronic security.

To avoid data breaches, small businesses should conduct regular audits for their information security. Furthermore, they should initiate cheap and practical strategies for security issues. For instance, deployment of an internal computer response team or installation of an intrusion detection system (Barlette et al., 2017). All companies regardless of their sizes should be able to protect the clients personal information and the managers of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have to comprehend and value the different concepts concerning online business and internet-based services.

Applicability of Management Theories

Although a lot of progress has been made for many years in the development of management theories, numerous confusing theories have been established. There are classical management theories that are still of great importance currently (Tuczek et al., 2018). Management theories are crucial basic theories that help several companies to develop and thrive even in times of doubt. Good leadership is earned and every leader should always be willing to learn new skills. Every leader must not end the training process but must practice all the acquired skills and knowledge. There is no shortcut to discovering new management and leadership skills. Leadership is the skill to take charge of any activity and guide other people to succeed besides achieving the targets. Firms have to find options to discover opportunities that can help them withstand the problems they face by increasing their data and ensuring proper security of their information.

Theories of change define the effectiveness with which companies can adjust their strategies and structures. Transformation is crucial for companies in growing, highly competitive businesses (Hussain et al., 2018). Management theories are very crucial although the traditional aspects need modification to ensure they are adaptable. Based on data analytics and information security, administrators must find ways to protect their companies against cybercrime. Good leadership and management always ensure that there are proper strategies that ensure the companys information is not leaked out by frauds.

Organizations should develop systems with security modes that can withstand a possible breach in data security. Firms that dont come up with a technology-dependent operation, experience serious threats that affect big data (Hussain et al., 2018). Both big and small companies should practice good leadership and management practices to ensure that the companys data is secure and the business can thrive. Proper leadership and management skills will help one come up with great ideas that will encourage them to build strong data security to prevent hackers from accessing the companys private information.

Conclusion

Since data security has the potential to make or destroy a company, organizations should have an enhanced security system that is purposely to protect the documentations of the company in case of a breach in data, size of the data notwithstanding. Business firms are expected to emphasize putting in place a technology-oriented operation to counter the effects and threats that are likely to result from the Big Data revolution. On the other hand, emphasis is made on the role of leadership as taking the mantle and guiding and making the whole organization actively engage in activities that can protect the organization. In case of breach should be communicated to consumers, customers, investors, and shareholders without any delay

References

Barlette, Y., Gundolf, K., & Jaouen, A. (2017). CEOs information security behavior in SMEs: Does ownership matter? Systems information management, 22(3), 7-45.

Chawda, R. K., & Thakur, G. (2016). Big data and advanced analytics tools. In 2016 symposium on colossal data analysis and networking (CDAN) (pp. 1-8). IEEE.

Ghosh, K., & Nath, A. (2016). Big Data: Security Issues and Challenges. International Journal of Research Studies in Computer Science and Engineering, 1-9.

Hussain, S. T., Lei, S., Akram, T., Haider, M. J., Hussain, S. H., & Ali, M. (2018). Kurt Lewins change model: A critical review of the role of leadership and employee involvement in organizational change. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge, 3(3), 123-127.

Imran, M., Ahamad, M. V., Haque, M., & Shoaib, M. (2018). Big Data Analytics Tools and Platform in Big Data Landscape. In Handbook of Research on Pattern Engineering System Development for Big Data Analytics (pp. 80-89). IGI Global.

Osborne, C. (2018). Yale University discloses an old-school data breach. ZDNet.

Sharma, P. K., Kaushik, P. S., Agarwal, P., Jain, P., Agarwal, S., & Dixit, K. (2017). Issues and challenges of data security in a cloud computing environment. In 2017 IEEE 8th Annual Ubiquitous Computing, Electronics and Mobile Communication Conference (UEMCON) (pp. 560-566). IEEE.

Sheldon, L. (2016). Implementing Information Security Architecture and Governance: A Big Framework for Small Business.

Tuczek, F., Castka, P., & Wakolbinger, T. (2018). A review of management theories in the context of quality, environmental and social responsibility voluntary standards. Journal of cleaner production, 176, 399-416.

Building a model of consumer behavior is a multicriteria complex task that depends on many factors, ranging from the specifics of the business industry to global changes in the market. However, promising developments in artificial intelligence, composable data, the development of data fabric standards, and information technology, in general, make it possible to build the most optimistic forecasts (Provost and Fawcett, 2013). First of all, the data analytics market is booming, with companies spending 10% more on the industry in 2021 than they did in 2020  worth billions of dollars (Goepfert and Shirer, 2021). Accordingly, the number of experts in this field is also growing; for example, in the United States, it is expected to grow by more than a third over ten years, as well as the number of organizations that have taken the vector to the effective use of information (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Given the rapid pace of technology development, it can be assumed that behavioral prediction tools will appear in the relatively near future.

First, artificial intelligence and neural networks can go beyond the automation of human processes and complex calculations. Segmentation will be used as input to differentiate results better, while intelligent systems will look for correlations between the time of purchase, the season of the year, ticket size, product category, and a host of other sometimes obscure aspects (Perez-Vega et al., 2021 ). Secondly, at the intersection with big data, machine learning has learned to work with disparate and diverse information, providing the ability to compose it into modules with subsequent deployment in any conditions (Li, Pan, and Huang, 2019). It is not known what information will become the determinant of consumer behavior, and therefore such a layout will always be able to refer to any aspects related to the transaction, product, or client. Finally, the data fabric technology simplifies the management of complex data structures by standardizing their structure for easier handling (Moon, Kang, and Park, 2021). It is not worth expecting high efficiency in the coming years, but steps in this direction can be taken soon, and consumer behavior will become more predictable.

Reference List

Goepfert, J. and Shirer, M. (2021) Global spending on Big Data and analytics solutions will reach $215.7 billion in 2021, according to a new IDC spending guide, IDC. Web.

Li, J., Pan, S., and Huang, L. (2019) A machine learning based method for customer behavior prediction, Tehni
ki Vjesnik, 26(6), pp. 1670-1676. Web.

Moon, S. J., Kang, S. B., and Park, B. J. (2021) A study on a distributed data fabric-based platform in a multi-cloud environment, International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology, 9(3), pp. 321-326.

Perez-Vega, R., et al. (2021) Reshaping the contexts of online customer engagement behavior via artificial intelligence: A conceptual framework, Journal of Business Research, 129, pp. 902-910.

Provost, F. and Fawcett, T. (2013) Data sciences for business: what you need to know about data mining and data-analytics thinking. Sebastopol, CA: OReilly Media.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022) Fastest growing occupations. Web.

The present time has brought many new and valuable innovations not only in the field of data exchange but also in auditing, which significantly facilitates the process of record-keeping and the creation of adequately compiled databases. In addition, computerization has ushered in a new era in service and image processing and sending systems (Aji & Dewayana, 2022). In many ways, this has essentially changed the entire electronic data exchange system, as keeping records by this method dramatically simplifies the auditors whole work process.

The main feature of this method of information transfer was the use of images in order to save time. There is no need for manual processing of data on the screen of the monitor. Rewriting figures and drawing up accounts on their basis just wastes time, which is a precious resource in the auditors work. In addition, it is worth considering the fact that sending images also helps to create an evidence base on the basis of the lack of necessity to recalculate data manually, which is also a definite plus (Aji & Dewayana, 2022). Saving time by using sending images is one of the primary uses of this innovation and expands the possibilities of auditing.

Another obvious advantage is that the use of images at the time of sending data may also affect the future of the project. This is because images are more valuable than simple calculations and serve to support the numbers (Messier et al., 2020). Thus, any calculation can be reinforced with a visual supplement, which will improve the method of interaction with the receiving party. This feature fully unlocks all the possibilities for more competent record-keeping and serves as an excellent auxiliary tool for many other things besides auditing.

Reference

Aji, R. M., & Dewayana, T. S. (2022). The Effect of Cloud-Based Supply Chain Integration and Information Security Initiatives on Supply Chain Robustness and Performance. Asia Pacific Management and Business Application, 010(03), 395412. Web.

Messier, W., Glover, S., & Prawitt, D. (2020). Auditing & Assurance Services: A Systematic Approach. McGraw Hill.

Introduction

Systems engineering has always fascinated me endlessly, as it is a complex and constantly developing field that permeates the majority of human activities and institutions in the modern world. This passion led me to pursue Instrumentation and Control Engineering at the National Institute of Technology-Tiruchirappalli (NIT-T). Having received my Bachelors degree, I went on to pursue an M. Eng. in Systems Engineering and certification in Reliability Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park. I have also been fortunate to gain extensive experience working on many projects during my years of study and specifically since I started working as a Process Control Systems Engineer at Micron Technology in 2020.

Discussion

The expertise gained during my years in this company has demonstrated to me the importance of project management skills in Systems Engineering. One needs to acquire various competencies, such as leadership, effective communication, and deep knowledge of the subject, to achieve success in this field (Keats, 2020). Therefore, some of the most valuable qualifications I have gained include leadership skills developed while working in research and development teams. As a Process Control Systems Engineer, I am in charge of developing and delivering training and training materials on control systems and related topics. In addition, I provide technical oversight, guidance, and support for process control implementation. Concerning specific examples, I have collaborated with my colleagues on Continuous Improvement Projects and helped to resolve questions and disputes regarding the operational approach. This experience was pivotal in my career, and I believe I have positively impacted the project outcomes and significantly improved my leadership competencies during this period of collaboration.

Conclusion

My future educational goals primarily concern the application of my theoretical knowledge in project management practice. Namely, I intend to enhance my project productivity and performance while also working on my soft skills, including leadership and communication competencies. To achieve these goals, I have chosen to pursue graduate work at Harrisburg University because I believe that its project management program will be a significant contribution to the development of my career. I am eager to use all the training opportunities provided by the university, and I am going to ensure that my academic performance meets the highest standards expected.

Reference

Keats, B. (2020). Statistical process control in automated manufacturing. CRC Press.

Summary

Technology is an essential aspect of improving learning. When students with learning disabilities are allowed to utilize their abilities by using technology, they often succeed and overcome more challenges. Assistive technology tools help the students with special needs to learn like others. Any helpful software that supports teaching and learning for kids with special education requirements is referred to as special education software (Raja & Nagasubramani, 2018). Teachers may provide various learning opportunities and strategies that engage students, promote learning, and enhance special education using technology. The following are the descriptions of five common software used in special education.

Proloquo2Go  For Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Proloquo2Go is an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) app that assists non-speaking children in communicating. It may be fully customized and tailored to a childs specific requirements. Various characteristics make the software beneficial for non-verbal persons with autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities, including symbol-based communication. Proloquo2Go may assist kids in developing their language abilities, from their first words to literacy. Also, it is a crucial tool for assisting non-speaking children in interacting with others and communicating. Users may modify the apps interface to suit their demands due to this feature. It has a pre-existing symbol library with more than 7,000 entries that may be utilized to build unique messages. It also enables students to communicate even if they are unable to talk. Additionally, it can support many languages. Its price is $249, and it has no free trial.

LiveScribe Smartpen  Assistive Pen for Aiding Note-Taking

The LiveScribe Smartpen is an assistive pen that facilitates taking notes and studying. A camera built inside the pen records video of the users handwriting and drawings. The user may then rewind the video to view and hear the notes or drawings they made. Additionally, the pen contains a built-in microphone that enables audio recording of notes. Furthermore, the Smart pen syncs with a computer or mobile device, enabling users to transmit their notes and recordings for review and modifications (Nordström et al., 2018). Moreover, Smart pen can capture videos because it has a built-in speaker and microphone. Due to its 4GB RAM, it can hold up to 200 hours of music. Evernote, Google Docs, and LiveScribe Desktop are compatible with the LiveScribe Smartpen. The cost is; Echo 2  $133.69, Symphony  $100.84, and Symphony bundles promo  $105.08. It has a 30-day free trial.

iComm  Pictures and Words to Aid Toddlers with Disabilities

A pre-speech toddler or a child with special needs may use the iPhone software iComm to learn about shapes, colors, and letters. The complete version of the program comprises 20 categories, each with vocal recordings that help with item identification. The software also captures the childs voice so that they may still communicate even if they are unable to talk. It is simple to use and aids in childrens developmental advancement. Being very visual, it aids in the learning of fundamental ideas and words by children with impairments. It does this by utilizing simple phrases and visuals to aid word understanding. It is also easy to use. For the iPhone app, it is Free, while the complete Version Upgrade costs $6.99.

YellowFolder  SPED Record Management

A cloud-based education record management system called YellowFolder stores, accesses, and manages data. States, districts, and schools can utilize this system to handle their Special Education data. The advantages of utilizing YellowFolder include sharing data with other users, viewing records from any internet-connected device, and automatically backing documents. In addition, YellowFolder complies with all national and state regulations about record storage. It offers personalized folders that make storing papers easier, keep tabs on each students progress, and create deadline alarms. It also provides an online portal for parents and guardians to check their childs data. The pricing for one student and 1 year of archived records is $2,990. It has a free demo for 12 hours.

Personal FM listening systems

This improves concentration levels, allowing the user to listen to speakers more effectively. The device has an earphone for the receiver and a wireless transmitter for the speaker. FM systems work using radio broadcast technology. The student and the teacher may keep a constant sound level regardless of distance or background noise with a transmitter microphone and a receiver. Any audio source may be broadcast via the auxiliary input. Additionally, it enhances group or personal listening. Lifetime Extra Limited Warranty is offered. The cost of it is at least $150 with no trial.

The use of technology in Special education

Technology has rapidly altered human lifestyles, just as it has altered the education sector. Our education systems, which are a few years behind, are being progressively and steadily replaced by it. The term equitable use of technology describes students having access to information technology regardless of their social or economic position, race, ethnicity, physical capabilities, age, or other characteristics (Tohara, 2021). Technology offers significant learning possibilities, but it also plays a fundamental role in helping students acquire the skills and information they need to function as digital citizens. Students who do not have enough access to information and technology miss out on learning opportunities and may have fewer options in the future.

According to educational standards, chances should be given to disabled students so they may reach their full potential. They should not face prejudice and should be allowed to engage in education and training on the same terms as students without impairments. Digital technologies are now widely used and freely available due to the IT industrys development, which makes it possible to use them to provide students with new options (Olakanmi et al., 2020). Assistive technology, particularly in the classroom, is reshaping what is possible for persons with a wide range of learning, cognitive, and physical skills and impairments. E-books and applications are only a few examples. Technology in special education is primarily used to help children learn in a manner that considers their unique learning preferences and limits. Helping them achieve improved academic achievement and more independence is equally important.

The benefit of technology in special technology

Technology has been shown to offer tremendous benefits in special education programs. Due to educational technology, special needs students may now study and engage with their peers and instructors in both a physical and virtual classroom setting (EdTech). Using assistive technology tools like speech recognition software, screen readers, artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and more EdTech software makes it simple for educators to provide students with personally tailored learning experiences.

Physical limitations, such as those affecting movement or motor function, make it difficult for students to engage in many more hands-on learning activities. By using interactive digital tools and virtual experiences, EdTech can close that gap by enabling students who need wheelchairs, walkers, canes, braces, and other assistance to fully engage in activities. One of the numerous advantages of technology in special education classrooms is the ability to provide a one-on-one encounter between a student and their instructor or between a student and their learning materials (Sulaimani, & Bagadood, 2022). EdTech applications let students work on assignments alone or with their teacher to maintain concentration.

Potential Limitations of Technology in Special Education

Even though much of the technology discussed here is user-friendly, it is not always simple to integrate these technologies into the classroom. The teachers tasked with implementing them and showing their usage to special education children may have a real challenge with the tools and apps. With internet-connected gadgets, there is also a chance that websites or other technological features unrelated to the students curriculum may distract their attention.

Choosing the Right Education Technology Tools for Your Classroom

Technology in special education classes has clear advantages. These EdTech solutions provide students with a tailored educational experience that caters to their particular requirements and allows them to study at their speed. However, educators must be aware of the kind of tool their students will need for EdTech to provide the best solutions to their issues. Likewise, students with visual impairments, for instance, will not benefit from virtual reality technologies since they provide primarily visual experiences. In contrast, screen readers and voice command technologies will not help deaf or hard-of-hearing learners. You can choose the best EdTech solutions by being aware of the unique requirements of each student and what they need the most assistance with. You may learn more about these apps and even create your EdTech app with customized features by speaking with an expert app developer.

References

Nordström, T., Nilsson, S., Gustafson, S., & Svensson, I. (2018). Assistive technology applications for students with reading difficulties: special education teachers experiences and perceptions. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 14(8), 798808. Web.

Olakanmi, O. A., Akcayir, G., Ishola, O. M., & Demmans Epp, C. (2020). Using technology in special education: current practices and trends. Educational Technology Research and Development, 68(4), 17111738. Web.

Raja, R., & Nagasubramani, P. C. (2018). Impact of modern technology in education. Journal of Applied and Advanced Research, 3(S1), 3335. Web.

Sulaimani, M. F., & Bagadood, N. H. (2022). Assistive technology for students with intellectual disability: Examining special education teachers perceptions in Saudi Arabia. Assistive Technology, 1-7. Web.

Tiernan, P. (2021). Exploring Digital Literacy: How Do Undergraduate Students Evaluate Digital Video for Inclusion in Assignment Work? Digital Education Review, 40, 110121. Web.

Digital transformation is probably the most recurring theme on the agenda of modern businesses. IT-enabled opportunities drive managers around the world to upgrade and adapt their companies and organizations accordingly. Lin and Lin (2014) raise an intriguing question of how accurate the perceived usefulness of technology adoption really is. After all, any organizational change has to have a proper foundation, without which the innovation may backfire and cause an opposite result.

The results of their research are not as straightforward as they may initially seem. On the one hand, they do admit that the assumption that digital transformation is always beneficial is not always correct. (Lin and Lin, 2014). On the other hand, supply chain relationship was shown to have this correlation, as the performance of logistical operations has noticeably improved. The explanation for this discrepancy is that purpose of logistics is speed and accuracy, which can be accomplished by the successful implementation of IT.

Yet, in other areas, the implementation of advanced digital technologies is not always positive. The most common concern is that digital transformation transpires too rapidly (Brunetti et al., 2020). When new technologies are implemented, they have to be used properly. Many businesses are not ready to adopt advanced innovations, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. Such development may seem appropriate, but unless the organization is ready, implementation can be seen as premature.

References

Brunetti, F., Matt, D. T., Bonfanti, A., De Longhi, A., Pedrini, G., & Orzes, G. (2020). Digital transformation challenges: strategies emerging from a multi-stakeholder approach. The TQM Journal, 32(4), 697-724. Web.

Lin, T. H., & Lin, I. C. (2014). Factors for information technology acceptance willingness and adoption in logistics industry from supply chain perspectives. International Journal of Electronic Business Management, 12(3), 167-177. Web.

Introduction

A virtual assistant is an artificial intelligence system designed to mimic human actions to perform certain tasks or help the user. An example of one of the first attempts to create such a technology is the assistant in Microsoft Office back in 2003 (Kim et al., 2020). However, the anthropomorphic nature of the assistant heightened user expectations, which provoked a wave of discontent, and the feature was soon removed from the companys products. However, the idea was relevant all the time, and ever since the 1990s, the development of an assistant capable of speech recognition has been underway.

The Basis for VA Digital Realm

The basis for the development of virtual assistant technology was the need to reduce human labor costs. It was mainly related to information retrieval and processing, which is still the main goal and function. Facilitating human work and life was to be achieved by implementing unique algorithms, machine learning, and interaction with databases.

Initially, the maximum connection of virtual assistants was observed with reference or consulting systems. Later on, the technology was implemented in the media space and business analytics (Rafailidis & Manolopoulos, 2019). An example of one such product is Conversica, which deals with lead engagement for marketing and sales organizations and is operated mainly through e-mail and texting.

The Involvement of the VA Technology in Everyday Life

Many people do not even notice how advanced this technology is today. Most help systems and messengers have an assistant for speech recognition or information retrieval (Tulshan & Dhage, 2019). In addition, one of the corresponding products can be found in contemporary life:

• Built into mobile operating systems  Blackberry Assistant, Apple Siri.
• Built into smartphones and tablets regardless of operating system  Bixby, Note8 Assistant, Galaxy.
• Messenger assistant  Facebook M, Aeromexico Aerobot.
• Built into a smart speaker or smart home control system  Alexa, Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod, Google Home.
• Built into home appliances, cars, some types of wearables, universal  Google Assistant, Tesla, and others.

Conclusion

Despite the prevalence of the technology, some see it as a purely entertainment feature (Kim et al., 2020). However, this is difficult to agree with because, with the development of technology, robotics, and networks, more and more opportunities to use virtual assistants are opening up.

• For all their convenience, digitally controlled machines require time to change setups. With a virtual assistants active implementation and fine-tuning, employees will only need to voice the necessary metrics and wait for the finished product.
• The implementation of smart home technology, which controls all the electrical systems from lighting and appliances to security devices, has already taken place (Rafailidis & Manolopoulos, 2019). Only further development and proliferation of virtual assistant technology in the home are expected in the future.
• Medical, military, and civilian applications are possible with the development of robotics and the evolution of virtual assistants into artificial intelligence.

References

Kim, K., de Melo, C. M., Norouzi, N., Bruder, G., & Welch, G. F. (2020). Reducing task load with an embodied intelligent virtual assistant for improved performance in collaborative decision making. 2020 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (VR), 529538. Web.

Rafailidis, D., & Manolopoulos, Y. (2019). Can Virtual Assistants produce recommendations? Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Web Intelligence, Mining and Semantics  WIMS2019, 1(4), 1-6. Web.

Tulshan, A. S., & Dhage, S. N. (2019). Survey on virtual assistant: Google assistant, Siri, Cortana, Alexa. In Communications in Computer and Information Science, 190201. Springer Singapore. Web.

Ensuring the security of information does not entail securing the servers and the network only. Physical security of the organization is paramount in ensuring the IT security. When I got to the company, it did not have proper physical security measures for its equipments.

Employees could access the server room at their pleasure. This compromised the security as some employees could alter the server content or even delete some information from the server. To start with, I requested for the introduction of a system where the server room was to be always locked and the access to the room regulated. Only the server administrator was to have the authority to access the server room.

As the company was using wireless technology, I realized that there was possibility of rogue wireless devices that were accessing the companys network leading to denial of services in the company. As a result, I proposed that we could monitor the enterprises network to see that we have eliminated these hackers.

To achieve this, I had to first weigh on some of the available means to ensure that the company incurs the minimum cost possible. The use of mobile clients and dedicated sensor nodes proved expensive to the company making me to look for other available alternatives.

I opted to use the knowledge I had acquired on the information security. I decided to use the available desk top machines as well as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and disk resources. I requested for the purchase of USB-based wireless adapters which I attached to the desktop machines and used the adapters to monitor the wireless network.

This helped in controlling rogue devices significantly and the company did not incur a great cost in installing it.

Together with my coworkers, we came up with the companys security policies and guidelines where one of the workers took the initiative to educate us on how to follow them. We learnt that most of the employees could log into the companys system and leave without signing out.

This made the system susceptible to access by unauthorized persons. We learnt the need of ensuring that we have logged out every time we access the companys system. The employees also posed security problems with some accessing other employees computers and altering their information. To curb this, I taught them how to ensure that no one access their shared files without their notice by assigning password to guest account.

Through this no one could be able to access the files of others even if they are shared without being given permission to do so by the owners. I also explained to them on the need of enabling the internet connection firewall to avoid their information being tampered with. Most of the staffs were not aware of presence of built-in firewall facility in their systems and those who knew, did not know that there is need to activate it.

I encouraged them on using 3rd-party firewall such as ZoneAlarm as this would monitor both inbound and outbound traffic. This helped in situations where virus or Trojan on their systems attempted to initiate unauthorized or malicious network activities out from their computers.

As most of the criminals have targeted the web servers of organizations, I realized that our company was not an exception and so something needed to be done earlier than later. Securing the web server required specialist expertise which at that moment I could not claim to be having.

I embarked on studying books that explained on how to ensure web server security and within no time I had stated working on the same for our companys server. I started with making sure that all unnecessary services were removed in the server.

The more services are running in an operating system, the more ports will be left making it possible for malicious users to abuse. To avoid this, it is necessary to close all processes that are not in use so that they are not run automatically after rebooting the server. I also incorporated tunneling, encryption protocols and security tokens in the system to facilitate secure remote access to the web server by the server administrator.

I also made sure that I had placed the website files and scripts on a separate drive from that of the operating system. This is because the information would help hackers who access the web root directory in exploiting other vulnerabilities hence gaining access to the data in the web sever.

I was always up to date with the best practice in todays security issues and using the best possible security measures. When I got to the company, phishing was a major security threat with the staffs. Many staffs had been lured to providing their personal information without knowing that they were giving it to frauders.

This had cost them dearly where some had been fired for disclosing the companys information to competitors. I advised them not to ever click on any link to a message that pop up on their screens as this would make them more vulnerable to frauders. Also there was need of informing the company manager if they happen to have disclosed any information for measures to be taken in advance.