Technology: Making Dreams A Virtual Reality
By William Marchesano, Technology Advisor & Evangelist
Here’s the story of a 17 year old man, Aiden Fay, from San Diego who has dreamed of flying ever since he was a young boy. After meeting the minimum age requirement to obtain a private pilot license, Aiden asked his parents’ permission to attend flight school. After some persuading, and knowing it was his lifelong dream to become a pilot, they agreed. As part of attending flight school, he had to take a routine aviation medical exam. Unfortunately, after his first lesson Aiden received a letter in the mail officially denying him due to a pre-existing medical condition.
Our story could have ended here but luckily this story has a happy ending. Proving that passion and necessity are an impetus for invention, Aiden decided to build his own Cessna Flight Simulator. Leveraging the Oculus VR Rift virtual reality headset, real airline rudder pedals purchased from eBay, and even going so far as design the circuit board himself, he was now able to fly anywhere he wanted in the world from the comfort of his bedroom. The integration between the Oculus VR Rift and cockpit instruments he designed are close to flawless. When he looks through the Oculus VR Rift, it matches almost perfectly with the control panel. As he turns his head to look around the cockpit and wherever he may be “flying” that day, everything is being presented through this device giving him a complete sense of immersion.
Though the Oculus VR Rift will not be released to the public until next Spring, Aiden’s flight simulator program can currently be found online. Better yet, the physical simulator he built is now garnering attention from Silicon Valley, including Oculus VR inventor and cofounder, Palmer Luckey. It goes to show how something that starts as a roadblock can be transformed into a catapult to bigger and better things. There are other stories out there about how the Oculus VR Rift is being used as a new approach to solve a myriad of challenges in industries such as Biotech/Life Science, Manufacturing, Architecture, etc.
I typically write about Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions and how it empowers businesses to become smarter and more agile. After hearing Aiden’s story I was inspired to switch gears this week because I felt it stood as a good reminder. Technology isn’t a product, a new electronic gadget, or piece of software. It is a vehicle or new way of accomplishing something that may not have been possible before. It helps us move forward whether to overcome a mundane challenge or, in this case, make a dream come true.
About the author:
Will has over 16 years of experience in business development, team management, and project management. Will has worked at Managed Solution for over four years and is currently advising businesses on best CRM practices and implementations. Will’s focus is on process improvement and analytics specializing in Customer Relationship Management (CRM). Will is a Microsoft Certified Professional, with certifications in Presales Technical Specialist – Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013, Sales Specialist- Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2013, Microsoft Dynamics CRM 2015 Application, Sales Specialist- Office 365, Sales Specialist- SMB Infrastructure and Sales Specialist- Datacenter.
Other articles by Will Marchesano:
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
Three #Tech Trends that Will Transform Real Estate
Technological innovation is radically changing how and where we choose to work, live and play, essentially forcing us to rethink the built environment—and our place in it.
From broad access to WiFi and the ubiquity of smartphones to ever-lighter laptops and more powerful tablet devices, technology has created an inextricably connected world. With the virtual barrier between work and home all but gone, the way we think about real estate is fundamentally changing, says Elie Finegold, senior vice president of global innovation and business intelligence at CBRE.
“This industrial-era concept that there is a separation between work and home is becoming increasingly less relevant,” says Finegold. “Because you can work from anywhere, space has become more fungible.”
Finegold, an innovator and entrepreneur with expertise in real estate and technology, says there are three emerging trends reshaping the way people will use real estate in the future.
1. Radical mobility
The ability of people and machines to work from anywhere is transforming the utilization of traditional spaces. “If you conduct a survey and ask people, ‘Have you worked in a living room, a bedroom, a plane, an office, an elevator, somebody else’s house—even a bathroom?’ everyone is going to answer yes to almost every one of them,” Finegold says.
“There’s a whole set of tasks that were once capable of only being done in an office that we can now do from anywhere, and though working face-to-face with others will likely never become obsolete, companies are going to be looking for much more adaptable real estate frameworks as a way of managing both flex in the workforce and the diversity of working habits,” he adds.
By 2020, 40 percent of workers in the U.S. will be self-employed as freelancers, contractors or temp employees, which will further affect the role—and primacy—of traditional office space, says Finegold.
2. Collaborative economy
As people increasingly choose to share and crowdsource goods, services, funding and transportation, the real estate market must adapt to new ways of distributing demands, Finegold says.
The sharing economy created affordable solutions for consumers during the Great Recession and has offered unique income streams for people who need extra cash or more flexible work situations. For instance, Airbnb and Uber have enabled people to turn their homes and vehicles into sources of income.
As people migrate to cities, they may prefer to rent apartments or cars rather than own them. Similarly, if more people are going into business for themselves as freelancers or contractors, the demand for coworking spaces could outweigh the need for traditional office space.
3. Transportation revolution
The rise of autonomous vehicles and transportation—self-driving cars, multi-modal trucking, distribution drones, etc.—coupled with collaborative models like Uber, will make it easier for people and goods to move around more freely. It may also ultimately change infrastructure needs, Finegold says, cutting down on the number of cars on the road or in parking lots at any given moment, while simultaneously creating a competitive market for space utilization.
“There will be huge opportunities for redevelopment of spaces previously used for personal vehicles, from streetside parking spots to multilevel parking decks,” Finegold says.
While some of these trends may be in the distant future, aspects of all three already exist, and they are quickly creating new modes for people to access real estate, Finegold says.
“If you take all of these things together, they are breaking down traditional work/life balances and changing the real estate landscape,” Finegold says. “Companies are attracted to places where there are live/work opportunities for employees.”
Source: blueprint.cbre.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Us & See How Today’s Technology is Shaping the Real Estate Industry of Tomorrow 800-293-6593
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Massive Growth Pushes Managed Solution onto SD Largest Biz List
The San Diego Business Journal named Managed Solution the 66th largest private company in San Diego in 2015
San Diego, CA – November 05, 2015 – Managed Solution announced today that the company has been recognized by the San Diego Business Journal as one of the Largest Private Companies in 2015. (link to list)
As a highly honored and tenured managed services company and pioneer in managed, utility-based cloud computing, Managed Solution is now the 66th largest private company in San Diego, according to the San Diego Business Journal. Managed Solution is also recognized this year in the World’s Top 100 Cloud Computing Companies in the Talkin' Cloud IT Channel list, on Penton Technology’s eighth-annual MSPmentor 501 Global Edition and as one of the Top Managed Service Providers in Pioneer 250.
“We are excited to be part of this esteemed list of local enterprises and appreciate the recognition of its hard work by the SDBJ,” said Sean Ferrel, chief executive officer, Managed Solution. As a part of the dynamic business community here in San Diego, we are a technology company that empowers business, investing in them like none other. We will continue to be committed to the success of our clients and we are excited to work with companies using today’s cutting edge technology to shape the business of tomorrow.
Along with caring for our customers, much of Managed Solution’s growth can be attributed to our dedication to our employees and the community. Managed solution prides itself on workplace culture and participates in dozens of events in the community per year. “At Managed Solution, it’s not jut about bringing the latest and greatest technologies to businesses and government in the South West US, it’s also about giving back, particularly in education so our children will be prepared for the technology environment of the business world as they enter into adulthood.” Said Ferrel.
San Diego Business Journal’s Largest Private Companies List honors privately-held companies that demonstrate the highest annual revenue figures from 2014.
About Managed Solution
Managed Solution is the premier provider of outsourced IT support and managed services for small to large size businesses. Founded in 2002, the company quickly grew into a market leader and is recognized as one of the fastest growing IT Companies in Southern California. Managed Solution continues to deliver award-winning services paired with leading business technologies to assist clients in running their business efficiently.
For more information on Managed Solution’s community outreach visit our community page.
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]
With the competitiveness of the real estate industry, agents need to utilize current technology to give them a strategic edge. Real estate agents are constantly on the go showing properties and meeting with clients, so they need a reliable device that offers unified communications and messaging to keep everyone up to date. Why Are Realtors Using Surface Devices? Surface Pro 3 is a lightweight, versatile device that helps facilitate productive face-to-face conversations to address customer needs and cement new relationships. This device helps realtors deepen customer loyalty by providing features and tools that serve their customers in a timely and personal way.
The Surface Pro has been said to be one of the most productive devices for realtors. It brings together the best of the tablet and laptop while providing portable, fast, full HD display. Some realtors who have already adopted to Surface Pro said they loved Surface, as they realized they no longer needed their heavy laptops and their lighter but limited iPads.
10 Reasons Realtors Are Using Surface Devices
-
Portability helps agents be productive anywhere by easily converting from a laptop to tablet when it’s time to head to a meeting or listing.
-
Long and powerful battery life is reassuring for agents because they could work remotely longer without having to plug-in.
-
Agents are able to pull up data instantly and effortlessly with Instant-on functionality. This makes it easier when researching property records and listings.
-
Agents can open multiple documents side by side to show clients different listings or compare market analysis.
-
Agents stay organized by using the pen to mark-up property listings and photos with drawings and notes. One click of your Pen opens OneNote3 so you can capture and sync your notes and doodles effortlessly.
-
The Surface Pen is highly responsive and lets you write, draw, and sketch on a pressure-sensitive display. Agents utilize this feature when discussing goals with clients and could provide an interactive experience.
-
Agents can be creative by utilizing the design apps to produce appealing property photos and listings.
-
Agents can show information to clients anywhere for better customer acquisition and retention.
-
Agents can Print or add storage with USB port and even collect signatures directly from the screen.
-
Agents can keep clients satisfied by using cutting edge technology and a personalized experience so they’ll keep using you again and again.
Managed Solution has years of experience deploying and implementing Microsoft technologies as a Microsoft Gold Partner. We work hand in hand with Microsoft to provide our clients with the most up-to-date technology solutions that drive innovation, productivity, and increased revenue.
Not only is Managed Solution proud to be a Microsoft Gold Partner, but also a digital adviser for real estate industries. For more information on real estate workflow solutions contact Managed Solution at 800-550-3795.
Contact Us & See How Today’s Technology is Shaping the Real Estate Industry of Tomorrow 800-293-6593
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management enrolls approximately 2,000 students, many of whom work full time. Connecting and engaging busy students can be challenging, so the business school took a page from Fortune 500 companies: it uses Yammer to foster collaboration, enhance learning, and forge tighter relationships among students, faculty, staff, and increasingly, alumni.
The Yammer Solution
In 2010, the school integrated Yammer into Graziadio’s Learning Environment and Network (GLEAN). Since then, Yammer has been virally adopted by most business school students, faculty, and staff.
“We knew students wanted broader engagement, but we did not anticipate how much they’d help each other with logistical questions, IT support, business contacts, professional advice, and moral support,” says Director of eLearning Susan Gautsch. “We also didn’t anticipate the social power of Yammer, which psychologically bridges online and face-to-face experiences. It creates a strong sense of community, regardless of students’ schedules or where they’re studying.”
Students from Graziadio’s Master of Science in Organizational Development program, who come from six countries and only meet five times over two years, stay engaged using Yammer: one class of 35 students has collectively posted 6,000 messages over an eight-month period.
One popular Yammer implementation is what the business school calls Peer Connection. “It’s student driven,” Gautsch explains. “They use it to get to know each other and set up affinity groups.” For instance, students join the Marketing group to network and swap ideas about industry news and course topics.
The school’s faculty also put Yammer to good use. Many have set up private Yammer groups to facilitate and deepen class discussions. Another popular program is Classrooms Across Borders, a way for faculty to share their expertise. Students can follow topics or professors, who post open questions or share articles to generate online discussion. “It’s a great way for faculty to have more of a presence, to get what they do out there to the wider student body,” Gautsch observes.
Yammer is also popular with staff. Academic advisors use it to communicate broadly, answering questions and sending out updates on everything from upcoming meetings to traffic snarls that may make it hard to get to campus. “Our deans are getting online more and more to engage with students and alumni, which they appreciate,” Gautsch observes. She adds that, “Alumni are a growing part of our network, since students who use Yammer want to keep using it to stay engaged with the university after they graduate.”
THE RESULTS
An end to communication silos. Yammer allows faculty, staff, and students to communicate across departments and campuses.
Deeper connections. Professors and staff use Yammer to expand on classroom discussions and tighten ties with students and each other.
New networking opportunities. Full- and part-time students make cross-program connections and network with alumni through topic-driven conversations.
An ever-growing data repository. Due to its search functionality and ease of contributing content, Yammer is a valuable living knowledge base.
ABOUT YAMMER
Yammer (https://about.yammer.com) is a best-in-class Enterprise Social Network (ESN) used by more than 500,000 organizations worldwide —including approximately 85 percent of the Fortune 500 —to connect and communicate. Yammer brings together employees, content, conversations, and business data in a single location. Founded in 2008, Yammer was acquired by Microsoft and is available with Office 365, to deliver a comprehensive, seamless social experience across the applications people already use.
Read customer success stories to learn how Managed Solution helps businesses implement technology productivity solutions.
How to add a Lead to Dynamics CRM
By Ben Ward, Applications Analyst, MCTS, MCP, MS
1. From the main Navigation bar, click here:
2. Click Sales
3. Click Leads
4. Click New
5. Enter a Topic for the lead (The Topic field is required by default and is predominantly used as a field to reference where the lead came from e.g. “Marketing Event – 1/1/2015” or “Referral from John Doe”)
6. Fill out the rest of the fields pertaining to the lead.
7. When completed, click Save at the top left of the screen
8. You’re new record should now be saved in your CRM
About the author:
Ben has worked at Managed Solution for over two years and is currently working on CRM customization and administration, Microsoft SharePoint integration and customization as well as Business Intelligence analytics including SQL reporting. Ben is a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Specialist and has six Dynamic CRM certifications.
Other Blog Posts by Ben Ward:
Business is better with Office 365
Moving to the cloud enables organizations to work more efficiently.
-
Office 365 has given M3 Marine 100% reliable productivity since moving to the cloud.
-
Tastea operates with 2x the productivity.
-
Breathe Hot Yoga has experienced 3x growth in less than three years.
-
Martin Aircraft relies on Office 365 for everything it needs to take on the global market.
Recent Case Studies
More information on Office 365.
What is a CRM? Part 1
By Ben Ward, Applications Analyst, MCTS, MCP, MS
Think of a CRM as a glorified database with a user interface attached to it. CRM stands for Customer Relationship Management and depending on a user’s role or department, it can perform a variety of everyday operations. Here are a few scenarios on how CRM’s can help businesses:
Sales - Sales Associate:
Sellers can store, organize and take leads and contacts through a virtual sales cycle more efficiently due to the ability to associate leads and contacts with notes, activities, accounts and opportunities. Sellers have the ability to create activities for leads, contacts and/or accounts from within a CRM to set reminders for phone calls or emails, etc.
Marketing – Marketers:
Marketers can use a CRM coupled with a marketing plug-in to log marketing efforts and results for individual leads and contacts. For example: A company is hosting an event and needs to send out email invitations to a specific group of people. Marketing can add the contact details of the recipients to a CRM and create a specific marketing list for the recipients. An email invitation template can be created and sent (with or without personalization) to each of the recipients on the marketing list. This allows the marketing department to streamline operations and cut down on labor time. Once mass emails are sent, CRM’s can track the results and analytics regarding the email send. This can be achieved using one application instead of multiple websites due to CRM integrations with major email service providers and plug-ins.
Operations – Analysts/Administrators/Coordinators:
Analysts can use the data retrieved from marketing efforts to analyze marketing efforts and suggest improvements. Suggestions could be as simple as changing one word in a subject line of a mass email to revamping the entire design of a marketing campaign.
CRM’s can be heavily customized to fit almost any specific business need. Administrators have the ability to customize CRM out-of-the-box features and expand the functionality exponentially using JavaScript or C#. There are many features available out-of-the-box, especially with CRM’s such as Microsoft Dynamics CRM that have business value, however there are a few that may not be pertinent to every business’s needs. These can be easily removed by administrators which will result in a streamlined CRM business process.
About the author:
Ben has worked at Managed Solution for over two years and is currently working on CRM customization and administration, Microsoft SharePoint integration and customization as well as Business Intelligence analytics including SQL reporting. Ben is a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Microsoft Certified Professional, Microsoft Specialist and has six Dynamic CRM certifications.
Other Blog Posts by Ben Ward:
