Category: Technology

Technological innovations have taken great leaps to usher society into a digital era as the years rolled by. Nowadays, most work requires the assistance of technology to get the job done, with the internet providing the information and tools needed. While most occupations require people to be in office spaces, some jobs have the flexibility that allows others to work as they travel with people getting the job done thanks to public or private WiFi or mobile data. With plenty of telecommunication companies developing internet connectivity, uCloudlink has been one of the leading companies in the industry that made great leaps with its latest innovation, HyperConn.

uCloudlink is an innovative mobile technology company that offers the world’s leading mobile data traffic sharing marketplace based on Cloud SIM technology. The company is renowned for pioneering the sharing economy business model for the telecommunications industry. uCloudlink offers products and services that deliver unique value propositions to mobile data users, handset, smart hardware companies, mobile virtual network operators or MVNOs, and mobile network operators or MNOs. 

Leveraging its innovative Cloud SIM technology and architecture, uCloudlink has significantly impacted redefining the mobile data connectivity experience by allowing users to gain access to mobile data traffic allowance shared by network operators on its marketplace, providing reliable connectivity, high speeds, and competitive pricing.

Earlier this year, on June 30, Chaohui Chen and Victor Xu, Director and CEO of uCloudlink and Chief Sales Officer and President of Marketing and Sales, launched HyperConn, ensuring an uninterrupted network connection at all times, regardless of the environment and conditions.

HyperConn is an advancement of its CloudSIM technology and provides a universal solution that utilizes over 10 of its 100 plus patented technology, including international patent no. S055, S2059, and S126 to provide the best network connection. Although speed is an essential factor in network experience, signal strength, interference, routing, networking, distance from a server location, and how the internet connection is used will create different experiences even with the same network. 

“We define user experience by best performance in providing a reliable, safe, and dynamic network,” said the team behind HyperConn. “But most importantly, the connection will not drop while you are using it.”

The groundbreaking technological advancement is the result of years of collective effort from the hundred-strong R&D team who describe HyperConn as “a car being able to freely make use of all the lanes available on a highway without needing to stop for tolls and other barricades.” The innovation provides a level of flexibility and freedom.

“We believe that our forward-thinking solution will help the world prepare for whatever may come our way in the future and move us one step closer to sharing without limitations,” said Chaohui Chen.

Alongside their HyperConn solution, uCloudlink also announced the release of Numen, the world’s first HyperConn-enabled 5G mobile WiFi device. The Numen can connect to all signals available, from fixed broadband WiFi to 4G and 5G mobile broadband. It also links, measures, and monitors the connection for performance. When a signal is weak or congested, the Numen automatically switches to another mobile WiFi to deliver the best connection at the moment.Learn more about uCloudlink and HyperConn by visiting their official website.

Over the years, the continuous breakthroughs in technology have allowed the masses to live more conveniently and comfortably. From the production of goods to the enhancement of services, technology’s influence and impact are seen throughout a multitude of sectors, including communication, transportation, healthcare, and education. Moreover,  science and technological advancements are frequently used by companies in the expansion and improvement of their operations and helping individuals find a way to navigate fast-paced industries. Among these companies is ITech.

ITech is a non-profit organization focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The company specializes in career placements for recent college graduates and mid-career professionals, guiding them on how to get into the highly competitive tech industry. Ever since ITech’s establishment in 2019, it has assisted over 250 hopeful individuals in getting job placements and mentorship programs in Silicon Valley.

Apart from bridging employers and job seekers, what makes ITech notable is the value they put in education and helping the youth secure a better future. In partnership with some of the largest technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, and TechSoup, ITech has managed to create an e-learning platform that is exclusively designed to teach children over 20 coding languages. Kids ages 8 to 17 can enjoy computer drives, coding, and software camps that the company is hosting. Through this, ITech can help individuals build their portfolios at an early age and aid them in finding a future job. 

At the core of ITech is its commitment to creating an avenue for tech enthusiasts, especially people of color, to secure a position in the industry where they can hone their talents and grow professionally. Founder Darrick Johnson shared, “We are here to help any and everyone looking to break into technology. Our goal is to help change the face of technology by providing a space for anyone, no matter their background, to succeed in the tech space.” 

What further solidifies ITech’s reputation is the leadership of Darrick “DJ” Johnson, who has eleven years of progressive expertise in business-to-business enterprise. When asked what motivated him to build the brand, Johnson shared how he experienced a thousand rejection emails from every technology company he applied to in Silicon Valley. The experience inspired him to work tirelessly and create something that can help people of color get a chance to have a career they can be proud of. Combining his in-depth knowledge about his profession and excellent communication skills, Johnson is committed to continuing to open up a multitude of opportunities for the community.

As a testament to the company’s excellence, ITech has been chosen by DotCom Magazine to join its annual Impact Company of The Year list for 2022. The event honors entrepreneurs and companies who have made exceptional efforts to create a positive impact on the economy. DotCom Magazine’s CEO, Andy Jacob, said, “ITech are visionaries for the next 100 years. Their commitment to the next generation of programmers, coders, and technologists is incredible.” 

In the next several years, Darrick “DJ” Johnson hopes to expand the organization to have more than ten STEM centers across the country. Furthermore, he envisions ITech establishing a solid partnership with major tech companies in Silicon Valley and achieving seven-figure job placements.

Steve Levine spent 20 years in the commercial alarm business before deciding, at midlife, he wanted to do something vastly different and something sustainable.

“I had built a successful residential and commercial alarm business, but I felt there was something missing. I was incredibly supportive of the green movement. I was approaching my 50s and felt it was time to make a substantial change in my life.” said Levine.

After seeking the right Green business opportunity, Levine, then 48 now 64, made a career pivot and started-up AtmosAir Solutions   in Fairfield, CT. an indoor air purification company that provides Green, bi-polar ionization (BPI) indoor air quality purification products that helps deter airborne viruses, germs, mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in offices, homes, hotels, cruise ships, sports arenas and stadiums, hospitals and senior living facilities.

Steve’s company grew slowly and then came Covid-19 and it boomed: It was determined that AtmosAir’s patented BPI technology helped reduce the spread of coronavirus.  

Microchem Laboratory, a leading lab for testing EPA- and FDA-approved products, tested AtmosAir’s virucidal efficacy on Human Coronavirus, Strain 229E. The test demonstrated greater than 99.9% efficacy in reducing the presence of the virus in a contained space.

That finding, coupled with the need to upgrade indoor air quality in our offices and homes helped increase AtmosAir sales up 800%.

Today, AtmosAir’s BPI technology is installed in over 7,500 installations in the US and globally.

AtmosAir Solutions customers include Wells Fargo, Comcast, Google McDonald’s, Hyatt and Sheraton Hotels, TD Garden in Boston, Los Angeles International Airport, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Virgin Voyage, municipalities, schools, and universities and pro sports teams like the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The company has also expanded into Shanghai, China, one of the world’s most polluted countries and London.

“It’s been very challenging yet very rewarding,” said Levine “You truly learn how to be an entrepreneur when you start up a business and make a career move at midlife. The company is doing great, and I feel pleased by our progress and the direction the company is going. Every day is a challenge, but I could never go back. It’s been too much fun and so satisfying.”

Steve Levine spent 20 years in the  commercial alarm business before deciding, at midlife, he wanted to do something vastly different and something sustainable. “I had built a successful residential and commercial alarm business, but I felt there was something missing. I was incredibly supportive of the green movement. I was approaching my 50’s and felt it was time to make a substantial change in my life.” said Levine. 

After seeking the right Green business opportunity, Levine, then 48 now 64, made a career pivot and started-up AtmosAir Solutions  in Fairfield, CT. an indoor air purification company that provides Green, bi-polar ionization (BPI) indoor air quality purification products that helps deter airborne viruses, germs, mold, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in offices, homes, hotels, cruise ships, sports arenas and stadiums, hospitals and senior living facilities. 

Steve’s company grew slowly and then came Covid-19 and it boomed: It was determined that AtmosAir’s patented BPI technology helped reduce the spread of coronavirus.  Microchem Laboratory, a leading lab for testing EPA- and FDA-approved products, tested AtmosAir’s virucidal efficacy on Human Coronavirus, Strain 229E. The test demonstrated greater than 99.9% efficacy in reducing the presence of the virus in a contained space. That finding, coupled with the need to upgrade indoor air quality in our offices and homes helped increase AtmosAir sales up 800%. 

Today, AtmosAir’s BPI technology is installed in over 7,500 installations in the US and globally. AtmosAir Solutions customers include Wells Fargo, Comcast, Google McDonald’s, Hyatt and Sheraton Hotels, TD Garden in Boston, Los Angeles International Airport, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Virgin Voyage, municipalities, schools, and universities and pro sports teams like the New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers,Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Braves, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The company has also expanded into Shanghai, China, one of the world’s most polluted countries and London. “It’s been very challenging yet very rewarding,” said Levine “You truly learn how to be an entrepreneur when you start up a business and make a career move at midlife. The company is doing great, and I feel pleased by our progress and the direction the company is going. Every day is a challenge, but I could never go back. It’s been too much fun and so satisfying.”

The narrative around the recent pandemic has often been dictated by the short-term needs of the majority. Most western governments introduced restrictions on the lives and livelihoods of their citizens, driving media outlets to sensationalize people’s immediate desires, such as a forbidden trip to the bar or abroad. But the long-term societal change at play is often neglected in the discussion. For communities already vulnerable to mental health struggles, recovering to normality could last longer than the initial crisis.

@giuseppeantinoro_ believes he has found a solution for the social complexities experienced by the student community. @hoodaapp, which Antinoro co-founded, launched to the App Store and Google Play in early 2022 and behaves with students in mind. Hooda has also strived to improve on the likes of Happn to focus not on relationships but on the formation of sustainable friend groups. Driving the app’s advancement is the aim to tackle the loneliness crisis and offer a solution to students whose mental health has been hindered by the pandemic.

Offering a straightforward but effective design, Hooda is currently available to students at Leeds Beckett University and the University of Leeds in the UK, who can register with a university email address (a key tool in the avoidance of fraud). From there, users can link their social media accounts to their profile similarly to Tinder. Hooda’s standout feature is that it allows students to seek out like-minded individuals in the vicinity in real time. This approach serves to speed up the connection process for those looking for social interaction as soon as possible.

What looks to bring Hooda to the attention of the masses is its dedication to solving one of the world’s relevant issues. Provoked by alarming loneliness statistics, co-founders Giuseppe and Ross are addressing the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the expansion of student social circles. By developing the blueprint created by existing social networks, Hooda could become the go-to platform for student communities across the globe.

Preventing data loss has become a primary concern for all businesses following the continuous rise of ransomware attacks. Unfortunately, malware and viruses are not the only threats to data since accidental modification, intentional deletion, or even a natural disaster can irreversibly damage an organization.

Luckily, modern technologies such as snapshots and backups provide data protection by allowing you to roll back to a previous version of your machine or data in case it was compromised. However, not all technologies are created equal. While both snapshots and backups allow you to recover virtual machines (VMs), they differ in nature and purpose; and they are not interchangeable.

This blog post defines each technology and details the differences between snapshots and backups while also explaining their varying use cases.

What Are Snapshots?

To put it in simple terms, a snapshot is basically the picture of a virtual machine (VM), database, or file system at a specific point in time. The current version of the VM, including all its data such as memory and disks, is preserved without being copied, and you can instantly revert back to it. The power state of the VM is also maintained, whether it was powered on, powered off, or even suspended when the snapshot was taken.

You can create and manage single snapshots or extensive snapshot chains from the VM itself. Keep in mind that new snapshots will overwrite older ones if you run low on storage space.

Different types of snapshots

There are two main types of snapshots:

• Copy-on-write (CoW): This system copies any block to a separate snapshot area before it is modified and overwritten with new information. Unchanged blocks are not included in the snapshot, which reduces the required storage space. VM performance can be impacted since every request to write new data is preceded by the need to copy out the block.
• Redirect-on-Write (RoW): Unlike CoW, the original data is not copied. Instead, once you create a snapshot, the system allocates new space for the new information and leaves the existing blocks in their original location. This type consumes less storage space but negatively impacts the performance of a VM since the new data exists on multiple snapshots.

VMware snapshot

In VMware environments, the virtual disk with the raw data is a .vmdk file set to read-only mode when VMware snapshots are created. The new data is then written on a .vmdk delta disk that retains the difference between the state of the VM when the snapshot was taken and its current state.

Two more files are also created when you take a VMware snapshot: a .vmsd file, which is the database for the snapshot itself and which contains all the metadata information in addition to the .vmsn file holding the active state of the VM. The last file is necessary since it allows you to revert back to the running state of the VM, and without it, reversion is turned off.

Once a snapshot is committed, all changes are merged in the .vmdk file that goes back to read-write mode.

For optimal performance, VMware recommends that you use up to three snapshots in a chain but, if need be, you can create a maximum of 32 snapshots. Make sure you do not keep a snapshot for more than 72 hours since it will keep increasing in size and consume your storage space.

Hyper-V checkpoints

For Windows Server 2012 R2 and beyond, Hyper-V snapshots were renamed as Hyper-V checkpoints. Creating a checkpoint will set the virtual disk as read-only, and the running VM is paused. The following files are also added:

• .avhd(x): this is a differencing disk added to the same folder as the parent virtual disk.
• .xml: configuration file copy.

You will also find two additional files if the VM is running:

• .bin: the state of the VM when the checkpoint was created.
• .vsv: memory information file.

When Should I Use Snapshots?

While snapshots are not a substitute for backups, they do provide short-term data protection. As previously mentioned, snapshots do not make a copy of your data, so rolling back to the previous state of your VM can be done almost instantly.

Organizations tend to rely on snapshots in development environments, but that does not mean that they are entirely useless in production environments. You can use snapshots as a failsafe rollback in the following cases:

• Performing and testing unsafe software updates on a VM
• Implementing configuration changes that leave a VM unbootable
• Developing and validating code changes

What Is a Backup?

Backups create copies of entire systems or individual files. The key difference between snapshots and backups is that the latter copies your data while the former is no more than an image of the VM. Another important distinction is that backups can be stored in a different location than the source and, in this case, they become completely independent. 

Read more about VMware backups here and discover the best practices that ensure data protection and recoverability. 

Different types of backups

There are three major backup types:

• Full backup: as the name suggests, full backups copy all the data you want to protect. In this case, the backup and recovery processes can be time-consuming.
• Differential backup: this procedure copies the files that have changed since the last full backup. This means they consume a lot of storage space due to the ever-growing number of files. And while they are much quicker, the recovery process is more complex since you will need to restore the full backup first and then every incremental backup.
• Incremental backup: using this technique, you only back up the changes since the last backup. Incremental backups are fast and do not require much space.

When Should I Use Backups?

Easy! Use backups whenever you need to store a copy of your data for an extended period of time. Backups are the ideal data protection technique since they provide a variety of recovery options. Moreover, you can eliminate a single point of failure with multiple backup targets.

The best way to do that is the 3-2-1 rule: have at least three (3) copies of your data, store two (2) backup copies on different storage media, with one (1) located offsite in a backup repository, a public cloud, or offline storage.

Backup From Storage Snapshot

Instead of focusing on the differences between snapshots and backups, it is important to learn how to leverage the capabilities of both technologies to maximize data protection. Storage snapshots can be used as part of the backup operation since they help you reduce the load on the production environment.

In other words, you can use a backup from storage snapshots to create agentless, incremental, and image-based backups of VMware vSphere VMs without impacting VM performance. This also improves your recovery point objectives (RPOs) since you will be adding more point-in-time copies of your machine.

Snapshot vs Backup

So it all goes down to this; which one is better? The short answer is: it depends on your goals since both procedures have pros and cons. The table below highlights the main differences between snapshots and backups.

Concluding Thoughts

The importance of VM snapshots cannot be understated, especially in development environments. However, if you are looking for a long-term and reliable data protection technique, you should definitely rely on backups. Modern solutions allow you to use VM snapshots as part of the backup process so you can offload your production environment and avoid performance issues.

In every way, technology is quickly transforming the globe. Be it sports, business, or leisure—they are all adapting to changes in technology. The introduction of artificial intelligence, smart technology, and virtual reality have all changed how things are being done today. It is not different in manufacturing, as it heavily relies on technology.

An expert in this field is required to understand the changes and how they can be used to our advantage. Dr. Dean Bartles is an advanced manufacturing expert who has been around to see all sorts of changes. He has been in the industry for decades, overseeing several progressions over his long career.

Who Is Dr. Dean Bartles

Dr. Dean Bartles is the president and CEO of MTDC. Manufacturing Technology Deployment Group is a non-profit holding company, and it works alongside both the National Centre for Defence Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM) and Advanced Manufacturing International, Inc. (AMI). The latter is a new subsidiary and sister company to NCDMM. He has been a board member at several organizations and CEO of quite a few. Dr. Bartles graduated with a Ph.D. from Indiana State University.

After graduation, he worked on defense technology, which led to his first role in the Fairchild Republic Company. He worked there as an industrial engineer for five years before working for General Dynamics. General Dynamics is a prominent aerospace and defense company that boosted his work. In this company, Dr. Bartles ensured several manufacturing operations were designed and developed. He ensured that this did happen not only in the United States but also in the whole world.

As far as manufacturing is concerned, the MTDG CEO has made an exciting discovery. He found that leading-edge machinery and technology can optimize the processes and systems manufacturing that companies usually utilize. This is because demand is constantly growing, and the manufacturing companies have to keep up. The production demand is over the roof, and advanced manufacturing has to find a way to bridge the gap.

There are many skills that Dr. Dean brings to the table, not just his brain. Alongside his Master’s in international business and the Ph.D. mentioned above, his experience is invaluable. With the incident, he has become very knowledgeable and creative on how the companies need to navigate challenges. When you head companies for as long as he has, you only learn to make profits. The market values of his companies have risen from an estimated 135 million dollars to 600 million dollars. A company with such magnitude can change the world.

His biggest asset is project management. It was evident in a crisis when he helped Shalimar Research & Technology to run a smooth operation by providing consultation. He offered advice to a confused Daniel Matuska, and Daniel, the company owner, later gave his gratitude and testament. The confusion came from rapid mergers and acquisitions, which Dr. Dean had dealt with before.

As a chief executive officer now, Dr. Dean sites trust as a key ingredient to his success and the success of his companies. The trust founded between his and other manufacturing companies has always come to play when sharing ideas on ways forward. Also, finding professionals to work with him has been easier. It probably happens because of his reputation that only speaks for itself or his agility and expertise to assemble a team.

Dr. Dean holds an extremely high opinion on modern technology like additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing. It is the reason why he supports it and pushes for more production of such technology. He believes it will shape the economy in the future, and that is why he is helping it grow. Products made will be of higher quality and larger quantity for a fairly reduced price or cost. Spearheading the development of additive manufacturing only shows that Dr. Dean cares about the future and wants to secure it.

Data collection is an emphasis made by Dr. Dean that should not be overlooked. He describes data as digital gold, just to show how treasured it should be. He believes that if data is collected and fed to the machine builders and manufacturers, it will change the industry. Boosting uptime while reducing costs is one of the biggest positives of data collection, and this alone is reason enough to implement this tactic around the world. Data provides deeper insights into how machines are performing, like monitoring production status and understanding the condition of a given machine. Also, it predicts the malfunctioning of machines and optimizes the decision-making process.

Another contribution of Dr. Dean to the industry that has grown on him and his abilities is problem identification. He has been in the industry long enough to identify a problem before it turns into a catastrophe. He sees a problem in the standard way: machines are built to communicate. It is closely linked to smart manufacturing, which he has played a significant role in to make it big. It is because smart manufacturing depends on statistics that are passed on from one computer to another through communication. If the communication between the machines is flawless, Dr. Dean suggests that production and manufacturing will also be of higher quality.

The most common problem among manufacturing companies right now, especially technology companies, is security. To be specific, cybersecurity involves the security or insecurity of linked computers. As expected in a high-level production company, there are many linked computers. Cyberattacks may therefore be a common theme that needs to be fixed. Dr. Dean has developed ways to prevent such attacks, which involve secure blockchain technology. It also entails high-level encryption, making it harder for outsiders to break through a system. This way, the data stays safe, secure, and remains valuable.

Technology keeps on changing, and keeping up can be a challenge. However, all industries, especially the manufacturing ones, have to keep up. Dr. Dean has not only been a backbone to the industry but a spearhead as well. He has shown he can handle whatever sort of change, and so can the whole industry.

 

The true measure of a man’s character is evident in the way he conducts his life, and likewise, in the way he runs his business. Jimmy Esparza, President of Renewable Power USA, has a history of working tirelessly and innovatively and a willingness to continuously learn, grow, and expand his business for the benefit of his clients, employees, and the environment. He is willing to go the distance to protect the excellent reputation he earned through honesty, fair practices, and reliable customer service. 

Esparza adopted his parents’ hard-work approach to managing personal and financial responsibilities. He benefited from their doggedness in ensuring he gained a good education and fluency in English and Spanish. Following their lead, Esparza developed a never-quit attitude. He has a fantastic track record for achieving the goals he is aiming for. 

Before Esparza’s introduction to the solar industry, he worked in entry-level customer service and sales positions and dreamed of having a good life and material wealth. He was grateful for opportunities, but he longed to do more professionally. Circumstances worked in his favor when a company layoff was perfectly timed so that he was available for employment when an opportunity in door-to-door solar sales presented itself. Even though he lacked door-to-door experience, he convinced the solar company to hire him on a 30-day trial basis. His determination and hard work paid off, and he became quite successful in solar sales.

In the hands of a good salesperson, a great product almost sells itself. Esparza’s love for meeting and getting to know people has served him well throughout his career. As is so often the case with successful people, a competitive company recruited him to join their organization. In that role, he learned even more about the solar business. Some of the things he learned were about good company practices, while others were about what not to do in business. The time came when it was evident that he was not in alignment with the organization’s mission and methods, and he resigned. Later the same day, he paid a visit to a solar installation company and struck a deal to partner with them in launching his own solar sales business, Renewable Power AZ.  

According to Esparza, a large part of a reputable solar company’s role is to educate people about solar energy and provide them with the information they need to make decisions about buying solar for their homes and businesses. Esparza places a high value on establishing a presence in the communities they serve. When they expand into new geographical areas, they establish brick-and-mortar offices to be available and visible for ongoing customer service. Customers can have confidence that Renewable Power USA will be alive and well through their warranty period and beyond.

Esparza’s overall vision is to serve Renewable Power USA customers the right way continually. Another thing that drives him is helping young professionals who are unhappy with their jobs find a position that offers opportunity and purpose. He loves offering them a chance to get into the solar business, an optimistic, forward-thinking industry that helps people prepare for the future with solar and preserves the environment. He wants the company to grow through fair, reputable business practices and offer excellent training for new hires as the company expands into more cities.

Esparza was 22 when he began his career in the solar industry. There were times when he lacked credibility and was meeting with experienced professionals many years his senior. He did not grow up in a family of affluent business professionals, nor was he exposed to business meeting protocols or executive decision-making. Although he is proud of his Latino roots, he admits his heritage and accent sometimes posed challenges as a young businessman. Esparza embraced every challenge and allowed them to make him better. “I have loved selling a product that is good for customers and the environment,” says Esparza. “It is gratifying to help people.”

Through Renewable Power USA, Esparza stepped up and gave back to people in need during the pandemic. They organized a GoFundMe to help people who lost their jobs and were struggling to survive. They distributed the funds through a local church. Early on in his career, Esparza learned about the importance of surrounding himself with good people. He is taking the lead in modeling high standards for the employees under his direction.

Renewable Power USA has expanded from Arizona into several states with more growth to come. “We are keeping up with improvements in the industry, offering top-of-the-line products that enable clients to store their own energy in the case of power outages,” says Esparza. “We are ready and able to educate people so that they can plan wisely for the future. Solar will become more prevalent as energy conservation and environmental concerns grow over time. We are here to stay.” To find out more about their products and services, contact Renewable Power USA.

Media Contact:

Glenda Hovenkamp, Writer

glenda@mindfulmediapr.com

www.mindfulmediapr.com