Related:  A Company at Risk: Are Your Business Leaders Holding Back Your Company’s Digital Transformation? 

Getting a Handle on Industry Trends

This new market research initiative will aid Trusted Advisors and their business customers in understanding industry trends around emerging new technologies in cloud, colocation, connectivity, SD-WAN, security, UCaaS and more. Avant will analyze real-world insights from thousands of annual IT business purchasing decisions and conduct primary research to deliver regular reports on the state of disruption in the industry in the form of studies, papers, blogs, podcasts and briefings.

Advice and Recommendations Offered

“Avant Analytics is a new dimension to Avant’s IT decision-making platform,” says Ian Kieninger, CEO, Avant. “In keeping with our mission to facilitate digital transformation, this initiative will be an indispensable resource to Trusted Advisors who need to make critical recommendations and decisions on behalf of their customers, who must stay current to effectively navigate today’s technology transitions or risk being left behind.”

Avant powers an extensive network of channel professionals, known as Trusted Advisors, who help today’s CIOs, CISOs and CTOs navigate the rapid pace of technological change. These experts use Avant’s industry-leading tools and partnerships to introduce their customers to the most applicable enterprise technology applications that will enable them to achieve their goals.

Partners will have an opportunity to team up with in-house analysts and propel their businesses using Avant’s marketing and communications expertise. Meanwhile, enterprise customers can look to these owned resources as a single source of truth on how to fully leverage technology to the benefit of their companies.

The post Avant Provides Critical Research to Enterprises for Digital Transformation Initiatives appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Specifically, researchers discovered a breach that exposes 85.4GB of security audit logs, which include personally identifying information (PII) of employees of the affected companies and go back as far as April 19, 2019. This date may indicate system setup, reconfiguration, or maintenance that impacted the server and made it open and available to the world.

Related: The 5 Biggest Data Breaches in 2019 So Far (And How They Could Have Been Prevented)

Affected parties according to vpnMentor include Tarrytown House Estate (New York), Carton House Luxury Hotel (Ireland), Aloft Hotels (Florida), Temple Bar Hotel (Ireland) and other brands in the Pyramid Hotel Group.

The type of data that was leaked includes:

• Server API key and password
• Device names
• IP addresses of incoming connections to the system and geolocation
• Firewall and open ports information
• Malware alerts
• Restricted applications
• Login attempts
• Brute force attack detection
• Local computer name and addresses, including alerts of which of them has no antivirus installed
• Virus and Malware detected on various machines
• Application errors
• Server names and OS details
• Information identifying cybersecurity Policies
• Employees’ full names and usernames

The Danger of Exposing this Information

This database gives any would-be attacker the ability to monitor the hotels’ network, gather valuable information about administrators and other users, and build an attack vector targeting the weakest links in the security chain. It also enables the attacker to see what the security team sees, learn from their attempts based on the alerts raised by the systems, and adjust their attacks accordingly.

In the worst-case scenario, this leak has the potential to put not only systems at risk, but the physical security hotel guests and other patrons as well. The vpnMentor team found multiple devices that control hotel locking mechanisms, electronic in-room safes, and other physical security management systems.

How the Leak Was Discovered

vpnMentor’s research team is currently undertaking a huge web mapping project. Using port scanning to examine known IP blocks reveals gaps in web systems, which are then examined for vulnerabilities, including potential data exposure and breaches.

The post Data Leak Exposes 85GB of Security Logs of Major Hotel Chains appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Since its inception in 1982, PEPPM has been the bid of choice having exceeded $1.8 billion in sales while providing over $500 million in savings.

PEPPM is a cooperative purchasing program for users to competitively bid on technology products available for schools, libraries, colleges and universities, local and state government agencies, municipal authorities and other non-profit organizations.

PEPPM has contract awards on more than 1 million items such as computers, copiers, furniture, peripherals, software, audio-visual, network equipment, communication products and more.

PEPPM advertises and conducts sealed competitive bids – satisfying legal bid requirements – so there is no need for local quotes or bids.

“Participation in the PEPPM cooperative purchasing program will help schools and districts all across the country to receive the very best possible pricing on the industry’s best line of pro audio, conferencing and collaboration solutions,” says ClearOne chair and CEO Zee Hakimoglu. “Learning institutions of every size and type are increasingly AV-centric in the way they deliver content and our involvement with this program is going to make it easier than ever for these institutions to leverage the unique performance benefits our products deliver.”

According to Hakimoglu, buyers appreciate PEPPM because it saves them time and money. PEPPM aggregates demand across thousands of buyers, resulting in better pricing than sole-bid efforts can provide, and there is no maximum spend limitation. PEPPM is available across the country. While the program began—and operated solely for many years—in Pennsylvania, buyers from other states can take advantage of the program.

The post  ClearOne and PEPPM Provide Competitive Bid Pricing for Educational Tech Products appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Finding Parts Fast; Ordering Simplified

New SyncFab users will be able to build from an extensive parts library where all previously ordered parts are available for fast and easy re-ordering.  With its solution, SyncFab utilizes blockchain smart contracts and data-driven smart manufacturing to optimize the external supply chain available to OEM buyers in the United States and beyond.

Related: IBM 5 in 5 Campaign Will Bring Blockchain and AI to Food Industry

Blockchain Improves Efficiency

“The goals of our partnership are to better understand the availability and capabilities of suppliers, integrate them with our blockchain solution, improve security and capacity utilization, and a more seamless experience with OEM purchasing departments who need to plan for contingencies in their supply chain,” says Jeremy Goodwin, founding CEO of SyncFab.

A Level Playing Field for Small Businesses

SyncFab’s system allows for the commercial procurement of manufactured parts backed by the security, speed and immutability of records blockchain offers. Orders are secure, instant, and streamlined.

Buyers reward manufacturers for quotes and manufacturers reward buyers for reorders. Small, local manufacturers are given a level playing field against large firms as no quotes get special treatment within the network. In addition, SyncFab’s platform digitally captures partner information to offer time-sensitive status updates and data related to the production process and supply chain planning.

“We are really excited about our new partnership with SyncFab.  Access to SyncFab’s advanced manufacturing blockchain platform is a great advantage for our members.  With an extensive parts library and fast, easy and secure re-ordering, blockchain technology can make a huge impact on supply chain management for NTMA members,” remarks Doug DeRose, interim president of NTMA.

The post SyncFab Partners with the National Tooling and Machining Association to Provide Blockchain Solutions for NTMA Members appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Features and Specifications

The SDVoE (Software Defined Video over Ethernet)-ready M4300-16X is a 16-port 10GBASE-T copper switch with an option for PoE+ across all ports in full provisioning mode. The M4300-16X is a half-width 1U switch that comes either with a non-PoE power supply or with a power supply capable of providing 480W of PoE power to the 16 ports.

The SDVoE-ready M4300-24FX is a 24-port 10GBASE-X SFP+ fiber switch with two shared 10GBASE-T copper ports. The M4300-24FX is a half-width 1U switch that dramatically lowers the cost of fiber-based project installations up to 24 nodes.

“NETGEAR’s focus on the professional AV marketplace is demonstrated by the addition of these two products designed from the ground up for SDVoE applications,” says Richard Jonker, senior vice president of product line management for the Small Business Group at NETGEAR. “The M4300 series is not only one of the most affordable solutions out there, but it also offers uncomplicated equipment with no need to program. It provides everything installers would need to support zero-frame latency, increased I/O flexibility and scalability, and true AV/IT convergence with standard IP switching with a very streamlined architecture.”

Pricing and Availability

Netgear M4300-16X and M4300-24FX will be available nationwide Q4. Pricing will range from $1,899 – $2,199.

The post Netgear Introduces Two New Switches Supporting Audio/Video Over Ethernet appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Building on over a decade of leadership in pioneering a new model for delivering on-premise IT as a Service, HPE will continue to scale HPE GreenLake to reach new market segments, new use cases, and leverage its world class partner ecosystem to accelerate growth. This includes new HPE GreenLake offerings for the mid-market, new services for the edge, and new and expanded partnerships with CyrusOne, Equinix, and Google Cloud. In addition, HPE continues to invest and innovate in the company’s suite of software delivered via a subscription model, including HPE Aruba Central, HPE BlueData, HPE Cloud Volumes, HPE InfoSight, and HPE OneView.

HPE GreenLake re-sets the digital opportunity for customers by providing a robust as a Service portfolio that provides flexibility and speed to market. HPE GreenLake gives customers a choice of subscription-based, pay-per-use, and managed IT as a Service offerings that provides customers with a consistent cloud experience for managing all their workloads. The HPE GreenLake portfolio spans a wide range of purpose built solutions, from HPE and HPE’s partners, giving customers choice in building the right digital foundation. In addition, HPE GreenLake’s powerful metering and governance capabilities allow businesses to monitor and adjust usage to ensure initiatives stay within budget and compliance.

According to an HPE commissioned Forrester report on the total economic impact of HPE GreenLake, customers benefit from a 30 percent Capex savings due to eliminated need for overprovisioning, and a 90 percent reduction in support and professional services costs, and 65 percent reduction in time to deploy IT projects.

“We are at an inflection point in the market,” says Antonio Neri, president and CEO, HPE. “Everyone recognizes that customers want technology delivered as a Service, but they also want it on their terms. HPE’s unique approach to as a Service, which empowers customers with choice, flexibility, and control, is driving HPE GreenLake’s tremendous success. We will continue to invest aggressively in this opportunity, to capitalize on our market leadership, leverage our world-class channel and partner ecosystem, and deliver our entire portfolio, from edge to cloud, under the HPE GreenLake portfolio. As a result, we will reshape HPE and transform the market, with a new and better way to deliver as a Service.”

The post Hewlett Packard Plans to Transition into a Service-based Company by 2022 appeared first on My TechDecisions.

To help businesses around capitalize on this opportunity, Dell Technologies and ThoughtSpot have collaborated on a solution to empower any business person, regardless of their technical sophistication, to find insights hidden in their enterprise data using search and AI.

“As one of the world’s most trusted technology partners for global enterprises, we’re always innovating new services and solutions that bring real value to our customers,” said Ron Pugh, vice president, Dell Technologies OEM & IoT Solutions. “Collaborating with ThoughtSpot, customers have an opportunity to tap into the true power of their data by empowering every employee, from the boardroom to the back office, with access to data-driven insights.”

ThoughtSpot’s search and AI-driven analytics software will be available on Dell EMC PowerEdge C6420 servers. With this new appliance, business users can tap into the power and knowledge of their entire datacenter through a simple, natural language search, and leverage AI to have insights automatically generated and pushed to relevant users whenever and wherever they make decisions. The solution is completely turnkey and is backed by Dell EMC’s world class global customer support team, enabling enterprises to deploy ThoughtSpot quickly and securely on Dell EMC PowerEdge C6420 servers.

“Dell Technologies sets the bar when it comes to technology excellence, not only through their innovative offerings, but as the embodiment of world class customer support,” adds Toni Adams, vice president of Global Channels and Alliances, ThoughtSpot. “I’m thrilled to partner with such an exemplary company to help our customers across the globe transform their operations and embrace the digital future.”

The post ThoughtSpot Expands Search and AI-Driven Analytics to Every Enterprise appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Benefits for Smaller Businesses

“Offering ICS security as a cloud-delivered service has the potential to improve the scalability and flexibility of deployments while extending security to smaller operators that lack the resources to manage complex installations,” says Patrick Daly, an analyst at 451 Research. Adds Mille Gandlesman, CTO of Indegy, “Indegy CIRRUS takes advantage of the cloud to disseminate and collaboratively share intelligence in real-time to stay ahead of threats, enable global security management from anywhere, and deliver comprehensive protection capabilities as a service.”

Harnessing the Cloud

To provide universal visibility, security and control, Indegy CIRRUS combines the following four interwoven applications that can be deployed in flexible hybrid cloud or pure cloud options:

Live Feed: Threat intelligence infrastructure delivers real-time updates on high-risk threats, including vulnerabilities, signatures and other indicators of compromise.

Enterprise Manager: Enables centralized management and visibility for distributed, multi-site environments from the cloud anytime, anywhere.

Cloud Collaboration: Collects and correlates anonymized data from Indegy deployments around the world for real-time sharing of threat intelligence and remediation recommendations.

Device Integrity: Patented active detection technology provides organizations with complete security coverage – now in pure cloud configuration made possible with a simple VPN setup and zero hardware.

Availability of CIRRUS

The new version of the Indegy Industrial Cybersecurity Suite and Indegy CIRRUS ICSaaS are available immediately with additional features to be generally available later this summer.

The post Indegy Offers Cloud-based Industrial Cyber Security as a Service (ICSaaS) appeared first on My TechDecisions.

Read more about LG at InfoComm 2019

“As demand accelerates for advanced outdoor signage displays, LG is helping to drive that growth by listening carefully to our customers and delivering next-generation solutions that best meet their needs,” says Dan Smith, vice president, business development LG Electronics USA Business Solutions. “Superb viewability in challenging outdoor conditions is first and foremost, but other things like replaceable glass, smart platforms, easy installation and reliability also are important to our customers.”

Related: Understanding Brightness in Outdoor Displays

Bright Day & Night, Even When Viewing Through Sunglasses

With a brightness of 4,000 nits, the LG XE4F displays are designed to provide clear, vivid picture quality, viewable from any angle even in direct sunlight. The screen brightness is automatically adjusted depending on ambient light, increasing during the day for better visibility and decreasing at night or in the shade for efficient power management. Quarter Wave Plate technology enables clearer visibility even when the viewer is wearing polarized sunglasses.

Waterproof & Weatheproof

LG XE4F outdoor displays are IP56 certified as waterproof and weatherproof and are IK10 certified to assure protection from external impacts. Designed for excellent reliability in various climates and seasons, the LG XE4F series features a high operating temperature range from -22°F to 122°F.

Smart Operating System

Lastly, the XE4F series incorporates LG’s webOS Signage 4.0 smart platform. The new 55-inch model 55XE4F and 49-inch 49XE4F join other LG outdoor digital signage displays, the 75-inch 75XE3C and 49-inch 49XEB3E models based on the LG webOS Signage 3.0 platform.

The post New Digital Signage from LG Optimized for Outdoor Applications appeared first on My TechDecisions.

AI-Based Video Analytics

A first for the company was the introduction of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based video analytics solution. The REA-C1000, allows users to create video content in real time, without the need for specialized training, additional staff or equipment.

The compact and lightweight REA-C1000 uses AI-based video analytics technology to analyze the input it receives from connected cameras and automatically extract the object in focus to combine it with other images in real time. This technology uses motion/face detection and color/shape recognition, enabling the REA-C1000 to be the brain of any connected camera and AV setup. Optional features include handwriting extraction and presenter overlay, chroma keyless CG overlay, PTZ auto tracking, focus area cropping and close-up by gesture.

PTZ High-Def Cameras

Following the recently announced 4K BRC-X400 camera, Sony introduced the SRG-X400 and SRG-X120 as part of its range of FHD (full high definition) PTZ cameras. The cameras, which feature a wide viewing angle, support IP and are equipped with NDI|HX capability through an optional license. The NDI|HX option presents flexibility in simple and cost-effective IP-based live production systems when combined with other NDI-compatible hardware or software anywhere on the network. Both new models are available with a 4K upgrade option – a first for PTZ cameras.

Laser Projectors

Sony’s new VPL-FHZ75 (6500lm) and VPL-FHZ70 (5500lm) cater to the increased market demand for high brightness projection in midsize environments such as universities, corporations, churches, museums and entertainment installations.

Offering WUXGA resolution, both use a newly developed 0.76-inch LCD panel with an incorporated optical compensator to deliver bright and vibrant images with stunning contrast, offering true blacks and accurate-to-life color reproduction. Both models come with a new, innovative ‘intelligent setting’ feature that simplifies the installation process by automatically selecting the best configuration based on the projectors’ environment.

Other Products Demonstrated by Sony at InfoComm:

BRAVIA 4K professional displays, ranging in size from 43 to 85-inches. The BZ35F series incorporates  Kramer Control BRAINware.

Vision Exchange enables BYOD wireless sharing, improved communication and distance learning through Skype for Business, and smart Personal Note Taker and annotation capabilities. The latest version of Vision Exchange—Version 1.3— adds the ability to power on and off both the main unit and each pod simultaneously, as well as the ability to save snapshots automatically to a USB drive inserted into the main unit or pods.

Sony and UbiCast’s Miris Netcapture software and Miris Video Platform network-based lecture capture and enable interactive learning experiences. The UbiCast solution can also integrate with Vision Exchange to create more engaging video content.

Sony’s immersive Crystal LED display system features a 99 percent black surface area for enhanced contrast.

Sonic Surf VR audio technology combines multi-channel speakers, displays and specially developed software designed to simulate placing, moving and partitioning sounds in one space.

The VPL-GTZ240 2,000 lumen native 4K projector incorporates the latest Sony native 4K SXRD imager

Sony’s CMS for healthcare helps manage surgical videos and still images from one central location.

NUCLeUS is a smart digital operating room platform for today’s ORs.

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