#Staff Learning Management Software

[treeams]

Train Smart, Not Hard: How Staff Training Software Can Make Life Easier

Training staff used to mean long hours in a conference room printed manuals, and of course, a lot of yawns. But today things are different and a whole lot easier.  Whether you are running a small business or managing a large team, Staff Training Software can be a game changer. In this guide you can learn everything about staff training software.

What do you need to know about staff training software?

Let's keep it simple. Staff training software is a tool that helps you teach track and test your team all in one place. It can be used to deliver courses that show how to assign videos quizzes and track who's learned what. Instead of justice gathering everyone in a room or sending that endless emails you can create training content once and let your team access in when they are ready. Think of it like your online training hub.

Why is it so helpful?

You might be thinking why can't you just explain things during meetings or send few questions documents? Fair question but training is not just about passing information. It's all about building skills, improving performance and making sure everyone is on the same page. Here is what Training Management System helps you with. Like you can train once reuse forever everyone gets the same information and also know who completed what. Whether it's 5 or 500 staff members the software skills with your business.

Key features to look for

Not all Staff Training Software is created equal. Summer super simple others packed with features.

Easy to use dashboard

You and your team should not need tech skills to use their system. You need to look for something clean and very easy to navigate.

 Course builder

Can you easily create your own lessons? Upload PDFs videos or write content directly in the platform?

Quiz and test features

Quizzes can help you reinforce learning and make it fun. Some platforms even auto grade them.

Progress tracking

You would also like to see who started, who finished and who needs a little push.

mobile access

If your team is on the go, make sure that they can train from their phone or tablet.

Benefits you will notice

Let's be honest, switching to a new system can feel like a hassle. but once you get going you are likely to wonder why you didn't sooner. With Training Management System your new staff can get trained quickly with less supervision. People will remember more when they learn at their own pace. There is no more guessing you can know exactly what's happening. Train staff also means staff confidence and better results.

Common mistakes to avoid

If you're thinking of using training software, you should not overload with too much content. Always keep the lessons short and focused. Don't forget to update your training. You need to keep it fresh and relevant. Don't skip the feedback. You need to ask your staff what works and what doesn't. You should not assume everyone's tech savvy just provide a quick how to for the first time users.

So above all you need to know that the way we work is changing. Remote teams flexible hours fast-changing tools all of this means we need better faster ways to keep our people trained and ready. Staff training is not just a nice thing to have anymore. It's becoming a must have, especially for teams that want to stay sharp consistent and competitive. Training doesn't need to be boring or stressful. If your team is growing or just needs better training tools, it's time for you to explore your options. You don't have to go all in at once. Starts small try one course and test it out.

Contact Us:-

Tree AMS

Visit now: - https://treeams.com

Call us: - +6591711373

Mail: - connect@treeams.com

[mariacallous]

At the 2023 Defcon hacker conference in Las Vegas, prominent AI tech companies partnered with algorithmic integrity and transparency groups to sic thousands of attendees on generative AI platforms and find weaknesses in these critical systems. This “red-teaming” exercise, which also had support from the US government, took a step in opening these increasingly influential yet opaque systems to scrutiny. Now, the ethical AI and algorithmic assessment nonprofit Humane Intelligence is taking this model one step further. On Wednesday, the group announced a call for participation with the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, inviting any US resident to participate in the qualifying round of a nationwide red-teaming effort to evaluate AI office productivity software.

The qualifier will take place online and is open to both developers and anyone in the general public as part of NIST's AI challenges, known as Assessing Risks and Impacts of AI, or ARIA. Participants who pass through the qualifying round will take part in an in-person red-teaming event at the end of October at the Conference on Applied Machine Learning in Information Security (CAMLIS) in Virginia. The goal is to expand capabilities for conducting rigorous testing of the security, resilience, and ethics of generative AI technologies.

“The average person utilizing one of these models doesn’t really have the ability to determine whether or not the model is fit for purpose,” says Theo Skeadas, chief of staff at Humane Intelligence. “So we want to democratize the ability to conduct evaluations and make sure everyone using these models can assess for themselves whether or not the model is meeting their needs.”

The final event at CAMLIS will split the participants into a red team trying to attack the AI systems and a blue team working on defense. Participants will use the AI 600-1 profile, part of NIST's AI risk management framework, as a rubric for measuring whether the red team is able to produce outcomes that violate the systems' expected behavior.

“NIST's ARIA is drawing on structured user feedback to understand real-world applications of AI models,” says Humane Intelligence founder Rumman Chowdhury, who is also a contractor in NIST's Office of Emerging Technologies and a member of the US Department of Homeland Security AI safety and security board. “The ARIA team is mostly experts on sociotechnical test and evaluation, and [is] using that background as a way of evolving the field toward rigorous scientific evaluation of generative AI.”

Chowdhury and Skeadas say the NIST partnership is just one of a series of AI red team collaborations that Humane Intelligence will announce in the coming weeks with US government agencies, international governments, and NGOs. The effort aims to make it much more common for the companies and organizations that develop what are now black-box algorithms to offer transparency and accountability through mechanisms like “bias bounty challenges,” where individuals can be rewarded for finding problems and inequities in AI models.

“The community should be broader than programmers,” Skeadas says. “Policymakers, journalists, civil society, and nontechnical people should all be involved in the process of testing and evaluating of these systems. And we need to make sure that less represented groups like individuals who speak minority languages or are from nonmajority cultures and perspectives are able to participate in this process.”

[blnationwins]

My stream of conscious having just finished the 4th episode of The Heart Killers:

I’m so confused… I thought they were hit men. But they also plant bugs and tap into software like spies. And they’re also just plain thieves who break into safes to steal jewels? And they have such an extensive wardrobe. Did they also rent a fire truck or hop out Fadel’s jeep dressed like firemen? Did they start a fire? Is there a cat stuck in a tree? Where did Bison get a fresh janitor’s outfit w/ no wrinkles & a PE outfit in their sizes in less than an hour? Speaking of which, where in the world did Style get a burger costume? I can only imagine it’s handmade. What other crafts does Style like to do? When will Style ever help his dad at the shop? Does Style order crop tops or know how to hem and crops any shirt he likes himself? Is he bisexual? Everyone has chemistry with everyone. When will they have a foursome? Is that incest? And why do Fadel and Bison have a burger restaurant as a cover up in the first place? A cover up for what exactly? It’s not a money laundering front. Is it illegal to arrest small business owners in Thailand? Is it truly just Fadel’s passion project? Why does he love burgers? Where did he learn to cook and manage a business? Did he take online classes while training to be a killer? Why did Mother agree to it? Is she a shareholder? Can he cook anything else? How does Fadel not pull his hair out cooking and running food and bussing tables by himself? When will he hire real staff? The most shady part is that there are literally zero employees other than him & Bison and sometimes Style. What is happening?! Why does Kant never lock his door? When is he going to get a ring doorbell? Why do Fadel and Bison live in a mansion? Not really keeping a low profile. Do they have savings accounts? Or do they get an allowance from Mother? Who is Mother and why is she so bad at Mothering? What even is Keen? He looks older than both Bison and Fadel so why is he not “in the field” yet? Is he such a good assistant that Mother doesn’t want him to get killed? How did they train to become hitmen? Where at? Are they actually Mother’s adopted sons or what? Which came first, the adoption or the hitman training? How and when did Bison discover his kink? Does he listen to Rihanna? Does he go on r/bdsm? When will he get to use his ball gag? Why did Kant take a picture of it? How did no one notice him drugging Bison’s drink? He did it so conspicuously! Why would the bartender agree to make those shots and not call security immediately? Dude’s sus! Will they start a gay bowling league? Can Fadel bowl? Will Style have to get a C-section? How in the world are they going to be able to raise a kid? They’re both so busy. Is Bison ready to be an uncle? What are the hours Heart Burger is open? Do they have milkshakes? When will we see a shrew?

Phew!😮‍💨 I could do this all day… Anyway, so far I’m loving this series! Shakespeare would be proud (and I actually mean that)

[cyberstudious]

An Introduction to Cybersecurity

I created this post for the Studyblr Masterpost Jam, check out the tag for more cool masterposts from folks in the studyblr community!

What is cybersecurity?

Cybersecurity is all about securing technology and processes - making sure that the software, hardware, and networks that run the world do exactly what they need to do and can't be abused by bad actors.

The CIA triad is a concept used to explain the three goals of cybersecurity. The pieces are:

Confidentiality: ensuring that information is kept secret, so it can only be viewed by the people who are allowed to do so. This involves encrypting data, requiring authentication before viewing data, and more.

Integrity: ensuring that information is trustworthy and cannot be tampered with. For example, this involves making sure that no one changes the contents of the file you're trying to download or intercepts your text messages.

Availability: ensuring that the services you need are there when you need them. Blocking every single person from accessing a piece of valuable information would be secure, but completely unusable, so we have to think about availability. This can also mean blocking DDoS attacks or fixing flaws in software that cause crashes or service issues.

What are some specializations within cybersecurity? What do cybersecurity professionals do?

incident response

digital forensics (often combined with incident response in the acronym DFIR)

reverse engineering

cryptography

governance/compliance/risk management

penetration testing/ethical hacking

vulnerability research/bug bounty

threat intelligence

cloud security

industrial/IoT security, often called Operational Technology (OT)

security engineering/writing code for cybersecurity tools (this is what I do!)

and more!

Where do cybersecurity professionals work?

I view the industry in three big chunks: vendors, everyday companies (for lack of a better term), and government. It's more complicated than that, but it helps.

Vendors make and sell security tools or services to other companies. Some examples are Crowdstrike, Cisco, Microsoft, Palo Alto, EY, etc. Vendors can be giant multinational corporations or small startups. Security tools can include software and hardware, while services can include consulting, technical support, or incident response or digital forensics services. Some companies are Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), which means that they serve as the security team for many other (often small) businesses.

Everyday companies include everyone from giant companies like Coca-Cola to the mom and pop shop down the street. Every company is a tech company now, and someone has to be in charge of securing things. Some businesses will have their own internal security teams that respond to incidents. Many companies buy tools provided by vendors like the ones above, and someone has to manage them. Small companies with small tech departments might dump all cybersecurity responsibilities on the IT team (or outsource things to a MSSP), or larger ones may have a dedicated security staff.

Government cybersecurity work can involve a lot of things, from securing the local water supply to working for the big three letter agencies. In the U.S. at least, there are also a lot of government contractors, who are their own individual companies but the vast majority of what they do is for the government. MITRE is one example, and the federal research labs and some university-affiliated labs are an extension of this. Government work and military contractor work are where geopolitics and ethics come into play most clearly, so just… be mindful.

What do academics in cybersecurity research?

A wide variety of things! You can get a good idea by browsing the papers from the ACM's Computer and Communications Security Conference. Some of the big research areas that I'm aware of are:

cryptography & post-quantum cryptography

machine learning model security & alignment

formal proofs of a program & programming language security

security & privacy

security of network protocols

vulnerability research & developing new attack vectors

Cybersecurity seems niche at first, but it actually covers a huge range of topics all across technology and policy. It's vital to running the world today, and I'm obviously biased but I think it's a fascinating topic to learn about. I'll be posting a new cybersecurity masterpost each day this week as a part of the #StudyblrMasterpostJam, so keep an eye out for tomorrow's post! In the meantime, check out the tag and see what other folks are posting about :D

[shimii26]

Faz-Pocket Shenanigans: Chapter 2

“Goodbye friends, we can’t wait to see you all tomorrow!” Sun squealed, waving to the last of the children leaving the daycare.

“Nice job today Sun, you almost went the whole day without tripping over a kid!” Moon chastised, chuckling as he went to clean up a pile of noisemaker barrels.

“Hey! I can’t always see where I’m going when I’m six feet taller than the kids, Moon!” Sun pouted, crossing his arms.

It had been four weeks since Sun and Moon’s most recent upgrade of being able to convert food into usable energy. The Pizza Plex has yet to make any progress with convincing the city to provide them the necessary power they need to power their robots with electricity only, so all of the animatronics have had to adapt their schedules in order to be able to eat on time. Sun and Moon’s schedule in particular was the easiest to transition since they work in a night and day manner already, and they need to refuel at least once every twelve hours. The Glamrocks however took a bit longer to adapt; with their numerous concerts and birthday parties they needed to attend everyday, it was difficult at first to implement breaks for them to be able to refuel. Luckily, the staff found it was easier to have the Glamrocks partake in some of the party food when they got the chance, that way, they wouldn’t have to leave their post and continue entertaining the kids. Sometimes the children in the daycare would bring extra snacks that Sun could partake in if he was offered during his shift, but not every kid brings in a ‘clean’ snack, so it’s not always feasible for him to get ahead on his eating schedule. Since Moon handles naptime and the sleepover nights, the kids aren’t sharing snacks since they’re meant to be sleeping, so it’s very rare for Moon to have a bite to eat during his shift, but he doesn’t seem to mind much, especially when the only things the kids bring in tend to be on the messy side. As long as they remember to eat after their shifts, the artificial hunger didn’t seem to bother them.

Sun even managed to gain an appreciation of all the new flavors he’s never had before and learn about different cultures from whatever snacks the kids bring in to share. Sometimes if he was lucky, he’d take a sample with him and give it to Moon once he was done with his shift (If he didn’t eat the rest of it himself that is…). But now that they have been running on this new schedule for a month, it was time for the staff to check in on everyone. A Parts and Service technician walked in on the closing daycare door as the last parent and child duo had left, and he walked up to the two of them. “Alright you two, come with me. It’s time for your monthly check-up, gotta make sure your new upgrades are running properly.” the technician told them, tapping on their clipboard.

“A check-up?” Sun wondered, tilting his head. “But, aren’t we in charge of the maintenance of our new upgrades?”

“I don’t think they’re talking about the cleaning part, Sun.” Moon informed him. “Shouldn’t we spruce up the daycare first?” “Don’t worry, we’re going to have staff do that tonight, you two will be staying overnight in Parts and Service while we go through your calibrations and downloading some new updates to your software.” the technician explained.

“Overnight?” Sun mumbled, it was the first time he had heard of this kind of Parts and Service option. “Is that why the sleepover was canceled tonight?”

“Yes, it was to make sure we could work on you two at the same time in order to avoid a possible emergency malfunction and prevent the daycare from being unattended while the kids were here. Now c’mon.” they confirmed, heading towards the door.

“Okay.” Sun and Moon nodded, following the technician to Parts and Services.

Despite knowing that this was only a check-up, Sun was still a bit nervous. Ever since the threat of decommissioning the two of them when Moon had his virus, he had been wary of being anywhere near this place. He shuddered and held onto Moon’s shoulders for comfort.

“Relax Sunny, it won’t hurt a bit.” Moon reassured him, placing one of his hands on Sun’s as they walked.

“I-If you say so…” Sun replied, keeping his head behind Moon’s.

- - -

“Alright, we’re here, stay put until the mechanic is ready for you two. They should be almost finished with Monty.” they instructed them, shutting the door behind them.

Moon could feel Sun’s hands increase their shuddering the longer the two waited.

“...Sun, you alright?” Moon turned to Sun, bringing his gaze towards his.

“...I-I know we didn’t do a-anything wrong, but… I just d-don’t like being i-in here…” Sun stuttered, starting to shake a bit more.

“Easy Sun, there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ll make sure of it, okay?” Moon comforted him, pulling him in for a hug.

“...T-Thank you…” Sun sniffled, leaning into the hug.

Suddenly the door behind them creaked open, it was the mechanic and an assistant. Their outfits were stained with various oils and dust patches, presumably from working on all of the other animatronics from earlier today. Sun jolted when he heard the door and hid behind Moon.

“Okay boys, we’ll need one of you to come with me and the other stays in here. We’ll shut one of you down to do the updates and talk with the other about any issues, then switch once the updates are done downloading, okay?” The mechanic informed them. “So, who’s updating first?”

Sun gulped. He hated the idea of being shut down for the updates, any lack of control put him at unease. Moon took quick notice of this and stepped forward.

“-I’ll update first, just… Want to get it over with, y’know?” Moon shrugged, turning to Sun and giving him a wink to show him his kindness.

“Alright Moon, come with me. Sun, you stay here with Miss Farnes and talk about any issues you may be having.” The mechanic nodded, leading Moon through the door. “I’ll be back, Sun, don’t worry.” Moon warmly smiled, stepping through to head to the other room.

Sun nodded, watching Moon head out the door. He turned to Miss Farnes, who smiled and patted the table next to her, encouraging him to sit on it. He hesitated, but did so, gripping the table as his feet barely dangled off the edge. Even though he was one of the tallest animatronics in the Pizza Plex, the table was still quite high for his height. Despite her friendliness towards him and Moon’s support, he remained a bit uneasy.

“Now Sun, let’s go over some of the issues you’ve been facing with this new upgrade first and go from there, okay?” she asked him.

“Well… Okay.” Sun replied, rubbing his neck. “It was a bit… challenging to figure out what I could and couldn’t eat. I had hoped the instructions were a bit more clear and precise, but some of the do’s and don’ts were a bit vague to say the least.”

“Oh, I see. Well, we can certainly get someone to give you a more extensive guide on what’s allowed and what’s not, does that seem reasonable?” she offered.

“...Yeah, I’d like that.” Sun smiled, relaxing a bit now that he was distracted. “A-And I think the new additions to our rooms have been really helpful… But I think we could use stronger utensils, Moon has a habit of snapping the plastic ones before he can use them.”

The two of them chuckled at that fact.

“Sure, we can get you two some silverware, but we’ll need to provide you with access to a nearby sink so you can wash them properly. We don’t want mold developing in your rooms afterall.” she nodded, taking down some notes about needed changes. “You two are able to clean the daycare by yourselves, some real silverware shouldn’t be an issue for you to learn.”

“Oh yeah, we’ve already had lots of practice in the play kitchen with the little ones in the daycare! They’re so smart, they even showed me how to use the play 'DishWasher’!” Sun giggled.

“Great, that’s good to know. Anything else we should know about?” She wondered.

“Hrmm…” Sun pondered. “...Do you think we can get some more unique foods in our fridge to eat? One of the little ones introduced me to Dim Sum, and it’s an absolutely delightful tasting treat! I’d like to eat more of it on my breaks!”

“Well, the pizzeria doesn’t sell Dim Sum, and I’m not sure if we can convince inventory to purchase food items that are only consumed by the animatronics, but I can put in a word for you!” she told him, taking down his food order.

“Thank you!” Sun squealed, excited for the chance to try more new foods.

“Okay, I think we’re all set with the questions, now we can get into the examination.” she told him.

“E-Examination?” Sun asked, his rays drooping a bit. “You mean, like, a tune-up?”

“Yes, I just need to check some of your internal parts for damage and make sure you’re cleaning yourself up properly, okay?” she informs him, reaching for his chest plate.

“W-Wait, don’t open-!” Sun tried to stop her, but-

FOOOOOOSH!

A massive cloud of black soot poured out from Sun’s chest cavity, covering Miss Farnes from head to toe. They coughed from the sudden dust cloud, both fanning the air to try and improve the visual field. “-that…” Sun groaned. “I uh… I haven't had a chance to clean that yet…”

“Oof, Sun…” she cleared her throat. “When was the last time you cleaned out your waste container?”

“U-Um…” Sun stuttered, twiddling his thumbs. “...Gosh, I-I don’t remember, maybe… fourteen days ago?” “Sun, you need to be more on top of cleaning yourself out.” she warned him. “We don’t want you trailing soot on the kids, or causing your body to overheat. If this can’t regulate your temperature properly, you might shut down during your shift.” “W-What!? Oh gosh, I-I don’t want to do that to the kids!” Sun panicked, locking his hands together. “I-I’ll make sure I clean up more often, I-I promise!” “That’s good to hear, now let’s get you cleaned up.” she smiled, taking his waste container out and placing it in the sink. “Would you mind lying down for me?” “Oh uh, okay…” Sun agreed and lied down, watching curiously at what she was going to do next.

She turned around and set up a brush tip vacuum, turning it on and began to clean Sun out. He giggled at the funny feeling the vacuum gave him, and was relieved that he wasn’t in much trouble for the mess he created.

- - -

“Alright Moon, lay down on the table and we’ll get the update going.” The mechanic instructed him when the two of them entered the computer room.

“Fine.” Moon grumbled, not looking forward to being shut down. “...Look, when you get to Sun… Can you try and be a bit nice to him? He’s not very thrilled about being back in Parts and Service, especially after you guys dragged him here to repair his neck weeks ago.”

“We did what we had to do to repair him, the least he can do is let us do the updates without a fight.” they glared at Moon, the two sharing an equal dislike of each other. “Just lie down and turn your head away from me.”

“As you wish, your majesty~” Moon mocked, putting on his best snotty servant impression as he bowed then lied down.

“Don’t call me that... Hold still, this’ll only take a few hours.” they told him, strapping Moon onto the table and taking out a USB cable to plug him into the mainframe.

“Damn, good thing I’m not going to be awake that long…” Moon yawned, beginning the shut down process.

“Yeah yeah, whatever…” the mechanic sighed, shutting Moon down and setting the computer up for the download once he was plugged in.

- - -

“Hehehehee, that tickles!” Sun laughed as Miss Farnes worked on his internal wiring.

“Hold still Sun, I just have to replace a couple more cables!” she chuckled, trying to keep her hands steady and pull out the right wires.

“S-Sorry, it’s just s-so sensitive there, hahahaha!” he continued, trying not to kick his feet.

“...Alright, that should do it! You’re all set for the update, then you’ll be ready for tomorrow!” she smiled, closing him up.

“Yeah! I-” he paused, remembering that this was only part one of his check-up. “...Oh yeah, t-the update…” “Don’t worry Sun, you won’t feel a thing. It’ll be just like playing hide-and-seek when you’re it, just close your eyes, count to ten, and you’re back! Nothing to worry about!” she reassured him.

“...O-Okay, I think I’m ready...” he nodded.

“Oh, but first, we should get you out of those soot stained clothes, we’ll wash them for you while you update.” she told him, giving his pants a tug. “Can you take ‘em off for me?” “Heh, oh yeah, can’t have them dirty for tomorrow!” Sun agreed, standing up and took them off. “Can I keep my wrist bells on though?” “Sure, they don’t appear to have gotten soot on them.” she shrugged.

Suddenly the door behind them opened up, Moon entering first looking a bit tired from being shut down for so long. The mechanic followed behind him, looking equally enthusiastic.

“Oh Moon, you’re back! Are you okay? Did it hurt!?” Sun concerningly asked, giving Moon a sudden hug.

“Heh, Sun I’m fine, there’s nothing to worry about. Now c’mon, the sooner it’s done, the sooner we can get back to work.” Moon reassured him, patting him on the back.

“Let’s go Sun, the computer’s ready.” the mechanic instructed.

“O-Okay…” Sun groaned, rubbing the side of his arm and following the mechanic to the computer room.

“Alright, and while you're here Moon, we can go over any issues you two have been having with your newest upgrade.” Farnes told him.

“Fineeee, I guess we do have a couple complaints…” Moon shrugged, shutting the door and sitting down on the table.

“Great, why don’t we go over some of the points Sun brought up?” she suggested to him.

“Aight, shoot.” Moon chuckled while crossing his arms and legs.

“Okay, Sun was hoping for a better instruction booklet that’s much more specific to help you two better learn what’s okay to eat and what’s not, he’s asked for stronger utensils in your room to use, and he’d like more new foods to eat, like Dim Sum.” she said going down the list.

“Yeah, I keep holding the forks too hard and the plastic snaps.” Moon explained. “..And I wouldn’t mind something new to eat, pizza does get a bit old once you’ve tried every topping…”

“Okay great, do you have concerns for yourself?” she asked.

“Hrmm…” Moon pondered. “...I want to try tacos.” Moon requested. “And I want more fruit snacks.”

“...Okayyy, anything else?” she asked, trying to redirect back to her question with one eyebrow raised.

“...Whole milk, not skim.” Moon responded.

“Any actual problems?...” she redirected again.

…He didn’t answer.

“Look, you don’t have to give me attitude.” she sighed, getting up from her chair. “I’m just here to help you two through this temporary upgrade… let’s just get to the tune-up.”

“Hey, this is just me at my best, I dunno what you’re talking about.” Moon mocked.

“Sure, just, shut up and let me work.” she rolled her eyes, opening up Moon’s chest cavity and examining inside. “...Okay, nice and clean so far, been keeping up with your maintenance.”

“Why thank you, Miss Farnes~” Moon chuckled with a toothy grin. “I do try my hardest afterall~”

“Moon stop it, I need to focus.” she remarked, taking out her stethoscope. “Let’s make sure your gears aren’t squeaking.”

“Umm…” Moon was about to say something, but...

CLICK CREAAK WHIIIIRRRR…

. . .

“Mooooon?…” she sighed and looked up at his face.

“Yeah?” he replied back.

“...Did you eat today?” she confronted him.

“...If I say yes, will you shut up?” Moon sleazily smiled.

…She gave Moon quite the staredown.

“Fine, no…” he grumbled, giving his stomach a pat. “I didn’t have time to eat…” “Moon, you should have plenty of time to eat while Sun is caring for the kids in the morning.” She scolded as she began to look through some of the cabinets nearby. “What could you have possibly been doing that whole time?”

“Duh, sleeping. It’s important to me.” Moon answered back, putting his arms and legs back in a criss-cross and turning his head away in a pout.

“Moon, you need to eat; plain and simple. Your gears are going to hurt you the longer you wait.” she explained, holding out a bag of cookies for him to take. “Here, eat this. We can check to see if your converter is working this way.” “Urgghh, cookies, really?” Moon groaned, taking the bag and opening it up.

“Eat it.” she demanded, bringing her voice tone lower.

- - -

Sun and the mechanic soon arrived at the computer room for his update. Taking everything in, Sun’s nerves started to get the better of him, and he began to shudder again. Shutting himself down made him uncomfortable since he lacked control in this state, just like when Moon had his virus in the past. But despite being in his own body and having full control of what he can do during the night, it still filled him with fear of the unknown.

“Alright, lay down and turn your head away from me, let’s get this over with.” the mechanic instructed.

“W-Wait! C-Can’t we just do this another way? W-We don’t need to s-shut myself down to-” Sun started, but was cut off.

“Sun, lay down. You will be shutting down for this update, no alternatives or excuses.” they ordered him.

“Y-Yes sir…” Sun stuttered, doing as he said.

As the cold table touched his back, he shivered a bit, keeping his head faced away from the mechanic. He felt their hands grip the back of his face plate, placing the USB cable into one of his ports. Sun gulped and turned to face him once the plug was in. “...I…I will… wake up, r-right?...” Sun whimpered.

The mechanic sighed, they didn’t have much choice but to comfort Sun just a bit.

“...Yes, you’re going to wake up in a few hours. Just relax already.” they sarcastically reassured him, switching one of Sun’s power switches.

“O-Okay…” Sun whispered, slowly shutting his eyes as he powered down.

“...Finally…” they rolled their eyes. “What a baby…”

- - -

“Aaaand that should be the last wire. Okay Moon, you’re good to head back to your room and get ready for today.” Farnes told him, closing up his chest cavity. “It’ll be a couple hours before Sun finishes, so you can take a nap beforehand if you want.”

“About time, I’ve been up all night…” Moon yawned as he sat up. “...Thanks for the tune-up, and don’t forget to let the staff know about our requests.”

“Don’t worry, I will. Take care!” she nodded, waving goodbye to him as he stepped out of the room.

. . .

Moon walked by himself towards the daycare, getting in a few stretches along the way. Despite being shut down for a few hours, he was still quite tired from the ordeal, and decided he would take advantage of the free time and have a nice long nap. Once he entered through the daycare’s double doors and stepped over to the play area, he hooked himself up to the fly rig that hung in place by the ball pit’s edge and lifted himself up to their room. Once he reached the wall stage, he then proceeded to unhook himself to store it on their own hook, and made his way inside, flopping right into his bed once he got to it. He rolled himself up with his blanket and grabbed a few pillows to snuggle up with. Soon his exhaustion combined with the warmth he began to generate overtook him and he fell straight to sleep, faintly snoring a bit.

- - -

“...Mnnnrgghh, wh- huh?...” Sun groaned, stirring awake from his shut down.

“Oh good, you’re up. You’re all set with your update, take your pants and head back to the daycare.” the mechanic told him while he unlocked Sun’s straps and handed him his freshly washed trousers.

“Oh, I’m… back awake. Whew, glad that’s over…” Sun sighed in relief, taking his trousers in hand. “Thank you for the work you do here.” “Mhmm yeah, just go, it’s almost time for your shift.” they said as they unplugged him. “Hurry on out.” “Oh my gosh! It’s already time for my shift!? I-I gotta go!” Sun panicked, jumping onto his feet and heading towards the exit as he tried to put his pants on at the same time.

. . .

Tying his tutu back into place, he rushed towards the daycare, seeing some of the kids already beginning to line up at the check-in. To avoid any of the kids running after him, he took the employees only path that led to the main door, luckily he had the code remembered in order to even use this pathway. As he sprinted down the corridor, he suddenly felt an odd twinge in his stomach…

CREEAAK CLICK CLICK VRRRRR…

“-Huh? What the?”

Sun slowed down to check what might have been causing the noise, along with the uncomfortable feeling. It had only occurred to him now just how much time had passed during his and Moon’s tune-up. Neither of them as far as he could recall were given a time reset with a snack, so he was due for a refueling.

“Oh that’s right! I’ve been at Parts and Services all night, I didn’t eat anything!... I-I can’t do my shift on an empty stomach!“ Sun told himself. “...I should have enough time to eat something quick before the kids come in…”

He eventually made it to the end of the employee path corridor and opened the metal door, heading for the main entrance of the daycare. He pushed the right door of the large double doors open just a crack to enter, stepping over to the ballpit’s edge where their fly rig is typically hung…

But the fly rig wasn’t there.

The fly rig is gone…” Sun gasped with concern. “Hopefully Moon is awake to throw me down the hook…”

It was 7:59, he only had one minute left to get upstairs and refuel. He stepped on the tallest play structure near their room entrance and called out to Moon.

“MOON!? YOU AWAKE!? I NEED OUR FLY RIG TO GET-” WOOOOSH!

The double doors flung open, and the morning daycare kids flooded in with excitement. Some kids jumped into the ballpit right away to join Sun, others began to crawl in the jungle gym, and a few began to create in the arts and crafts corner. It was immediately overwhelming to him since he wasn’t at the front to direct everyone to first put away their backpacks and shoes, as well as his focus was still on getting himself the fly rig so he could eat. If he couldn’t eat at any point during his shift, he could be in for a long day…

“-C’mon Mr. Sun, let’s play!” One child yelled to Sun, grabbing his attention.

“-Huh? O-Oh, y-yes of course! It’s uh, time to play, starlights!” Sun announced, his smile clearly on the artificial side today.

It was at this point he had no choice; with Moon unable to hear him in his sleep, there was going to be no fly rig to help him get back to his room to eat. He would have to wait until he could find the right opportunity to alert one of the guards to grab him a snack, but that was easier said than done. It seemed like the kids were riled up today, already looking like they want to play a very physically demanding game with Sun, hopefully he wouldn’t have to move as much as they were wanting to, the more he played in this condition, the more uncomfortable he would feel, and would soon be noticeable by the children. Always wanting to make sure the kids would never worry about him, he would have to be on top of masking his discomfort, and finding ways to distract them from the noise his body will inevitably make.

“So uh, what game do you kids wanna play first? That is, after we have you remove your-” Sun started, but was quickly cut off.

“We wanna play Color Tag, and we want you to be ‘it’ first!” One kid explained the rules, making sure everyone was on board, which they seemed to be. “If we call out a color before you tag us, we’re safe for 10 seconds, and you have to tag all of us out to win! We can only call out each color once, that makes it harder as we play!”

Great, Sun was it first? That amount of movement was surely going to put him through his paces. He would just have to bide his time and go along with the ordeal, hopefully the kids weren’t very creative with their colors besides the basics. Luckily since he towered over the kids in height, he didn’t have to run as fast to catch up with them.

“Ready!? Gooooo!” another kid shouted, causing everyone to scatter.

Sun got to work and began to chase the kids who were closest to him. Already his first attempts to catch even a single kid were futile, they knew their basic colors quite well thanks to all of the creative lessons he had given them over the months they’d been coming there. Soon they started to use more uncommon colors to escape being tagged, some colors he had no idea where they even learned their names, but luckily the younger ones weren’t as familiar, so they were the first to be tagged out. The strain of the physicality of the game was beginning to affect him as the hunger became more frequent and got louder with each kid he managed to tag out. Eventually there were no more colors the kids could think of, so this was Sun’s chance to finish up and alert a guard of his situation.

“I’m gonna get you!” Sun cheered as he got closer to the last child. “Aaaand, gotcha! Hahaha, I won!” “Yaaaayyy, Sun wins! Again, again!” many of the older kids shouted. “Again, again, again!”

Again!? No way was he about to play Color Tag again in this condition, but how to direct their attention away just long enough for him to slip away?

“U-Uhhh, ooooo new game! H-How about we play- um… Hide-and-Seek!? I’ll hide, and you all count to twenty! Cover your eyes now, cmon!” Sun cheekily smiled, thinking himself clever of his idea; if they couldn’t see where he went, he could get himself a snack from one of the security guards.

“Okay! One, two, three…” The kids in unison began to count.

Sun quickly scurried over to the front desk, where one of the employees was under the desk organizing which plugs should be connected to the only power outlet they had. He peeked over the edge and tried to get the worker’s attention.

“Pssst! Hey, I need your help…” Sun whispered, causing the technician to bump their head on the roof of the desk.

“-Aghh! Shit, that hurts…”

“Oh gosh, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you…” Sun apologized. “L-Listen, I need to take a break, I didn’t-”

“TWENTY!” The kids shouted out loud. “READY OR NOT, HERE WE COME!”

They were already done counting!? Sun stuttered a bit trying to get his request for help out before the kids noticed he wasn’t really hiding, and sure enough, before he could ask, they ran to him.

‘Nuts, should’ve picked a higher number than twenty…’ Sun thought to himself before being dogpiled on by all the kids.

“FOUND YOU!” They all giggled, climbing over each other and tumbling off of him.

Sun knew he couldn’t just try to sit up when they were using him as a hill, he’d probably cause one of them to slip and hurt themselves, so he had to wait until they were done with the dogpile. But before he could notice…

CLICK CREEAAAK WHIIRRRRR…

His eyes grew wide as he felt a sharp pain in his stomach, he couldn’t even try to comfort the sore spot since there were about a dozen children stepping on him. But suddenly, the kids also grew aware of the strange noise, and shrieked in surprise and confusion, tumbling off of him and gathering in a group a few feet away from Sun. He managed to finally sit himself up, but now there was a problem. Every single kid was looking at him like one would look at an angry dog staring them down. They were scared, scared of what came out of Sun. He really didn’t want the children to be terrified of him, so a quick white lie was thought up.

“Mr. Sun, w-what was that?” One kid hesitantly asked.

“-Oh sorry about that! Don’t you worry, it was uh-” Sun fumbled his words together. “M-My bear impression, yeah! Like a mean teddy bear, and I’m gonna get you all and eat you up! Raaawwrr!”

“AHHHH, RUN! HE’S GONNA GET US!” The children playfully screamed and scattered, buying Sun some time to slip away.

While the children were distracted, Sun quickly darted back over to the guard’s station desk and pulled down one of the guard’s newspapers to face them.

“J-Jim! You gotta help me, I need to get upstairs for a break!” Sun begged. “I was in Parts and Service last night, and they forgot to-” “GET THE BEAR!” The kids shouted, carrying pool noodles and charging after Sun. “MAKE HIS HEAD A TROPHY!”

“Nooooo!” Sun whined, unable to get help again and was taken down to the ground by the rain of pool noodles smacking his back. “Owww, darn it…”

“YAAAYYYY!” The kids cheered, waving their pool noodles around in celebration. “WE GOT THE BEAR! NOW LET’S STUFF HIM!” Sun’s eyes widened. Stuff him? He could only guess what they meant by that as he was dragged away from the security guard’s table and back over to the play area.

There was no escaping it, today was going to be rough…

- - -

CREEAAAK VRRRR CLICK CLICK WHIIIIRRRR…

Game after mindlessly long game, and several agonizing moments of being pulled and tugged by the children, Sun was being pushed to his limits. His back ached from the strain of endlessly bending down to pick up kids over and over again, his neck was stiff from having to constantly dart around for any chance of escaping to refuel, he couldn’t catch his breath despite not needing to breathe in the first place, and worst of all, his stomach wouldn’t stop it’s stabbing pain and constantly alerting him to eat. Sun laid face up and sprawled himself out in the ballpit, he stared up at the ceiling, trying not to move much, every single movement he made caused his body to ache more. It was driving him up a wall, and it seemed like there wouldn't be an end to his shift. Until…

“Alright kids, snack time!” One security guard announced as others set up tables and chairs. "Grab your snacks from your backpacks and find a seat!” “YAAAAYYYY, SNACKTIME!” The kids squealed as they dropped their current toys and ran over to the cubbies.

“H-Huh, what?...” Sun groaned as he slowly sat up from within the middle of the ballpit. “S-Snacktime?... Ughhh, finally…”

He was grateful his schedule always included lunch, or ‘Snack Time’ as the kids called it, at the halfway point, so with most of the children distracted with their meals, now was the perfect time to slip away. As the security guards guided each kid to their designated spots for lunch, Sun stood up and slowly tiptoed over to their station desk, hoping to luck out and be escorted back to his room so he could relieve himself of the pain. But the instant he made it to the desk, he felt a tap on his shoulder. Sun grit his teeth before he turned his head to face whoever was trying to grab his attention.

“...What?” Sun snapped back at the guard before they could talk to him.

“-Jesus Sun, turn your volume down, you’re gonna freak the kids out with that attitude.” The guard warned him. “Listen, the kids have requested that you join them during Snack Time. You can try anything they offer you, ONLY if they offer anything to you.”

Sun’s teeth gritting stopped and he softly gasped. That’s right! The kids were always so generous with their treats! Cheesy animal crackers, fudgy brownies with sprinkles, mini blueberry muffins, shoestring chips, and those fruit snacks with the jelly inside, how could he resist? He quickly made his way over to the snack table and sat at the end, where they had reserved him a special seat. Since he towered over the children and the chairs were meant for them to sit in, his legs bowed out to the side when he sat down. His eyes immediately were drawn to the lunch bag of the children who sat next to him, staring hungrily at their food as they removed each item one by one from their bags.

CLICK CLICK…

Sun resisted the temptation to grab any of the food he saw, knowing that he wasn’t allowed to eat anything unless the kids gave him permission. But the pain he felt was practically unbearable to hide from the children, his smile slowly twitching from its highest position downward. He swore he could feel drool beginning to form at the corners of his mouth, like a dog waiting to be told to eat. His pupils shrunk as all of his attention was drawn to the food, his hands shaking in his lap, trying to keep them from touching anything.

CREEEAAKK…

It was becoming too much.

The pain was too much.

The headache was too much.

The back pain was too much.

. . .

“Mr. Sun?” One kid tried to get his attention by tapping him on the arm.

Sun turned his head rigidly and his pupils dilated as he turned his focus on what they were holding out for him. His expression lightened a bit as he noticed they were a little surprised at his appearance, and calmly tilted his head.

“We made this snack plate for you!” The kid offered Sun, smiling as all of the other children nodded and clapped. “Join us!”

He was in disbelief, a whole plate, just for him! Sun couldn’t help but smile warmly as he gently took the plate from the child and placed it right next to him. Finally, he could stop the pain once and for all and have enough energy to finish his shift! He scanned the plate to see what the kids had prepared for him; a little bit of everything, like every child had contributed to preparing his plate. He decided to start with the cheesy animal crackers, and he reached down to grab a couple, when…

“I WANNA TRY SOME!” one whiny child sitting next to him yelled, reaching over the table without much care, and smacked their hand on Sun’s snack plate. “GIMME GIMME!”

Someone touching HIS FOOD!? HIS. FOOD!?

Sun’s eyes darkened and his pupils glowed a dark red, his teeth curling into a snarl, a sharp scowl blanketing over his face as his programming tried desperately to override his actions, but his hunger was too severe to succumb to the override. With a swift and aggressive motion, he snatched the hand of the whiny child with his right hand and gripped it tight, causing their joints to crack.

“OWWWW!” the whiny kid cried out. “YOU’RE HURTING MEEEEE!”

“That’s MY plate- MY PLATE! DON’T TOUCH MY PLATE, OR YOU’RE IN TIME-OUT!” Sun barked. “I NEED TO EAT, YOU GOT THAT, RULEBREAKER!?”

. . .

“...Waaaahhhh!” the kid began to sob, pulling their hand away from Sun once he let go and holding it in their other hand. “You’re a meanie!” “SUN!” One of the security guards alerted him, the others quickly taking over chaperoning the lunch tables. “Come with me!”

Suddenly Sun was jerked from his seat by the head security guard by one of his sun rays, he stumbled standing up and struggled to keep his balance when his head was held so much lower than the rest of his body, like one would drag a child by their ear when they were in trouble. The child who he had grabbed was also led away to a nearby first-aid station in the daycare to make sure the injury to their arm wasn’t bleeding or didn’t leave a mark.

“Ooooo, Mr. Sun’s in trouble!” The other kids mocked, returning to their lunches once he was out of the area.

- - -

“-AGGHH -OOWWW! You’re pulling too hard!” Sun whimpered, the additional pain on top of the pain he was already in was too overwhelming to resist being dragged along.

“Are you out of your fucking mind!?” The guard scolded him, letting go of his sun ray once they had reached Parts and Service. “Do you have any idea what kind of lawsuit we could face if that child goes home and tells their parents that they don’t want to come to the Pizza Plex anymore because you hurt them!?”

“I-I-I didn’t mean to…” Sun stuttered, twiddling his thumbs. “I-I was just stressed, t-that’s all… I just couldn’t help it, I was so hungry I-”

“No fucking excuses, Sun!” The guard cut off his sentence. “I don’t get paid nearly enough to deal with your bullshit, okay? You HAVE to refuel at least once before your shift!... Look, if you’re really having trouble keeping yourself fed, we can just start cutting your work time short or even change the naptime schedule to start before your shift ends-”

‘-NO! No please!” Sun begged, even getting down on his knees and clasping his hands together. “Please please please don’t cut my hours! I don’t think I could stand spending even a minute less with those little angels! I-I’ll refuel on time, I’ll speak up for myself, I promise, PLEASE!”

. . .

CREEAAK WHIIIRRR CLICK CLICK!

Sun’s face glowed red with embarrassment.

“...Umm, heh heh, ouch… Mind giving me a hand now?...”

“...Urgghhh, fine…” the guard grumbled, finding a pack of cookies in a cabinet nearby and handing them to Sun. “Eat. We’ll sort out that kid’s incident report paperwork once your shift is over and the parents come to pick them up.”

Without hesitation, Sun snatched the cookie pack from their hands and ripped it open, wasting no time in shoving a few into his awaiting jaws. The cookie crumbs coated his tongue, and the brown sugar and the semi-sweet chocolate inside the cookies wrapped Sun’s whole head around the absolute ecstasy of delicious flavors he had been dying for. He couldn’t help but let out a small moan of pleasure as his motherboard translated the taste information in his mouth into emotional stimulation in his head, much to the dismay of the security guard. Once the cookies were sufficiently chewed, he swallowed the mouthful down to let the rest of his body take over processing the nutrients into fuel, which took no time at all since the demand for the refueling was quite high. In moments he felt an instant boost of energy, a lightening of his mood, and best of all, the fading away of the pain in his stomach.

“Mmmmm, oh man… I really needed that…” Sun sighed deeply, relaxing his shoulders. “...Thanks for helping me out, I… I should go say sorry to the child I hurt, I don’t want them to think I meant to do that…” “Yeah, probably for the best, but you should maybe refuel a bit more before returning to work.” The guard advised Sun. “You’ve probably burned through more energy than you should’ve, so the energy from that snack might not last the whole twelve hours.” “Ohh, good point.” Sun agreed. “Alright then, whatever you’ve got to offer, I’ll eat.”

- - -

After a bit under an hour, Sun and the security guard returned to the daycare through the massive double doors, where they saw one daycare substitute playing ‘Parachute’ with the kids. Once he was in their line of sight, they were pretty excited to see him return as most of them quickly dropped their corners of the parachute and ran over to give him a hug.

“SUN SUN SUN!” the children cheered. “Did you miss us!?” “Where did you go!?” “Did you die!?” “You missed snack time!”

“Hey everyone!” Sun answered back with glee. “Sorry about leaving you like that, I just got a little out of control and went to time-out, but I feel better now!”

“And now that you do, there’s someone here that is waiting for their apology.” One security guard announced, leading the child that Sun had injured, over to him. “Go on, Sun.”

Oh no…

Sun could see how crushed the kid’s face looked; they didn’t want to make eye contact with him, and were still sniffling from crying earlier. They had a band-aid on their arm where he had grabbed them, so it was obvious whatever damage he had done left a mark of some kind. The kid was clearly traumatized to an extent, and it was all Sun’s fault. He bent down to meet the eye level of the kid and held out his hands for the kid to take.

“I’m… I’m sorry I lost control and hurt you…” Sun apologized. “I shouldn’t have taken my frustration out on you, it wasn’t fair, and you didn’t deserve that… Can you… forgive me?...”

The child paused before giving Sun a hug back.

“...Okay.” the kid softly chuckled. “Wanna play house now?” Sun smiled wide. He was relieved that everything between them had been forgiven. He just hoped any future confrontation with this child’s parents once they read the incident report would go as smoothly as this apology. But for now, he had a job to do.

“House!? My favorite, sure!” he chuckled, taking their hand and skipping with everyone towards the playhouses. “Who wants to play the mommy and daddy?” “ME! ME! ME!” several children shouted, raising their hands for the part.

“Okay, this group will be the mommies and daddies, and this group will be their little angels!” Sun instructed. “And who should I be?”

The children took a moment to talk amongst themselves to come up with an answer.

“THE DOG!” they giggled, one of them pushing Sun down onto the floor, then on all fours. “-Whoa!” he stumbled, picking himself back up. “Umm, okay, I can play as the dog! Uhh, woof woof!”

“FEED THE DOG!” all the kids playing the children of the playhouses shouted, grabbing various snack pieces they had saved from Snack Time and ran over to Sun with them. “FEED HIM!” “-Wait, what-” Sun started before several pretzels were shoved into his mouth. “-Ommph!”

It was absolutely precious to him, the children had felt so bad for Sun that they worked together during Snack Time to make him a new snack plate, a little something from everyone. He had already eaten his fill in Parts and Service, but the children went out of their way to make it up to him, how could he say no?...

He couldn’t, he was playing the house dog, and the rules of house dog?

Eat anything they fed him.

- - -

The clock struck 7pm, it was time for the children who weren’t staying the night to head home, which today was surprisingly everyone, giving the boys the night off. Sun sighed in relief that his shift was over, which meant he could take the break his body needed, especially after going through such a tough few hours on low battery. He guided the children back to the backpack cubbies with a ‘Goodbye’ song, and got them ready to head home, the security guards handling the checkouts with incoming parents there to pick up their kids. One by one, each child met back up with their parents, many of them eager to relay the day they had to them, and hopefully keeping quiet about any trouble Sun caused one of them. Once every child was accounted for exiting, he made his way over to the ballpit, stepping into it a couple paces before turning around and letting himself fall flat backwards into the plastic balls. He let out a groan and shut his eyes, remembering that just because his time with daycare duty was over, his time of cleanup and maintenance began. But luckily he wouldn’t be doing this task alone. 

When his eyes reopened a couple minutes later, his gaze was met with Moon’s, who had just awoken from his sleep and descended from their room via the fly rig he had kept upstairs the whole time. Moon smiled cheekily at Sun’s expense as he hung upside down in front of him. He sometimes took a bit of pleasure seeing his sunny work partner in disarray as it was completely out of his character. He knew Sun had quite the stamina for handling the stress of a long day of caring for children, but even he had a limit, and seeing him cross that limit was amusing to him. Sun replied to Moon’s smile with a scowl, unimpressed with his lack of consideration with access to the fly rig.

“Y’know you could’ve done me a solid before my shift began, Moon.” Sun grumbled, lifting his head up to address him better.

“It’s not my fault they didn’t feed you during your tune-up~” Moon chastised. “You should’ve spoken up and told them you were low.”

“I forgot, okay!?” Sun barked, plastic balls scattering around him when he lunged up and forward to be face to face with Moon. “Just- Help me with cleaning the daycare up for tomorrow, please? I’m… tired…”

“Hehehehe… Very well~” Moon chuckled, fiddling with Sun’s face rays. “Just give me a moment to prepare.”

“...Alright.” Sun sighed, standing back up and removing any plastic balls stuck in his pockets. “...Wait, you’ve had all day to yourself! What could you possibly need to do NOW to prepare!?”

CREEEAAK CLICK CLICK!

Sun stared at him in disbelief. No, he didn’t!

“I need to refuel!~” Moon sang as he ascended back up to their room via the fly rig attached to his back.

“MOOOOON!” Sun angrily yelled and stomped his feet. “GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW AND DO YOUR JOB!”

[sexybritishllama]

lol so apparently my manager is retiring like two weeks after im leaving (clearly just can’t cope without me) and this is particularly funny because we’re the only two people who know how to actually schedule exams on one of our central software services. sorry for your loss of two load bearing staff members at once, now one of you need to sacrifice yourself and learn how this terribly designed software we allegedly support works before the entire uni caves in

[inqorporeal]

My former boss (not the most recent one, alas, but the guy I worked for before that) passed last week. I'm not sure of the causes, but he was in his upper 70s and had grown increasingly debilitated in the year and a half I worked with him. I have a feeling it was the incredible amount of stress and the toll I saw it taking on his health.

It really feels like the end of an era. Bob worked in the picture framing industry longer than I've been alive. The shop he ran wouldn't have been out of place in the 90's -- the only things it had over the place I first worked at right out of high school were wifi and a computer wheezing along on Windows Vista. I did my best to upgrade the place, but there was only so much I could do, and Bob hated when they offered him a new computer which would actually be able to access most 2024 websites (the Vista beast was on its last legs and the HARDWARE wasn't good enough to install the SOFTWARE required for even Gmail to run).

The guy who owned that chain of shops (not the original owner) couldn't get rid of Bob -- he was too essential -- but he was happy to underpay anyone Bob hired on. As a result, there's literally nobody to replace him at that shop. Even I left because I couldn't afford to work for them at those rates, when Bob wanted me to replace him. I felt bad about that move, but I know it was the right thing to do for myself at the time.

This is an endemic situation in independent and small chain framing shops. The cost of running the business; the increasing prices they have to charge to manage that; and the prices people are willing or able to pay for a good framing job -- are all in conflict. Nobody was hiring skilled workers when I started hunting earlier this year. Not that they weren't willing to offer a decent wage; they weren't hiring, period. Most places I talked to said they couldn't afford to hire extra staff, even though the owners were getting towards retirement.

The framing industry is dying. Bob wasn't even granted the chance to retire gracefully and spend more time with his grandkids, and it makes me furious.

I learned a lot from you, Bob, and think of you kindly.

[jobyoda-philippines]

Exploring Career and Job Opportunities in Davao City Philippines

Davao City, recognized as one of the Philippines' most progressive cities, continues to experience remarkable economic growth, creating a vibrant job market that attracts professionals from across the country. The city's diverse economy offers numerous employment opportunities, from entry-level positions to executive roles, making it an attractive destination for job seekers at all career stages.

The Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) sector stands as one of the largest employers in Davao City, providing thousands of jobs across various specializations. Companies in this sector actively recruit customer service representatives, technical support specialists, and quality assurance analysts, offering competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages. The industry's continued expansion has created numerous opportunities for career advancement, with many organizations promoting from within and providing extensive training programs.

Part-time employment opportunities have also flourished in Davao City, catering to students, professionals seeking additional income, and individuals preferring flexible work arrangements. The retail sector, food service industry, and education field offer numerous part-time positions with varying schedules and responsibilities. These roles often provide valuable work experience and can serve as stepping stones to full-time careers.

The Information Technology sector in Davao has seen significant growth, with many companies seeking software developers, web designers, and IT support specialists. This growth has been fueled by the city's improving technological infrastructure and the increasing number of tech-focused businesses establishing operations in the region. Tech professionals can find opportunities in both established companies and startups, with many positions offering competitive compensation and the possibility of remote work arrangements.

Davao's hospitality and tourism industry continues to expand, creating jobs in hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and tour operations. The sector offers positions ranging from entry-level service roles to management positions, with many employers providing training and development opportunities. The industry's growth has also sparked demand for professionals in events management and tourism marketing.

The education sector presents numerous opportunities for both full-time and part-time employment. Educational institutions regularly seek teachers, tutors, and administrative staff. The rise of online learning has created additional opportunities for English language teachers and academic consultants who can work flexible hours from home or teaching centers.

Job hiring  in Davao, the digital economy has opened new avenues for employment. E-commerce specialists, digital content creators, and social media managers are in high demand as businesses increasingly establish their online presence. These positions often offer the flexibility of remote work while providing competitive compensation packages.

Professional development resources are readily available in Davao City, with numerous institutions offering skills training programs and industry certifications. Job seekers can access career counseling services, resume writing assistance, and interview coaching through various employment support organizations. These resources prove invaluable in helping candidates prepare for and secure desired positions.

The financial services sector in Davao has also experienced substantial growth, creating opportunities for banking professionals, insurance specialists, and investment consultants. These positions typically offer attractive compensation packages, including performance bonuses and health benefits, making them highly sought after by experienced professionals.

Davao's agricultural sector continues to evolve, combining traditional farming with modern agribusiness practices. This has created opportunities for agricultural technologists, food processing specialists, and supply chain professionals. The sector offers both technical and management positions, with many companies providing specialized training and development programs.

For those entering Davao's job market, proper preparation is essential. Successful job seekers typically maintain updated resumes, prepare comprehensive portfolios, and stay informed about industry developments. Professional networking, both online and offline, plays a crucial role in discovering opportunities and advancing careers in the city.

The future of Davao's job market looks promising, with emerging industries creating new employment opportunities. The city's commitment to economic development, coupled with its strategic location and robust infrastructure, continues to attract businesses and investors, ensuring a steady stream of job opportunities for qualified candidates.

Whether seeking full-time employment or part-time job in Davao City offers a diverse range of opportunities across multiple industries. Success in this dynamic job market often comes to those who combine proper preparation with continuous skill development and effective networking. As the city continues to grow and evolve, its job market remains a beacon of opportunity for professionals seeking to build meaningful careers in Mindanao's premier business hub.

[stuarttechnologybob]

What are Optimal Character Recognition (OCR) Services?

OCR Outsourcing Services

Optical Character Recognition is a technology and resource that converts various types of documents—such as scanned and printed paper documents and sheets, PDFs, or images and physical documents captured and scanned by a digital camera or device—into editable and searchable data of information. OCR Outsourcing refers to hiring third-party experts to handle these processes, making data management more efficient and cost-effective for businesses.

How Do OCR Services Work?

OCR technology scans printed or handwritten text and translates it into digital characters using pattern recognition and machine learning. Once the data is converted, it can be edited, searched, and stored electronically. This is especially useful and beneficial for the businesses that manage and hold a high volume of paper records or image-based files as raw source data.

Key Benefits of OCR Outsourcing -

Faster Data Processing:

By outsourcing OCR services, businesses can process large volumes of data significantly faster than they can do in-house. Professional experts leverage tools and advanced resources and employ trained professionals to assure the prompt turnaround times and processing for faster data proceedings and operations.

Improved Accuracy:

High-quality OCR Outsourcing providers use AI-driven tools and resources that minimize and lower down the errors. As this guarantees that the captured data is examined up to as precise as possible, lowering the demand for manual corrections and errors.

Cost Efficiency:

Maintaining and leveraging in-house source OCR setup can be expensive and costly. As the outsourcing eliminates the demand for costly software and system, infrastructure, and specialized staff, offering a more affordable option for ongoing needs and business demands.

Better Data Organization:

OCR Outsourcing makes it easier to store and retrieve data as scanned documents become searchable. While this is quite helpful and considerable for industries such as healthcare, law, finance, and logistics.

Scalability:

Whether you need to process a few documents or thousands, outsourcing partners can scale their services to match your demand without affecting quality or delivery speed. Companies and professional experts such as Suma Soft, IBM, Cyntexa, and Cignex are known for offering reliable OCR Outsourcing services. They aid businesses to simplify the data capture process, lower down the workload, and improve the operational efficiency by handling document digitization with precision and care. Choosing a trusted partner ensures high-quality results and seamless data management. They combine technology, skilled teams, and secure processes to deliver high-quality OCR results tailored and personalized as per the settings of different industries and business sizes.

[sstechsystemofficial]

Trusted outsource software development teams - SSTech System

Outsource software development is the practice of relinquishing software-related duties to outside singularities or organizations. Outsourcing is used by firms to acquire software services and products from outside firms that do not have direct employees or employees under contract to the business entity that is outsourcing.

Infect, the outsourcing market worldwide is projected to grow by 8.28% (2025-2029) resulting in a market volume of US$812.70bn in 2029. This model is highly versatile and suits businesses of all sizes.

Start-ups often use outsourcing to develop MVPs quickly, while established companies might seek custom software development services or AI outsourcing services to address complex challenges. Outsourcing can include working with offshore development teams, global software development partners, or local experts like Australian software development experts for specific projects.

The benefits of outsourcing software development

Outsourcing has become a cornerstone for modern businesses due to its numerous advantages. Here’s a closer look at the key benefits:

1. Cost efficiency

Perhaps the biggest incentive for sourcing solutions from outsourcing service providers is the cost cutting factor. For instance, offshore software development in India provides expertise services at comparatively lower cost than that of in-house developed services in Western countries. This efficiency enable the enactments of cost savings in some other strategic sectors of the organization.

2. Access to global talent

Outsourcing can help to discover the wealth of new talents as well as the skills of professionals from other countries. No matter Whether it’s AI and machine learning integration, web application development in Australia, or outsourced healthcare software development, businesses can find experts in virtually any domain.

3. Scalability and flexibility

Outsourcing offers flexibility that is unparalleled in many organizations today. This is because; firms are able to expand and contract particular teams depending on the specific demand in projects. For example, outsourced IT solutions help business organizations prepare for different conditions while not having to employ permanent workers.

4. Faster time-to-market

With reliable software development teams in Australia or offshore development teams in India, businesses can speed up their project timelines. This helps innovations to make it through to the market early enough, which is useful for companies.

5. Focus on core activities

By delegating tasks like software maintenance and support or cloud software development in Australia to outsourcing partners, businesses can focus on their core competencies and strategic goals.

6. Reduced risk

In-house staff and trained outsourcing partners come with best practices, methods and procedures which when implemented reduce the chances of project hitch. Working with the top-rated IT outsourcing companies in Australia gives you confidence that your project is in safe hands.

Choosing the right outsourced software development partner

In the period from 2023 to 2027, the revenue of software outsourcing is forecasted to thrive at a CAGR of 7.54%. So, outsourcing partner selection is one of the most vital components since it determines the success of a given venture. Here are essential factors to consider:

1. Technical expertise

Check the partner’s competency and his knowledge of the field.  For instance, SSTech System Outsourcing offers comprehensive solutions, from AI development services in India to mobile app development outsourcing in Australia.

2. Proven track record

Look for partners with a strong portfolio and positive client testimonials. A proven track record in delivering custom software development services or managing outsourcing software development contracts is a good indicator of reliability.

3. Effective communication

Effective and open communication is extremely important if the project is to be successful. Work with people who give frequent reports and employ efficient media to overcome the differences in time areas.

4. Cultural compatibility

There has to be a cultural match or at least appreciation for each other’s customs for there to be harmony in the working relationship. As such, staffed with proficient Australia software development experts or offshore development teams, whose experience is to work on global markets can coordinate and blend well with your work culture.

5. Security and compliance

You have to make sure that your partner complies with the standards and the policies that are in the industry. This is especially substantial for all information-sensitive projects such as outsourced healthcare software development or cloud software development in Australia.

6. Scalable infrastructure

Choose a partner capable of scaling their resources and infrastructure to meet your project’s evolving needs. This is crucial for long-term collaborations, especially with global software development partners.

AI-powered tools for outsourced development teams

According to a report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, software development ranks among the most sought-after professions. Hence, AI is at the forefront of reshaping the outsourcing industry. Therefore, the implementation of artificial intelligence will add value to business processes, make workflow easier, and boost the results of projects. Here are some examples:

1. Automated code reviews

Tools like DeepCode and SonarQube assist outsourced teams in detecting whether errors reside in the code line or not, and whether code needs to be enriched or not. This is particularly accurate concerning AI outsourcing and in-house development industries.

2. Predictive analytics

Automated analytics tools can predict such things as the time it will take to complete the project, how much money it will cost, and what risks are possible in a software development outsourcing scenario.

3. Smart project management

Tools and platforms such as Jira and Monday.com, when empowered with AI, allow the coordination of tasks and the tracking of progress and resource allocation.

4. AI collaboration tools

Communication and collaboration with internal members and offshore software development Australia partners get facilitated through applications that include, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and zoom with integrated AI functions.

5. Natural Language Processing (NLP)

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants simplify communication and issue resolution, making them valuable for managing outsourced IT solutions.

Best practices for managing outsourced development teams

Outsourced teams should be mandated and coordinated following a number of recommendations to ensure the efficiency of the entirety of the outsourcing process.

Here are the best practices to ensure your project’s success:

1. Set clear objectives

Make it clear to your project team, stakeholders, and other relevant parties what the parameters of the project are, what it is that you expect out of it, and what you expect to get from it in return. This fostaines consistency between your team and the outsourcing partner to increase efficiency in service delivery.

2. Choose the right tools

Use project tracking and collaboration software approaches to track and evaluate progress and meet regular informality and collaboration targets.

3. Foster a collaborative environment

It is worthy of note that constant communication is key to ensuring that your outsourcing team is on the same page with you. Fresh produce and feedback mechanisms need to be provided in order for there to be trust as is needed in project management.

4. Draft comprehensive contracts

There should be a comprehensive outsourcing software development contract. It should address issues to do with confidentiality, ownership of ideas and concepts, plea structure and mode of handling disputes.

5. Focus on long-term relationships

Building a long-term partnership with trusted providers like SSTech System Solutions can lead to consistent quality and better project outcomes.

Conclusion

To keep up with technology, outsourcing software development offers businesses solutions and support that can enable the creation of complex solutions out of mere ideas. Outsourcing has the benefits of minute overhead cost and is also a rich source of globally talented employees, and it offers the advantage of early time to market. Whether you’re looking for mobile app development outsourcing in Australia or seeking offshore software development in India or opting for AI outsourcing services, the potential is huge.

Such companies can only benefit from opting for reliable outsourcing companies such as SSTech System Outsourcing and embracing industry best practices to promote the success of business project implementations while enhancing market relevance. As technologies like AI and cloud computing are still changing the face of the outsourcing market, software development outsourcing will still be important for any company that wants to survive in a digital world.

Take the first step today—partner with global software development partners and unlock the full potential of your ideas with the power of outsourcing.

[mariacallous]

Elon Musk will not be fully exiting the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—and its activities are only intensifying. On Friday, President Donald Trump threw cold water on the idea that Musk would fully disappear from DOGE and the White House forever. "Elon's really not leaving,” Trump said in a joint press conference with Musk in the Oval Office. “He's gonna be back and forth. It's his baby, he's going to be doing a lot of things."

“I expect to continue to provide advice," Musk, wearing a black hat with DOGE written on it and a black shirt reading “DOGEFATHER,” said during Friday's press conference, while noting that his legal limit for service as a special government employee was coming to an end. "I expect to remain a friend and an advisor.”

Federal workers from at least six agencies tell WIRED that DOGE-style work is escalating in their departments.

Both new and familiar DOGE faces have also been recently detailed to new agencies, according to sources. Members of Musk’s early DOGE team, including Luke Farritor, Gavin Kliger, Edward Coristine, and Sam Corcos, have met with a number of departments and agencies—including the Treasury, the Office of Management and Budget, and the FBI—in recent days, seemingly continuing business as usual, WIRED has learned.

The team also appears to be actively recruiting, according to documents viewed by WIRED.

Over the last week, federal workers have also been asked to urgently review and potentially cancel contracts across the government. Trump appeared to confirm that contracts were under review at Friday’s press conference: "Many contracts, Elon, right now are being looked at,” he said.

Some agencies have also received visits from DOGE at their headquarters, WIRED has learned.

“This doesn’t sound like a group that is going away, it sounds like one that’s digging in like a parasite,” an IT specialist at the Department of Agriculture (USDA) tells WIRED.

Since DOGE first began its work in Washington in late January, its representatives have been eager to cut what they see as superfluous spending in government. In recent weeks, the pressure to slash and cancel contracts, specifically focused on workforce management and IT, has drastically increased, multiple sources at a variety of agencies tell WIRED.

“Biggest thing is we are being asked to cut as many contracts for software and labor as possible,” one tech worker at the Department of the Interior (DOI) tells WIRED, saying that the stated goal, as they understand it, has been “to save money and efficiency in consolidated IT.”

“We are cutting developers, telecom, server admins, call center staff etc.,” the DOI source says. “Some things were bloated and could use the cut. Others are going to suffer, and our service to the public is going to be degraded.”Got a Tip?Do you know anything about these dinners and meetings? We'd like to hear from you. Using a nonwork phone or computer, contact the reporters securely on Signal at makenakelly.32, leahfeiger.86, and zoeschiffer.87.

Employees at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and all the agencies under its umbrella, were told that contracts would have to go through a new approval process called the Departmental Efficiency Review (DER). Any requisitioning or contract approval is paused until after workers submit a form to start the DER and the deputy secretary’s office reviews the funding, according to an email about the process obtained by WIRED. The email also states that the review will flag any contracts that appear to be expensive and excessive.

Urgent contract oversight is also occurring at the Department of Labor (DOL). “There is a LOT of pressure to end these contracts as soon as possible, within the next few days,” a source at the DOL told WIRED on Thursday.

At other agencies, like the USDA and the Treasury, some tech workers were recently notified that they may be asked to interview with someone at DOGE for an unspecified reason. “Just last week we were warned of possible contact from DOGE for interviews,” the USDA IT source says, adding that no one told workers what the interviews would be about. At Treasury, employees were told those who perform “some of the more technical functions” would be pulled into these interviews.

Tech contractors at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), one of the first agencies DOGE burrowed into, were suddenly let go after returning from the long Memorial Day weekend. Their termination letters credited DOGE with their dismissal.

“The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM), under the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has modified the IT services contract with RMCI [an IT contractor] that you support,” the termination letters say. “As a result, it is with regret that your work on the OPM contract will end.”

During Friday’s press conference, Trump gifted Musk what appeared to be a golden key in a box that had a picture of the White House, thanking him for his last few months of government work.

“DOGE is integral to the federal government’s operations, and its mission, as established by the President’s executive order, will continue under the direction of agency and department heads in the Trump administration,” White House spokesperson Harrison Fields tells WIRED. “DOGE has delivered remarkable results at an unprecedented pace, and its work is far from complete.”

United States DOGE Service administrator Amy Gleason did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

“Elon may be stepping away, but DOGE’s mission remains stronger than ever. Exposing reckless, wasteful government spending isn’t about one individual—it’s about a lasting overhaul of Crazy Town,” congressman Aaron Bean, chair of the House DOGE caucus, tells WIRED about the group’s continued work. “From reducing fraudulent payments by reforming the Treasury payment system to modernizing federal processes, like the OPM retirement system, the House DOGE Caucus is working to codify targeted spending cuts to rein in government overreach and deliver real accountability to the American people. We are also working closely with the White House to ensure recession packages reflect DOGE’s critical findings—turning transparency into action. Rest assured, the House DOGE Caucus is here for the long haul, and our work is just getting started.”

[hasinichamalka]

Sabaragamuwa University: Where Education Meets Tranquility and Innovation

Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka (SUSL) is a renowned public university located in the scenic town of Belihuloya, Balangoda. Established in 1991 and officially recognized as a full university in 1995, SUSL has grown into a hub of academic excellence, research, and community development.

🌿 Campus & Environment

Nestled amidst the lush greenery of Sri Lanka’s central highlands, the university offers a peaceful and inspiring environment ideal for learning and research. The natural surroundings not only support academic activities but also provide a calming atmosphere for students and staff.

🎓 Academic Structure

SUSL consists of several faculties, each focusing on specialized fields of study:

Faculty of Agricultural Sciences – Focused on modern agricultural practices and innovation.

Faculty of Applied Sciences – Offers diverse programs in environmental science and technology.

Faculty of Geomatics – Specializes in surveying, mapping, and geospatial technologies.

Faculty of Management Studies – Provides business and management education.

Faculty of Social Sciences & Languages – Focuses on human behavior, societies, and languages.

Faculty of Medicine – Aims to develop skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.

Faculty of Graduate Studies – Coordinates all postgraduate programs across faculties.

Faculty of Computing – Offers cutting-edge programs in Computer Science, Software Engineering, and Information Systems, preparing students for careers in the digital world.

Faculty of Technology – Focuses on technological education, integrating theory with hands-on experience in fields like Engineering Technology and Biosystems Technology.

🔬 Research & Innovation

SUSL is committed to advancing knowledge through impactful research. It supports interdisciplinary research, encourages innovation, and works with industry partners to bring new ideas to life. The university also values indigenous knowledge and promotes blending traditional wisdom with modern scientific practices.

🌐 Community Engagement & Outreach

The university actively contributes to society through various outreach initiatives. It offers distance learning opportunities, conducts career guidance programs, and supports local development through education and awareness campaigns. These efforts reflect SUSL’s mission to make higher education more inclusive and meaningful.

🏅 Student Life & Extracurriculars

Student life at SUSL is vibrant and enriching. The university supports a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sports, cultural events, and student-led clubs. Participation in national university games and inter-university events helps foster teamwork, leadership, and holistic development.

For more information, visit the official SUSL website.

[masllp]

Online Bookkeeping Services by Mercurius & Associates LLP

In today’s fast-paced digital economy, accurate and efficient financial management is crucial for every business. Whether you're a startup, small enterprise, or a growing company, keeping track of your finances is vital for sustainability and success. That’s where Mercurius & Associates LLP steps in with its online bookkeeping services — blending technology, expertise, and reliability to manage your books with precision.

Why Bookkeeping Matters

Bookkeeping is the foundation of any business’s financial health. It involves recording, classifying, and organizing all financial transactions so that businesses can:

Monitor their financial position

Ensure regulatory compliance

Make informed decisions

File accurate tax returns

Plan for growth and investment

Yet, many businesses struggle to keep up with bookkeeping due to time constraints, lack of in-house expertise, or outdated processes.

Benefits of Online Bookkeeping Services

Online bookkeeping is a game-changer for modern businesses. It offers:

Real-time access to financial data

Cloud-based solutions for anytime, anywhere access

Cost-effective services compared to in-house staff

Scalability as your business grows

Increased accuracy through automated tools

Secure data storage with regular backups

By outsourcing bookkeeping to professionals, businesses can focus more on core operations while ensuring their books are in order.

Why Choose Mercurius & Associates LLP?

At Mercurius & Associates LLP, we specialize in providing online bookkeeping services tailored to your business needs. Here’s what sets us apart:

1. Experienced Professionals

Our team comprises skilled accountants and finance experts who understand the nuances of bookkeeping across industries. We ensure compliance with Indian and international accounting standards.

2. Customized Solutions

We understand that no two businesses are the same. Our bookkeeping services are tailored to suit your industry, size, and specific requirements.

3. Technology-Driven Approach

We leverage cloud-based platforms like QuickBooks, Zoho Books, Xero, and Tally for seamless and accurate bookkeeping. Integration with your existing systems is quick and hassle-free.

4. Transparent Reporting

You receive regular financial reports that help you track performance, manage cash flow, and plan strategically. Our detailed reports include profit and loss statements, balance sheets, and cash flow summaries.

5. Data Security

We implement best-in-class data protection protocols to ensure your financial information is secure and confidential.

Services We Offer

Daily, weekly, or monthly transaction recording

Bank and credit card reconciliation

Accounts payable and receivable management

General ledger maintenance

Payroll processing support

GST return preparation and filing

Financial reporting and analysis

Industries We Serve

Our online bookkeeping services are ideal for:

Startups & Entrepreneurs

E-commerce Businesses

Healthcare Professionals

Legal Firms

Retail & Wholesale Businesses

IT & Software Companies

NGOs and Trusts

Get Started with Mercurius & Associates LLP

Outsourcing your bookkeeping doesn’t mean losing control. With Mercurius & Associates LLP, you gain a partner who brings clarity, accuracy, and efficiency to your financial operations.

Let us handle your books while you focus on growing your business.

📞 Contact us today to learn more about our online bookkeeping services or to request a free consultation.

[societ1]

Nonprofit Software: A Key to Efficient Mission Management

Nonprofit organizations operate in a challenging environment where maximizing impact is essential while keeping administrative costs low. Managing donations, volunteers, events, and operational workflows can be overwhelming without the right tools. Nonprofit software has emerged as a vital solution, tailored to address the specific needs of mission-driven organizations. These tools streamline operations, enhance donor engagement, and ultimately help nonprofits achieve their goals more effectively.

In this article, we’ll explore the types, benefits, and future of nonprofit software, shedding light on how it empowers organizations to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

What is Nonprofit Software?

Nonprofit software refers to digital tools and platforms specifically designed to help nonprofits manage their operations efficiently. Unlike generic software, nonprofit-specific tools address core needs such as donor relationship management, fundraising, volunteer coordination, grant tracking, and financial reporting. With features tailored to their unique challenges, nonprofits can save time, optimize resources, and focus on their missions.

Types of Nonprofit Software

Donor Management Software Also known as nonprofit CRM (Customer Relationship Management), donor management software helps organizations track donor interactions, manage contributions, and personalize engagement. Tools like Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, and Little Green Light simplify donor retention and make campaigns more effective.

Fundraising Software Platforms like Classy, Givebutter, and Fundly empower nonprofits to create online fundraising campaigns, process donations, and analyze results. Peer-to-peer fundraising, recurring donations, and mobile giving features enhance the donor experience.

Volunteer Management Tools Managing volunteers is essential for many nonprofits. Tools like VolunteerHub and SignUpGenius streamline recruitment, scheduling, and communication, ensuring an organized and engaged volunteer base.

Grant Management Software Grant tracking tools such as Foundant or Submittable help nonprofits identify funding opportunities, submit applications, and manage deadlines and compliance, improving the chances of securing vital grants.

Accounting and Financial Management Software Nonprofits need tools to maintain transparency and manage budgets. Accounting software like QuickBooks for Nonprofits or Aplos ensures accurate reporting, proper fund allocation, and regulatory compliance.

Event Management Software Nonprofits often rely on events to engage supporters and raise funds. Tools like Eventbrite or Cvent simplify event planning, ticketing, and attendee management, creating seamless experiences for donors and participants.

Benefits of Nonprofit Software

Operational Efficiency Nonprofit software automates routine tasks such as data entry, reporting, and communication, allowing staff to focus on mission-critical activities.

Improved Donor Relationships With donor management tools, nonprofits can personalize outreach, track giving history, and maintain strong relationships that increase donor retention.

Transparency and Accountability Financial and grant management tools ensure that nonprofits comply with regulations and demonstrate transparency to stakeholders, boosting credibility.

Better Decision-Making Analytics and reporting features provide valuable insights into campaign performance, donor behavior, and operational efficiency, enabling data-driven decisions.

Scalability As nonprofits grow, software solutions can scale to accommodate larger donor bases, expanded programs, and increasing complexity.

Challenges of Implementing Nonprofit Software

While nonprofit software offers significant benefits, organizations may face challenges, including:

Budget Constraints: Even with nonprofit discounts, advanced tools can strain limited budgets.

Learning Curve: Staff and volunteers may require training to use the software effectively.

Integration Issues: Ensuring new tools work seamlessly with existing systems can be complex.

Data Security: Protecting sensitive donor and organizational data is crucial and requires robust security measures.

Organizations should evaluate their specific needs, select user-friendly tools, and partner with providers offering support and training to overcome these challenges.

Future of Nonprofit Software

The future of nonprofit software lies in innovation and technology integration. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already being used to predict donor behavior, optimize outreach, and analyze trends. Blockchain technology is enhancing transparency in donation tracking, while virtual reality (VR) is creating immersive experiences to engage donors. These advancements will further empower nonprofits to achieve their missions efficiently and effectively.

Conclusion

Nonprofit software is transforming the way mission-driven organizations operate. From donor management and fundraising to financial tracking and volunteer coordination, these tools address the unique challenges nonprofits face. By adopting the right software solutions, organizations can save time, optimize resources, and focus on what truly matters—making a difference in the world.

As technology continues to evolve, nonprofit software will remain a cornerstone of effective mission management, helping organizations thrive in a rapidly changing environment. For nonprofits seeking to maximize their impact, investing in the right software is not just an option—it’s a necessity.

[panashifzco]

Why Self-Service Kiosks Are the Future of Hospitality and Retail !!

The retail and hospitality industries are constantly evolving to meet the demands of modern consumers. As businesses strive for efficiency, convenience and improved customer experience, self-service kiosks have emerged as a game-changing solution. From quick-service restaurants to retail stores and hotels, kiosks are revolutionizing how customers interact with businesses, making transactions smoother, reducing wait times and enhancing overall satisfaction.

The Growing Demand for Self-Service Solutions

With the rise of digital transformation, consumers now expect seamless, tech-driven interactions in every aspect of their lives. Self-service kiosks address this demand by providing :

Speed and Efficiency – Customers can place orders, check-in or make payments quickly without waiting in long lines.

Reduced Labor Costs – Businesses can optimize staff allocation, reducing operational expenses while maintaining quality service.

Enhanced Customer Experience – Customizable interfaces and multilingual support ensure a smooth and personalized experience for diverse audiences.

Improved Accuracy – Self-service kiosks eliminate human errors in order placement, payment processing, and service requests.

How Kiosks Are Transforming Retail Retailers are integrating self-service kiosks to streamline operations and improve shopping experiences. Some key benefits include:

Faster Checkout – Self-checkout kiosks minimize congestion at traditional cash registers, reducing wait times.

In-Store Navigation & Product Lookup – Customers can quickly locate products and access real-time stock availability.

Loyalty Program Integration – Kiosks enable customers to register for rewards programs, check points, and redeem offers effortlessly.

Seamless Omnichannel Experience – Integration with e-commerce platforms allows customers to order online and pick up in-store.

Upselling and Cross-Selling Opportunities – Kiosks can suggest complementary products or promotions based on customer preferences.

The Impact of Kiosks in Hospitality In the hospitality industry, self-service kiosks are redefining guest experiences by offering:

Faster Hotel Check-Ins and Check-Outs – Guests can skip front desk lines and access rooms with digital keys.

Self-Ordering at Restaurants – Quick-service and fast-casual restaurants use kiosks to enhance order accuracy and speed.

Automated Ticketing and Reservations – Kiosks streamline the process for theme parks, movie theaters and travel agencies.

Personalized Customer Interactions – AI-powered kiosks can recommend services, upgrades, or add-ons based on customer preferences.

Multi-Functionality – Kiosks can serve as concierge services, providing guests with local recommendations and travel assistance.

The Future of Self-Service Kiosks The future of self-service kiosks is driven by technological advancements, including:

AI and Machine Learning – Personalized recommendations and predictive analytics will enhance user engagement.

Contactless and Mobile Integration – NFC payments and mobile app connectivity will further simplify transactions.

Biometric Authentication – Facial recognition and fingerprint scanning will improve security and user convenience.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Kiosks – Digital receipts and energy-efficient designs will support environmental initiatives.

Cloud-Based Management – Remote monitoring and software updates will enable seamless kiosk operations.

Voice-Activated Interfaces – Enhancing accessibility for all users, including those with disabilities.

Conclusion Self-service kiosks are no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. As the retail and hospitality industries continue to evolve, adopting kiosk technology will be key to staying competitive and meeting the ever-growing expectations of tech-savvy consumers.

What are your thoughts on the future of self-service kiosks? Share your insights in the comments below!

[johnyqt]

Week 1: Introduction to Software Design and Engineering

January 13-17, 2025

This week marked the start of our Software Design and Engineering course. Our first session was on Monday, where our instructor introduced the course, outlining expectations and objectives for the semester. Afterward, we were divided into teams, and I chose to collaborate with my former classmates. Our first task was to brainstorm project ideas that leverage technology to solve real-world problems while also having business potential.

Exploring Project Ideas

One of our initial ideas was an Order Queueing Web App for internet cafes. We recognized a common issue—gamers often need to pause their game to place food orders, which can be disruptive for them and inefficient for the staff. Our proposed solution was a web app that allows customers to browse the menu and place orders directly from their gaming stations, with real-time notifications sent to the cashier to ensure a seamless experience.

We also considered a Job Hunting Website, but we soon realized that its broad scope would be difficult to manage within our timeframe. After further discussion, we pivoted to a more practical option: a Smart Inventory Management System for Small Businesses. This system would enable businesses to monitor inventory in real time, receive alerts for low stock, generate sales analytics, and automate reports—effectively addressing common challenges like overstocking, shortages, and inefficient tracking.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To better understand user needs, we conducted interviews with potential users. We visited Virtual Grounds, an internet cafe, to observe how customers and staff handled food orders. Additionally, we stopped by Minute Burger, a burger shop, to learn about inventory management challenges. These interviews provided us with valuable insights and helped refine our proposed solutions.

During class, we presented both project ideas. After discussing their feasibility and impact, we officially decided to move forward with the Smart Inventory Management System as our final project. It stood out as a more practical and scalable solution, with a clear market need and strong alignment with our course objectives.

With the first week behind us, we’re eager to dive into the planning and development phase. Excited for what’s next!