#vendor and third-party management software

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Microsoft pinky swears that THIS TIME they’ll make security a priority

One June 20, I'm live onstage in LOS ANGELES for a recording of the GO FACT YOURSELF podcast. On June 21, I'm doing an ONLINE READING for the LOCUS AWARDS at 16hPT. On June 22, I'll be in OAKLAND, CA for a panel and a keynote at the LOCUS AWARDS.

As the old saying goes, "When someone tells you who they are and you get fooled again, shame on you." That goes double for Microsoft, especially when it comes to security promises.

Microsoft is, was, always has been, and always will be a rotten company. At every turn, throughout their history, they have learned the wrong lessons, over and over again.

That starts from the very earliest days, when the company was still called "Micro-Soft." Young Bill Gates was given a sweetheart deal to supply the operating system for IBM's PC, thanks to his mother's connection. The nepo-baby enlisted his pal, Paul Allen (whom he'd later rip off for billions) and together, they bought someone else's OS (and took credit for creating it – AKA, the "Musk gambit").

Microsoft then proceeded to make a fortune by monopolizing the OS market through illegal, collusive arrangements with the PC clone industry – an industry that only existed because they could source third-party PC ROMs from Phoenix:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/08/ibm-pc-compatible-how-adversarial-interoperability-saved-pcs-monopolization

Bill Gates didn't become one of the richest people on earth simply by emerging from a lucky orifice; he also owed his success to vigorous antitrust enforcement. The IBM PC was the company's first major initiative after it was targeted by the DOJ for a 12-year antitrust enforcement action. IBM tapped its vast monopoly profits to fight the DOJ, spending more on outside counsel to fight the DOJ antitrust division than the DOJ spent on all its antitrust lawyers, every year, for 12 years.

IBM's delaying tactic paid off. When Reagan took the White House, he let IBM off the hook. But the company was still seriously scarred by its ordeal, and when the PC project kicked off, the company kept the OS separate from the hardware (one of the DOJ's major issues with IBM's previous behavior was its vertical monopoly on hardware and software). IBM didn't hire Gates and Allen to provide it with DOS because it was incapable of writing a PC operating system: they did it to keep the DOJ from kicking down their door again.

The post-antitrust, gunshy IBM kept delivering dividends for Microsoft. When IBM turned a blind eye to the cloned PC-ROM and allowed companies like Compaq, Dell and Gateway to compete directly with Big Blue, this produced a whole cohort of customers for Microsoft – customers Microsoft could play off on each other, ensuring that every PC sold generated income for Microsoft, creating a wide moat around the OS business that kept other OS vendors out of the market. Why invest in making an OS when every hardware company already had an exclusive arrangement with Microsoft?

The IBM PC story teaches us two things: stronger antitrust enforcement spurs innovation and opens markets for scrappy startups to grow to big, important firms; as do weaker IP protections.

Microsoft learned the opposite: monopolies are wildly profitable; expansive IP protects monopolies; you can violate antitrust laws so long as you have enough monopoly profits rolling in to outspend the government until a Republican bootlicker takes the White House (Microsoft's antitrust ordeal ended after GW Bush stole the 2000 election and dropped the charges against them). Microsoft embodies the idea that you either die a rebel hero or live long enough to become the evil emperor you dethroned.

From the first, Microsoft has pursued three goals:

Get too big to fail;

Get too big to jail;

Get too big to care.

It has succeeded on all three counts. Much of Microsoft's enduring power comes from succeeded IBM as the company that mediocre IT managers can safely buy from without being blamed for the poor quality of Microsoft's products: "Nobody ever got fired for buying Microsoft" is 2024's answer to "Nobody ever got fired for buying IBM."

Microsoft's secret sauce is impunity. The PC companies that bundle Windows with their hardware are held blameless for the glaring defects in Windows. The IT managers who buy company-wide Windows licenses are likewise insulated from the rage of the workers who have to use Windows and other Microsoft products.

Microsoft doesn't have to care if you hate it because, for the most part, it's not selling to you. It's selling to a few decision-makers who can be wined and dined and flattered. And since we all have to use its products, developers have to target its platform if they want to sell us their software.

This rarified position has afforded Microsoft enormous freedom to roll out harebrained "features" that made things briefly attractive for some group of developers it was hoping to tempt into its sticky-trap. Remember when it put a Turing-complete scripting environment into Microsoft Office and unleashed a plague of macro viruses that wiped out years worth of work for entire businesses?

https://web.archive.org/web/20060325224147/http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/newsinfo/collateral.aspx?cid=33338

It wasn't just Office; Microsoft's operating systems have harbored festering swamps of godawful defects that were weaponized by trolls, script kiddies, and nation-states:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EternalBlue

Microsoft blamed everyone except themselves for these defects, claiming that their poor code quality was no worse than others, insisting that the bulging arsenal of Windows-specific malware was the result of being the juiciest target and thus the subject of the most malicious attention.

Even if you take them at their word here, that's still no excuse. Microsoft didn't slip and accidentally become an operating system monopolist. They relentlessly, deliberately, illegally pursued the goal of extinguishing every OS except their own. It's completely foreseeable that this dominance would make their products the subject of continuous attacks.

There's an implicit bargain that every monopolist makes: allow me to dominate my market and I will be a benevolent dictator who spends his windfall profits on maintaining product quality and security. Indeed, if we permit "wasteful competition" to erode the margins of operating system vendors, who will have a surplus sufficient to meet the security investment demands of the digital world?

But monopolists always violate this bargain. When faced with the decision to either invest in quality and security, or hand billions of dollars to their shareholders, they'll always take the latter. Why wouldn't they? Once they have a monopoly, they don't have to worry about losing customers to a competitor, so why invest in customer satisfaction? That's how Google can piss away $80b on a stock buyback and fire 12,000 technical employees at the same time as its flagship search product (with a 90% market-share) is turning into an unusable pile of shit:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/02/21/im-feeling-unlucky/#not-up-to-the-task

Microsoft reneged on this bargain from day one, and they never stopped. When the company moved Office to the cloud, it added an "analytics" suite that lets bosses spy on and stack-rank their employees ("Sorry, fella, Office365 says you're the slowest typist in the company, so you're fired"). Microsoft will also sell you internal data on the Office365 usage of your industry competitors (they'll sell your data to your competitors, too, natch). But most of all, Microsoft harvest, analyzes and sells this data for its own purposes:

https://pluralistic.net/2020/11/25/the-peoples-amazon/#clippys-revenge

Leave aside how creepy, gross and exploitative this is – it's also incredibly reckless. Microsoft is creating a two-way conduit into the majority of the world's businesses that insider threats, security services and hackers can exploit to spy on and wreck Microsoft's customers' business. You don't get more "too big to care" than this.

Or at least, not until now. Microsoft recently announced a product called "Recall" that would record every keystroke, click and screen element, nominally in the name of helping you figure out what you've done and either do it again, or go back and fix it. The problem here is that anyone who gains access to your system – your boss, a spy, a cop, a Microsoft insider, a stalker, an abusive partner or a hacker – now has access to everything, on a platter. Naturally, this system – which Microsoft billed as ultra-secure – was wildly insecure and after a series of blockbuster exploits, the company was forced to hit pause on the rollout:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/06/microsoft-delays-data-scraping-recall-feature-again-commits-to-public-beta-test/

For years, Microsoft waged a war on the single most important security practice in software development: transparency. This is the company that branded the GPL Free Software license a "virus" and called open source "a cancer." The company argued that allowing public scrutiny of code would be a disaster because bad guys would spot and weaponize defects.

This is "security through obscurity" and it's an idea that was discredited nearly 500 years ago with the advent of the scientific method. The crux of that method: we are so good at bullshiting ourselves into thinking that our experiment was successful that the only way to make sure we know anything is to tell our enemies what we think we've proved so they can try to tear us down.

Or, as Bruce Schneier puts it: "Anyone can design a security system that you yourself can't think of a way of breaking. That doesn't mean it works, it just means that it works against people stupider than you."

And yet, Microsoft – whose made more widely and consequentially exploited software than anyone else in the history of the human race – claimed that free and open code was insecure, and spent millions on deceptive PR campaigns intended to discredit the scientific method in favor of a kind of software alchemy, in which every coder toils in secret, assuring themselves that drinking mercury is the secret to eternal life.

Access to source code isn't sufficient to make software secure – nothing about access to code guarantees that anyone will review that code and repair its defects. Indeed, there've been some high profile examples of "supply chain attacks" in the free/open source software world:

https://www.securityweek.com/supply-chain-attack-major-linux-distributions-impacted-by-xz-utils-backdoor/

But there's no good argument that this code would have been more secure if it had been harder for the good guys to spot its bugs. When it comes to secure code, transparency is an essential, but it's not a sufficency.

The architects of that campaign are genuinely awful people, and yet they're revered as heroes by Microsoft's current leadership. There's Steve "Linux Is Cancer" Ballmer, star of Propublica's IRS Files, where he is shown to be the king of "tax loss harvesting":

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/24/tax-loss-harvesting/#mego

And also the most prominent example of the disgusting tax cheats practiced by rich sports-team owners:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/07/08/tuyul-apps/#economic-substance-doctrine

Microsoft may give lip service to open source these days (mostly through buying, stripmining and enclosing Github) but Ballmer's legacy lives on within the company, through its wildly illegal tax-evasion tactics:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/10/13/pour-encoragez-les-autres/#micros-tilde-one

But Ballmer is an angel compared to his boss, Bill Gates, last seen some paragraphs above, stealing the credit for MS DOS from Tim Paterson and billions of dollars from his co-founder Paul Allen. Gates is an odious creep who made billions through corrupt tech industry practices, then used them to wield influence over the world's politics and policy. The Gates Foundation (and Gates personally) invented vaccine apartheid, helped kill access to AIDS vaccines in Sub-Saharan Africa, then repeated the trick to keep covid vaccines out of reach of the Global South:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/04/13/public-interest-pharma/#gates-foundation

The Gates Foundation wants us to think of it as malaria-fighting heroes, but they're also the leaders of the war against public education, and have been key to the replacement of public schools with charter schools, where the poorest kids in America serve as experimental subjects for the failed pet theories of billionaire dilettantes:

https://www.ineteconomics.org/perspectives/blog/millionaire-driven-education-reform-has-failed-heres-what-works

(On a personal level, Gates is also a serial sexual abuser who harassed multiple subordinates into having sexual affairs with him:)

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/13/technology/microsoft-sexual-harassment-policy-review.html

The management culture of Microsoft started rotten and never improved. It's a company with corruption and monopoly in its blood, a firm that would always rather build market power to insulate itself from the consequences of making defective products than actually make good products. This is true of every division, from cloud computing:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/09/28/other-peoples-computers/#clouded-over

To gaming:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/27/convicted-monopolist/#microsquish

No one should ever trust Microsoft to do anything that benefits anyone except Microsoft. One of the low points in the otherwise wonderful surge of tech worker labor organizing was when the Communications Workers of America endorsed Microsoft's acquisition of Activision because Microsoft promised not to union-bust Activision employees. They lied:

https://80.lv/articles/qa-workers-contracted-by-microsoft-say-they-were-fired-for-trying-to-unionize/

Repeatedly:

https://www.reuters.com/technology/activision-fired-staff-using-strong-language-about-remote-work-policy-union-2023-03-01/

Why wouldn't they lie? They've never faced any consequences for lying in the past. Remember: the secret to Microsoft's billions is impunity.

Which brings me to Solarwinds. Solarwinds is an enterprise management tool that allows IT managers to see, patch and control the computers they oversee. Foreign spies hacked Solarwinds and accessed a variety of US federal agencies, including National Nuclear Security Administration (who oversee nuclear weapons stockpiles), the NIH, and the Treasury Department.

When the Solarwinds story broke, Microsoft strenuously denied that the Solarwinds hack relied on exploiting defects in Microsoft software. They said this to everyone: the press, the Pentagon, and Congress.

This was a lie. As Renee Dudley and Doris Burke reported for Propublica, the Solarwinds attack relied on defects in the SAML authentication system that Microsoft's own senior security staff had identified and repeatedly warned management about. Microsoft's leadership ignored these warnings, buried the research, prohibited anyone from warning Microsoft customers, and sidelined Andrew Harris, the researcher who discovered the defect:

https://www.propublica.org/article/microsoft-solarwinds-golden-saml-data-breach-russian-hackers

The single most consequential cyberattack on the US government was only possible because Microsoft decided not to fix a profound and dangerous bug in its code, and declined to warn anyone who relied on this defective software.

Yesterday, Microsoft president Brad Smith testified about this to Congress, and promised that the company would henceforth prioritize security over gimmicks like AI:

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/06/microsoft-in-damage-control-mode-says-it-will-prioritize-security-over-ai/

Despite all the reasons to mistrust this promise, the company is hoping Congress will believe it. More importantly, it's hoping that the Pentagon will believe it, because the Pentagon is about to award billions in free no-bid military contract profits to Microsoft:

https://www.axios.com/2024/05/17/pentagon-weighs-microsoft-licensing-upgrades

You know what? I bet they'll sell this lie. It won't be the first time they've convinced Serious People in charge of billions of dollars and/or lives to ignore that all-important maxim, "When someone tells you who they are and you get fooled again, shame on you."

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/06/14/patch-tuesday/#fool-me-twice-we-dont-get-fooled-again

[mariacallous]

Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has plans to stage a “hackathon” next week in Washington, DC. The goal is to create a single “mega API”—a bridge that lets software systems talk to one another—for accessing IRS data, sources tell WIRED. The agency is expected to partner with a third-party vendor to manage certain aspects of the data project. Palantir, a software company cofounded by billionaire and Musk associate Peter Thiel, has been brought up consistently by DOGE representatives as a possible candidate, sources tell WIRED.

Two top DOGE operatives at the IRS, Sam Corcos and Gavin Kliger, are helping to orchestrate the hackathon, sources tell WIRED. Corcos is a health-tech CEO with ties to Musk’s SpaceX. Kliger attended UC Berkeley until 2020 and worked at the AI company Databricks before joining DOGE as a special adviser to the director at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Corcos is also a special adviser to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Since joining Musk’s DOGE, Corcos has told IRS workers that he wants to pause all engineering work and cancel current attempts to modernize the agency’s systems, according to sources with direct knowledge who spoke with WIRED. He has also spoken about some aspects of these cuts publicly: "We've so far stopped work and cut about $1.5 billion from the modernization budget. Mostly projects that were going to continue to put us down the death spiral of complexity in our code base," Corcos told Laura Ingraham on Fox News in March.

Corcos has discussed plans for DOGE to build “one new API to rule them all,” making IRS data more easily accessible for cloud platforms, sources say. APIs, or application programming interfaces, enable different applications to exchange data, and could be used to move IRS data into the cloud. The cloud platform could become the “read center of all IRS systems,” a source with direct knowledge tells WIRED, meaning anyone with access could view and possibly manipulate all IRS data in one place.

Over the last few weeks, DOGE has requested the names of the IRS’s best engineers from agency staffers. Next week, DOGE and IRS leadership are expected to host dozens of engineers in DC so they can begin “ripping up the old systems” and building the API, an IRS engineering source tells WIRED. The goal is to have this task completed within 30 days. Sources say there have been multiple discussions about involving third-party cloud and software providers like Palantir in the implementation.

Corcos and DOGE indicated to IRS employees that they intended to first apply the API to the agency’s mainframes and then move on to every other internal system. Initiating a plan like this would likely touch all data within the IRS, including taxpayer names, addresses, social security numbers, as well as tax return and employment data. Currently, the IRS runs on dozens of disparate systems housed in on-premises data centers and in the cloud that are purposefully compartmentalized. Accessing these systems requires special permissions and workers are typically only granted access on a need-to-know basis.

A “mega API” could potentially allow someone with access to export all IRS data to the systems of their choosing, including private entities. If that person also had access to other interoperable datasets at separate government agencies, they could compare them against IRS data for their own purposes.

“Schematizing this data and understanding it would take years,” an IRS source tells WIRED. “Just even thinking through the data would take a long time, because these people have no experience, not only in government, but in the IRS or with taxes or anything else.” (“There is a lot of stuff that I don't know that I am learning now,” Corcos tells Ingraham in the Fox interview. “I know a lot about software systems, that's why I was brought in.")

These systems have all gone through a tedious approval process to ensure the security of taxpayer data. Whatever may replace them would likely still need to be properly vetted, sources tell WIRED.

"It's basically an open door controlled by Musk for all American's most sensitive information with none of the rules that normally secure that data," an IRS worker alleges to WIRED.

The data consolidation effort aligns with President Donald Trump’s executive order from March 20, which directed agencies to eliminate information silos. While the order was purportedly aimed at fighting fraud and waste, it also could threaten privacy by consolidating personal data housed on different systems into a central repository, WIRED previously reported.

In a statement provided to WIRED on Saturday, a Treasury spokesperson said the department “is pleased to have gathered a team of long-time IRS engineers who have been identified as the most talented technical personnel. Through this coalition, they will streamline IRS systems to create the most efficient service for the American taxpayer. This week the team will be participating in the IRS Roadmapping Kickoff, a seminar of various strategy sessions, as they work diligently to create efficient systems. This new leadership and direction will maximize their capabilities and serve as the tech-enabled force multiplier that the IRS has needed for decades.”

Palantir, Sam Corcos, and Gavin Kliger did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In February, a memo was drafted to provide Kliger with access to personal taxpayer data at the IRS, The Washington Post reported. Kliger was ultimately provided read-only access to anonymized tax data, similar to what academics use for research. Weeks later, Corcos arrived, demanding detailed taxpayer and vendor information as a means of combating fraud, according to the Post.

“The IRS has some pretty legacy infrastructure. It's actually very similar to what banks have been using. It's old mainframes running COBOL and Assembly and the challenge has been, how do we migrate that to a modern system?” Corcos told Ingraham in the same Fox News interview. Corcos said he plans to continue his work at IRS for a total of six months.

DOGE has already slashed and burned modernization projects at other agencies, replacing them with smaller teams and tighter timelines. At the Social Security Administration, DOGE representatives are planning to move all of the agency’s data off of legacy programming languages like COBOL and into something like Java, WIRED reported last week.

Last Friday, DOGE suddenly placed around 50 IRS technologists on administrative leave. On Thursday, even more technologists were cut, including the director of cybersecurity architecture and implementation, deputy chief information security officer, and acting director of security risk management. IRS’s chief technology officer, Kaschit Pandya, is one of the few technology officials left at the agency, sources say.

DOGE originally expected the API project to take a year, multiple IRS sources say, but that timeline has shortened dramatically down to a few weeks. “That is not only not technically possible, that's also not a reasonable idea, that will cripple the IRS,” an IRS employee source tells WIRED. “It will also potentially endanger filing season next year, because obviously all these other systems they’re pulling people away from are important.”

(Corcos also made it clear to IRS employees that he wanted to kill the agency’s Direct File program, the IRS’s recently released free tax-filing service.)

DOGE’s focus on obtaining and moving sensitive IRS data to a central viewing platform has spooked privacy and civil liberties experts.

“It’s hard to imagine more sensitive data than the financial information the IRS holds,” Evan Greer, director of Fight for the Future, a digital civil rights organization, tells WIRED.

Palantir received the highest FedRAMP approval this past December for its entire product suite, including Palantir Federal Cloud Service (PFCS) which provides a cloud environment for federal agencies to implement the company’s software platforms, like Gotham and Foundry. FedRAMP stands for Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program and assesses cloud products for security risks before governmental use.

“We love disruption and whatever is good for America will be good for Americans and very good for Palantir,” Palantir CEO Alex Karp said in a February earnings call. “Disruption at the end of the day exposes things that aren't working. There will be ups and downs. This is a revolution, some people are going to get their heads cut off.”

[drst]

So this is what the Biden administration spent it's last week in office doing. It's important to know this isn't unusual activity for them. But this is all just in one week:

"Out With a Bang: Enforcers Go After John Deere, Private Equity Billionaires

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/out-with-a-bang-enforcers-go-after

At least for a few more days, laws are not suggestions. In the end days of strong enforcement, a flurry of litigation is met with a direct lawsuit by billionaires against Biden's Antitrust chief.

Matt Stoller

Jan 16, 2025

It’s less than a week until this era of antitrust ends. And while much of the news has been focused elsewhere, enforcers have engaged in a flurry of action, which will by legal necessity continue into the next administration. One case in particular angered some of the most powerful people on Wall Street, the partners of a $600 billion private equity firm called Kohlberg Kravis Roberts (KKR).

But before getting to that suit, here’s a partial list of some of the actions enforcers have taken in the last two weeks.

The Federal Trade Commission

Filed a monopolization claim against agricultural machine maker John Deere for generating $6 billion by prohibiting farmers from being able to repair their own equipment, a suit which Wired magazine calls a “tipping point” for the right to repair movement.

Released another report on pharmacy benefit managers, including that of UnitedHealth Group, showing that these companies inflated prices for specialty pharmaceuticals by more than $7 billion.

Sued Greystar, a large corporate landlord, for deceiving renters with falsely advertised low rents and not including mandatory junk fees in the price.

Issued a policy statement that gig workers can’t be prosecuted for antitrust violations when they try to organize, and along with the Antitrust Division, updated guidance on labor and antitrust.

Put out a series of orders prohibiting data brokers from selling sensitive location information.

Finalized changes to a rule barring third party targeted advertising to children without an explicit opt-in.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Went to court against Capital One for cheating consumers out of $2 billion by deceiving them on savings accounts and interest rates.

Fined cash app purveyor Block $175 million for fostering fraud on its platform and then refusing to offer customer support to affected consumers.

Proposed a rule to prohibit take-it-or-leave-it contracts from financial institutions that allow firms to de-bank users over how they express themselves or whether they seek redress for fraud.

Issued a report with recommendations on how states can update their laws to protect against junk fees and privacy abuses.

Sued credit reporting agency Experian for refusing to investigate consumer disputes and errors on credit reports.

Finalized a rule to remove medical debt from credit scores.

The Antitrust Division

Sued to block a merger of two leading business travel firms, American Express Global Business Travel Group and CWT Holdings.

Filed a complaint against seven giant corporate landlords for rent-fixing, using the software and consulting firm RealPage.

Got four guilty pleas in a bid-rigging conspiracy by IT vendors against the U.S. government, a guilty plea from an asphalt vendor company President, and convicted five defendants in a price-fixing scam on roofing contracts.

Issued a policy statement that non-disclosure agreements that deter individuals from reporting antitrust crimes are void, and that employers “using NDAs to obstruct or impede an investigation may also constitute separate federal criminal violations.”

Filed two amicus briefs with the FTC, one supporting Epic Games in its remedy against Google over app store monopolization, and the other supporting Elon Musk in his antitrust claims against OpenAI, Microsoft, and Reid Hoffman.

And honorary mention goes to the Department of Transportation for suing Southwest and fining Frontier for ‘chronically delayed flights.’"

It's worth reading the entire piece because the Biden people have also gone after KKR which is one of the biggest and most well-connected private equity firms. Remember when suddenly last year all the rich people who used to donate to both parties stopped giving money to Democrats? The billionaires coup against Biden was because of anti trust enforcement.

IF YOU'RE THINKING "GOSH I NEVER HEARD ABOUT ANY OF THIS BEFORE" I HOPE YOU CAN PUT TOGETHER THAT THE NEWS AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS ARE ALL OWNED BY BILLIONAIRES WHO ARE VERY ANGRY ABOUT ALL OF THIS AND MAYBE THAT'S WHY YOU NEVER SAW ANYONE TALK ABOUT THE HUGE RESURGENCE OF ANTI TRUST WORK DONE BY BIDEN FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

And no, Trump cannot magically make this all go away. The lawsuits will have to be played out and many of them have state level components that mean the feds can't just shut them down.

X

[archanagunda]

Charting the Course to SAP HANA Cloud

The push towards SAP HANA cloud shift stems from the need for agility and responsiveness in a dynamic business climate. The cloud promises reduced infrastructure expenses, robust data analytics, and the nimbleness to address changing needs quickly. However, for many companies, transitioning from on-premise SAP HANA to the cloud involves navigating concerns around data security, performance, and potentially relinquishing control of business-critical ERP systems.

SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud: A Tailored Offering

In light of these challenges, SAP presented the SAP HANA Enterprise Cloud (HEC), a private cloud service designed expressly for mission-critical workloads. HEC advertises no compromise on performance, integration, security, failover, or disaster recovery. It spotlights versatility, strong customer support, and end-to-end coverage - from strategic planning to application management. This offering intends to provide the cloud’s agility and innovation under SAP’s direct guidance and expertise.

Actual Delivery of HANA Enterprise Cloud

Despite SAP’s messaging, the HEC’s delivery involves a consortium of third-party providers, including HPE, IBM, CenturyLink, Dimension Data, and Virtustream. SAP collaborates with these partners, who bid on projects often awarded to the lowest bidder, to leverage specialized capabilities while upholding SAP’s standards.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Partnering with competent vendors ensures clients receive secure, best-practice SAP hosting and support. HEC’s comprehensive solution integrates licensing, infrastructure, and support with touted scalability and integration.

However, several customer challenges emerge. Firstly, leveraging SAP’s brand for cloud hosting and SAP managed services risks diminishing anticipated cost savings. Secondly, the lack of direct engagement with third-party providers raises concerns about entrusting critical ERP operations to unseen partners. This dynamic obscures visibility and control over SAP HANA migration and management.

Furthermore, the absence of a direct relationship between SAP HANA users and cloud suppliers may complicate support, especially for urgent issues warranting rapid response. While SAP’s ecosystem aims to guarantee quality and security, intermediation can hinder the timely resolution of critical situations, affecting system uptime and operations.

SAP HANA Cloud: A Strategic Decision

As SAP systems become increasingly vital, migrating SAP HANA is not simply a technical or operational choice but a strategic one. SAP HANA transcends a database or software suite – it constitutes a competitive advantage that, when optimized, can spur tremendous innovation and success. This migration necessitates meticulous planning, execution, and governance to ensure the transition empowers rather than compromises SAP HANA’s strategic value.

In this context, selecting the ideal cloud model and service providers represents critical decisions. Companies must scrutinize partners beyond cost, evaluating track records, SAP skills, security protocols, and the aptitude to deliver personalized, responsive service.

The Future SAP HANA Cloud Trajectory

As we advance into 2024, the SAP DATA Cloud Analytics landscape continues evolving. Innovations in cloud technology, security, and service creation provide new prospects for migration planning. Firms must stay updated on cloud service advancements, SAP’s strategic direction, and cloud shift best practices to navigate this transition successfully.

To accomplish this, companies should:

Collaborate cross-functionally to align SAP HANA cloud plans with broader business goals and technology roadmaps.

Ensure chosen cloud environments and suppliers meet rigorous data security, privacy, and regulatory standards.

Assess infrastructure ability to support SAP HANA performance requirements and scale amid fluctuating demands.

Institute clear governance and support structures for effective issue resolution throughout and post-migration.

Transitioning SAP HANA to the cloud is complex but ultimately rewarding, unlocking efficiency, agility, and innovation when executed deliberately. By weighing the strategic, operational, and technical dynamics, businesses can drive this migration smoothly, fully capturing SAP HANA’s power to fuel future prosperity.

[shantitechnology]

How to Choose the best ERP for Engineering Industry?

Introduction:

In the ever-evolving landscape of the engineering industry, staying ahead of the competition requires streamlined processes, real-time decision-making, and efficient resource management.  This is where Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems come into play.  As a leading ERP solution provider, Shantitechnology (STERP) understands the critical role that ERP plays in the success of manufacturing enterprises.  In this blog, we will guide you through the essential considerations for selecting the best ERP for the engineering industry, focusing on ERP for manufacturing industry, ERP system for manufacturing industry, ERP solution provider, ERP software for manufacturing industry, and the best ERP for manufacturing industry.

Understanding the Unique Needs of the Engineering Industry:

Before delving into the selection process, it's crucial to recognize the unique requirements of the engineering and manufacturing sector.  The complexity of operations, intricate supply chains, and the need for precise production planning make the engineering industry distinct.  A robust ERP for manufacturing industry should address these challenges seamlessly.

Key Considerations for Choosing ERP for Manufacturing Industry:

Comprehensive Functionality:

Look for ERP systems that offer comprehensive functionality tailored to the engineering industry.  This includes modules for production planning, materials management, quality control, and supply chain management.  The best ERP for manufacturing industry should integrate all these aspects to provide a holistic solution.

Scalability:

As your engineering business grows, so should your ERP system.  Opt for an ERP solution that is scalable, allowing you to add functionalities and users as needed.  This ensures that your ERP system can adapt to the changing needs of your manufacturing processes.

Real-time Data Integration:

The ability to access real-time data is crucial for making informed decisions.  Choose an ERP system that facilitates seamless integration with various data sources within your organization.  This ensures that decision-makers have access to up-to-date information for accurate analysis and planning.

Customization Options:

Every manufacturing business is unique, and your ERP system should reflect that.  A flexible ERP solution allows for customization to align with your specific processes and workflows.  This adaptability ensures that the ERP system enhances efficiency without imposing rigid structures.

User-Friendly Interface:

An intuitive and user-friendly interface is vital for successful ERP implementation.�� Ensure that the ERP software for manufacturing industry you choose has an interface that is easy to navigate, minimizing the learning curve for your staff and maximizing productivity.

Mobile Accessibility:

In today's fast-paced business environment, having access to your ERP system on the go is essential.  Look for ERP solutions that offer mobile accessibility, enabling key stakeholders to make decisions and monitor operations remotely.

Integration with Third-party Applications:

A best-in-class ERP system should be able to integrate seamlessly with other third-party applications.  This ensures that your engineering business can leverage the latest technologies and tools without disrupting existing processes.

Compliance and Security:

Compliance with industry regulations and data security are non-negotiable aspects of ERP for manufacturing industry.  Ensure that the ERP solution provider adheres to the necessary standards and provides robust security features to safeguard sensitive information.

Cost Considerations:

While the aim is to invest in the best ERP for manufacturing industry, it's essential to consider the total cost of ownership.  Evaluate the upfront costs, ongoing maintenance fees, and potential hidden expenses to make an informed decision that aligns with your budget.

Vendor Support and Training:

A reliable ERP solution provider should offer comprehensive support and training programs.  Evaluate the level of support provided during the implementation phase and inquire about ongoing support options.  Adequate training ensures that your team can maximize the benefits of the ERP system.

Choosing the Best ERP System for Manufacturing Industry – A Case for STERP:

Now that we've outlined the key considerations, let's explore how Shantitechnology (STERP) excels in providing the best ERP for manufacturing industry.

Comprehensive Functionality:

STERP offers a comprehensive suite of ERP solutions specifically designed for the engineering and manufacturing sector.  From production planning to quality control, our ERP system covers all aspects of your operations, ensuring a seamless workflow.

Scalability:

STERP understands that the engineering industry is dynamic, with businesses experiencing growth and changes.  Our ERP solution is highly scalable, allowing you to add modules and users as your business expands.

Real-time Data Integration:

With STERP's ERP system, real-time data integration is at the core.  Our solution enables you to access accurate and up-to-date information, empowering your decision-makers to respond swiftly to changing market demands.

Customization Options:

STERP recognizes that each manufacturing business has its unique processes.  Our ERP solution provides robust customization options, allowing you to tailor the system to match your specific workflows and requirements.

User-Friendly Interface:

STERP places a strong emphasis on user experience.  Our ERP system features an intuitive and user-friendly interface, ensuring that your team can quickly adapt to the new system, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.

Mobile Accessibility:

In a world where business operations extend beyond the office walls, STERP's ERP system offers mobile accessibility.  Stay connected and in control, whether you're on the shop floor or attending a business meeting.

Integration with Third-party Applications:

STERP's ERP system is designed to integrate seamlessly with a wide range of third-party applications.  This flexibility allows your business to stay at the forefront of technological advancements without disrupting your existing processes.

Compliance and Security:

STERP is committed to compliance with industry regulations and prioritizes the security of your data.  Our ERP system incorporates robust security features to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of your sensitive information.

Cost Considerations:

STERP believes in transparency when it comes to costs.  Our pricing model is designed to provide value for your investment, with no hidden fees.  We work with you to ensure that the total cost of ownership aligns with your budgetary constraints.

Vendor Support and Training:

STERP stands by your side throughout the implementation process and beyond.  Our dedicated support team is ready to assist, and our training programs are designed to equip your team with the knowledge and skills needed to make the most of our ERP system.

Conclusion:

Choosing the best ERP for manufacturing industry is a strategic decision that can significantly impact the efficiency and competitiveness of your engineering business.  By considering factors such as comprehensive functionality, scalability, real-time data integration, customization options, user-friendly interface, mobile accessibility, integration capabilities, compliance, security, cost, and vendor support, you can make an informed choice.

As a trusted ERP solution provider, Shantitechnology (STERP) offers a tailored ERP system that addresses the unique needs of the engineering industry.  Our commitment to excellence, coupled with a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, positions STERP as the ideal partner for your ERP journey.  Invest in the best ERP for manufacturing industry – choose STERP and empower your engineering business for success in the digital era.

[teamarcstechnologies]

Ensuring Data Security in Online Market Research while using AI to Collect Data

In the realm of Online market research, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized data collection processes, offering unparalleled efficiency and insights. However, alongside these advancements, ensuring robust data security measures is paramount to safeguarding sensitive information.

Encryption Protocols: Implementing robust encryption protocols is the first line of defense in protecting data integrity. Utilizing industry-standard encryption algorithms ensures that data remains encrypted both in transit and at rest, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access.

Access Controls: Implementing strict access controls ensures that only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. Role-based access controls (RBAC) limit access to data based on predefined roles and responsibilities, minimizing the potential for data breaches.

Anonymization and Pseudonymization: Employing techniques such as anonymization and pseudonymization reduces the risk of exposing personally identifiable information (PII). By replacing identifiable information with artificial identifiers, researchers can analyze data while preserving individual privacy.

Data Minimization: Adhering to the principle of data minimization involves collecting only the necessary data required for research purposes. By reducing the volume of sensitive information stored, organizations can minimize the potential impact of a data breach.

Secure Data Transmission: Utilizing secure communication channels, such as encrypted connections (e.g., SSL/TLS), ensures that data transmitted between clients and servers remains confidential. Secure socket layers provide end-to-end encryption, safeguarding against eavesdropping and tampering.

Regular Security Audits: Conducting regular security audits and assessments helps identify vulnerabilities and areas for improvement within existing security frameworks. By proactively addressing security gaps, organizations can enhance their resilience to potential threats.

Compliance with Regulations: Adhering to relevant data protection regulations such as GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA ensures legal compliance and fosters trust among participants. Compliance frameworks outline specific requirements for data handling, storage, and processing, guiding organizations in implementing robust security measures.

Continuous Monitoring and Response: Implementing real-time monitoring systems allows organizations to detect and respond to security incidents promptly. Automated alerting mechanisms notify administrators of suspicious activities, enabling swift intervention to mitigate potential risks.

Employee Training and Awareness: Educating employees about data security best practices and the importance of safeguarding sensitive information is critical in maintaining a secure environment. Training programs raise awareness about common security threats and equip staff with the knowledge to identify and respond appropriately to potential risks.

Vendor Due Diligence: When outsourcing data collection or processing tasks to third-party vendors, conducting thorough due diligence is essential. Assessing vendor security practices and ensuring compliance with data protection standards mitigate the risk of data breaches arising from external sources.

By implementing these comprehensive strategies, organizations can uphold the integrity and confidentiality of data collected through AI-powered online market research. Prioritizing data security not only fosters trust with participants but also mitigates the risk of reputational damage and regulatory non-compliance.

Also read:

The Right Approach to Designing & Conducting Online Surveys

Know more: Online Community Management Software

panel management platform

Online Project Management Platform

[quickpayable]

What is Quick Payable?

Quick Payable is a user-friendly application available on Salesforce's app exchange platform. It is designed to simplify and streamline the accounts payable process for businesses. Here are the key features and benefits of Quick Payable:

1. Efficient Bill Management:

- Quick Payable allows businesses to easily manage bills from multiple vendors.

- The intuitive interface makes it easy to organize and track invoices.

- Businesses can ensure timely payments and avoid penalties or late fees.

2. Automated Invoice Data Capture:

- Quick Payable leverages advanced software to automate invoice data capture.

- This eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving time and reducing errors.

- The system intelligently extracts relevant information from invoices, such as invoice numbers, due dates, and amounts.

3. Streamlined Approval Process:

- With Quick Payable, businesses can customize their approval workflow.

- Approvers can be assigned based on vendor configurations, ensuring the right people review and authorize invoices.

- This streamlines the approval process, reducing bottlenecks and delays in the payment cycle.

4. Complete Expense Visibility:

- Quick Payable provides rich dashboards and reports, offering complete visibility of expenses.

- Businesses can track and analyze spending patterns, identify unnecessary costs, and optimize their spending.

- This level of insight empowers businesses to make informed financial decisions and improve overall financial management.

5. Effortless Data Export:

- Quick Payable allows for seamless data export to third-party ERP systems.

- Businesses can integrate their accounts payable information with existing financial software.

- This eliminates the need for manual transfers and ensures data consistency across different platforms.

6. Enhanced Efficiency and Error Reduction:

- By utilizing Quick Payable, businesses can improve the efficiency of their accounts payable processes.

- The app automates repetitive tasks, freeing up valuable time for the finance team.

- With fewer errors and delays, businesses can focus on strategic financial planning and ensure accurate financial records.

In summary, Quick Payable is a powerful tool that simplifies and streamlines the accounts payable process for businesses. With features like efficient bill management, automated invoice data capture, and streamlined approval processes, businesses can improve their financial management capabilities. The complete expense visibility and effortless data export features further enhance efficiency and reduce errors. Embrace Quick Payable to optimize your accounts payable processes and take control of your financial management.

[keyhighlightsofwwdc2025and]

Front Office vs Back Office BPO: What’s the Difference?

If your company works with third-party vendors to handle specific tasks, you’re already familiar with Business Process Outsourcing (BPO). The BPO industry is booming, jumping from a market value of $92.5 billion in 2019 to $232.32 billion in 2020. In today’s gig economy, with remote work and hybrid setups becoming the norm, BPO is impossible to overlook. In fact, 80% of global executives plan to maintain or increase their outsourcing budgets. But what exactly are they outsourcing? The answer lies in two key categories: Front Office BPO and Back Office BPO. Let’s break down the differences between Front Office vs Back Office BPO.

What is Front Office BPO?

Imagine the face of your business—the part that interacts directly with customers. That’s what Front Office BPO is all about. According to Deloitte’s 2024 global outsourcing survey, 50% of executives outsource these customer-facing tasks. Think sales, marketing, customer service, or tech support—anything that involves direct contact with clients.

These front-office roles are critical because they shape your company’s reputation and drive revenue. To keep quality high while managing costs, many businesses turn to third-party vendors like marketing agencies, IT help desks, or customer support teams to handle these tasks.

What Does Front Office BPO Include?

Here’s a quick look at the types of tasks that fall under Front Office BPO:

Customer Service and Support: Fielding calls, emails, or texts from customers, answering their questions, resolving complaints, and solving problems.

Sales and Lead Generation: Reaching out to potential customers, nurturing leads, and turning them into loyal clients to boost revenue.

Technical Support and Helpdesk: Assisting customers with technical issues, like troubleshooting software or hardware problems.

Telemarketing and Telesales: Convincing customers over the phone to buy products or services and closing deals.

Live Chat and Social Media Management: Engaging with customers on social platforms, addressing concerns, and building relationships.

Skills Needed for Front Office BPO

To excel in Front Office BPO, vendors need:

Strong communication and people skills

Fluency in relevant languages and cultural sensitivity

Quick problem-solving abilities

Sales expertise

Emotional intelligence to handle customer interactions

What is Back Office BPO?

Now, shift your focus to the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a business running smoothly. That’s Back Office BPO. These are the internal, non-customer-facing tasks like accounting, HR, IT, or supply chain management.

This area is evolving, with specialized outsourcing in fields like legal services, IT support, or knowledge process outsourcing. Many companies, especially small businesses, outsource these tasks to cut costs and access expert skills without hiring full-time staff, as noted in Clutch’s 2023 report. While these processes don’t directly generate revenue, they’re essential for keeping operations efficient and understanding Front Office vs Back Office BPO.

What Does Back Office BPO Include?

Here’s what Back Office BPO typically covers:

Data Entry and Processing: Managing and updating company data, from financial records to customer details, ensuring accuracy and accessibility.

Accounting and Bookkeeping: Handling invoices, payments, and financial records to keep the books balanced.

Human Resources Management: Recruiting, onboarding, and supporting employees throughout their time with the company.

Research and Analytics: Analyzing market trends, competitors, or data to guide strategic decisions.

Quality Assurance and Compliance: Ensuring products and services meet high standards and follow regulations.

IT Support and Maintenance: Keeping technology running smoothly, from fixing software bugs to maintaining hardware.

Supply Chain Management: Coordinating the flow of goods, services, and information from suppliers to customers.

Skills Needed for Back Office BPO

To succeed in Back Office BPO, vendors need:

Technical expertise in specific fields

Keen attention to detail and accuracy

Process optimization know-how

Strong analytical thinking

Knowledge of compliance and regulations

Front Office vs Back Office BPO: Key Differences

So, what sets Front Office vs Back Office BPO apart? Let’s dive into the main distinctions:

1. Customer Interaction

The biggest difference is who they deal with. Front Office BPO is all about engaging directly with customers—think a customer service rep answering a client’s questions. Back Office BPO, on the other hand, operates in the background with little to no client contact. An accountant, for example, focuses on crunching numbers, not chatting with customers.

2. Revenue Impact

Front Office BPO has a direct effect on your bottom line. A marketing campaign or a skilled sales team can drive higher conversions and more revenue. Back Office BPO, while crucial, doesn’t immediately impact sales. IT support, for instance, ensures your systems run smoothly, enabling other teams to do their jobs effectively.

3. Time Sensitivity

Because Front Office BPO is customer-focused and tied to revenue, it’s often time-sensitive. Customer inquiries need quick responses, and sales teams must act fast to close deals. Back Office BPO tasks, like data entry or bookkeeping, follow more flexible timelines, prioritizing accuracy over speed.

4. Performance Metrics

Success in Front Office BPO is measured by customer satisfaction, response times, and conversion rates. For Back Office BPO, the focus is on accuracy, efficiency, and cost savings. For example, a data entry team’s performance might be judged by how error-free their work is, while a call center’s success hinges on happy customers.

Why Both Matter: The Bottom Line on Front Office vs Back Office BPO

Both Front Office BPO and Back Office BPO play vital roles in helping businesses save money while achieving top results. Front office outsourcing brings your brand to life through customer interactions, driving sales and building loyalty. Back office outsourcing keeps the gears turning with essential tasks like HR, IT, and accounting, allowing you to focus on growth.

The trick is figuring out which processes to outsource based on your current team’s strengths and your business goals. By understanding Front Office vs Back Office BPO, you can make smarter decisions to boost efficiency and profitability.

[educationalmafia]

Strengthening Cybersecurity & IT Governance with ISO/IEC 19770-1

As global organizations battle rising cyber threats and face stricter data governance regulations, IT Asset Management (ITAM) has moved from a supporting role to a strategic frontline defense. The ISO/IEC 19770-1 standard has emerged as a powerful tool for building resilient, secure, and compliant IT environments.

This makes the role of a certified ISO/IEC 19770-1 lead auditor more vital than ever. These professionals bring structure, oversight, and accountability to ITAM programs that now directly support cybersecurity postures.

🔍 Why ITAM Is Now Critical for Cybersecurity

Many cyber breaches stem from unmanaged or unknown IT assets, hardware or software that fly under the radar of traditional IT departments. That’s where ISO 19770-1 plays a transformative role.

It ensures complete visibility into every IT asset across an organization.

It enforces policies for lifecycle management, from acquisition to disposal.

It reduces shadow IT, license misuse, and unmonitored third-party apps.

This structured, policy-driven approach makes ISO/IEC 19770-1 a foundational element for any enterprise cybersecurity strategy.

🔑 How Certified ISO/IEC 19770-1 Lead Auditors Enhance IT Governance

The need for IT governance isn’t new but the risks are far more complex. A certified ISO/IEC 19770-1 lead auditor provides the knowledge and authority to:

Audit IT assets and policies under the ISO 19770-1 framework

Ensure secure procurement, configuration, and decommissioning of assets

Help organizations meet external compliance regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX

Guide remediation plans based on audit findings

Collaborate with InfoSec teams to harden security policies at the asset level

Organizations in high-risk sectors such as banking, government, and healthcare are now hiring auditors who can bridge the gap between asset compliance and data security.

🌍 Where the Trend Is Strong

Regions like North America, the European Union, and Asia-Pacific are accelerating their adoption of standards-based IT governance. These markets are not only adopting ISO/IEC 19770-1, but also actively searching for professionals with ISO 19770 lead auditor certification to support audits and strategic implementation.

The convergence of ITAM and cybersecurity has made ISO/IEC 19770-1 certification more than just a checkbox; it's a business enabler.

🚀 Boosting Career Opportunities with ISO 19770 Lead Auditor Certification

If you're certified, you're already ahead of the curve. Demand for certified ISO/IEC 19770-1 lead auditors is increasing across IT consulting firms, cybersecurity vendors, managed services providers, and internal audit teams.

Having this credential validates your ability to safeguard IT environments with structure and precision, two things every CISO now demands.

For more details : https://www.gsdcouncil.org/certified-iso-iec-19770-1-lead-auditor 

Contact no :  +41 41444851189

[simplifyworkforce]

Powering the Modern Workforce: How Contingent Workforce Software and Direct Sourcing Are Redefining Recruitment

In today’s dynamic talent landscape, agility is everything. As organizations respond to shifting market demands, skills gaps, and rapid project cycles, one trend is clear: the rise of the contingent workforce. Whether it's freelancers, contractors, or gig workers, this flexible labor model gives companies the ability to scale quickly without the long-term commitments of traditional hiring.

But managing a diverse and distributed workforce comes with unique challenges—especially when sourcing, onboarding, and compliance processes are handled manually or across multiple systems. This is where contingent workforce software and direct sourcing recruitment play a transformative role.

What Is Contingent Workforce Software?

Contingent workforce software is designed to help organizations efficiently manage non-permanent talent—from sourcing and onboarding to tracking performance and costs. It centralizes workflows, automates compliance, and gives real-time visibility into contractor activity, vendor performance, and workforce spend.

Key capabilities often include:

Assignment and time tracking

Automated onboarding/offboarding

Cost and compliance monitoring

Vendor collaboration

Workforce analytics and forecasting

The result? A more agile, scalable workforce strategy with reduced risk and greater operational control.

The Shift to Direct Sourcing Recruitment

While staffing agencies and third-party vendors still play an important role, many enterprises are now embracing direct sourcing recruitment as a more strategic, cost-effective model.

Direct sourcing involves using your company’s own employer brand, internal talent pools, and technology to identify and engage contingent talent—without relying entirely on external agencies.

Benefits of direct sourcing include:

Lower recruitment costs by reducing agency fees

Faster time-to-hire by tapping into pre-qualified talent

Stronger cultural alignment and candidate experience

Increased visibility and control over the hiring process

When combined with contingent workforce software, direct sourcing becomes a powerful recruitment engine—bringing together automation, branding, and speed.

The Power of Integration

The real magic happens when contingent workforce software and direct sourcing recruitment work together in harmony. Platforms like hireHQ empower HR and procurement teams to manage end-to-end contingent hiring from a single dashboard—sourcing, engaging, onboarding, and managing talent with speed and efficiency.

Imagine this:

Your internal talent community gets activated for a high-priority project.

The platform automatically matches qualified candidates and initiates onboarding.

Contracts are generated, compliance checks are run, and the worker is deployed within days—not weeks.

This seamless workflow allows businesses to scale teams faster, optimize vendor usage, and reduce overall workforce costs.

Final Thoughts

The future of work is fluid, fast, and tech-enabled. To stay competitive, organizations must go beyond traditional hiring models and embrace the power of contingent workforce software and direct sourcing recruitment.

By doing so, businesses not only improve recruitment outcomes but also build a more resilient, flexible workforce—ready to meet whatever comes next.

A Comprehensive Guide to Vendor Assessment

7 Effective Tips for Contingent Labor Management System

Vendor Performance Management: Everything You Need to Know for Success

[automatedmailsapi]

Check Printing API: The Smart Way to Automate Business Payments

Introduction As ACH and digital wallets rise, checks remain critical in industries like insurance, healthcare, and real estate. Enter the check printing API, a tool that lets you print and mail checks via software — securely and automatically.

What Is It? A check printing API connects your internal software (like accounting tools or CRM) to a third-party service that prints and mails checks on your behalf.

Who Needs It?

Payroll providers

Property managers

Legal professionals

E-commerce businesses handling refunds

Key Features

Bank-compliant check formats

Digital signature embedding

MICR-encoded check numbers

Real-time tracking and reporting

Benefits

Save time on bulk printing

Avoid fraud and manual errors

Pay vendors and employees faster

Maintain audit trails for every check

Leading Providers Checkeeper, Lob, and Deluxe offer check APIs that support direct integrations and high-security standards.

Conclusion A check printing API simplifies payment logistics while maintaining compliance, accuracy, and professionalism.

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Automated Mails – Blogger

[maximumpostcreator]

Why Accounts Payable Outsourcing Works

Introduction

In today's fast-paced and competitive business environment, companies are under increasing pressure to cut costs, improve efficiency, and streamline operations. One of the most strategic decisions a business can make is outsourcing its accounts payable (AP) function. Accounts payable outsourcing not only reduces overhead but also brings in best practices, automation, and compliance expertise. In this blog, we explore why this move is beneficial and how Rightpath can help companies scale with financial clarity.

What is Accounts Payable Outsourcing?

Accounts payable outsourcing is the practice of delegating the management of a company’s AP functions—such as invoice processing, vendor payments, and expense reconciliation—to a third-party provider like Rightpath. These providers handle the entire workflow, from receipt of invoices to final payment, often using advanced technology to streamline the process.

Why Companies Outsource Accounts Payable

Cost Reduction Maintaining an in-house AP team comes with hidden costs—staff salaries, software, training, errors, and penalties. Outsourcing eliminates most of these and converts fixed costs into variable costs.

Scalability and Flexibility As companies grow, the volume of invoices and transactions increases. An outsourced solution scales seamlessly without the need for internal hiring or restructuring.

Process Automation Providers like Rightpath use cutting-edge AP automation tools to digitize the invoice process, reducing manual input, human error, and processing time.

Faster Payment Cycles With optimized workflows and real-time dashboards, vendors are paid faster, improving supplier relationships and sometimes securing early payment discounts.

Compliance and Fraud Prevention Outsourcing firms are equipped with systems that ensure regulatory compliance and detect fraud or anomalies in transactions early.

How Accounts Payable Outsourcing Works

Invoice Capture Invoices are received via email, EDI, or scanning.

Invoice Matching System performs 2-way or 3-way matching against purchase orders and receipts.

Exception Handling Discrepancies are flagged and resolved through automated workflows or human intervention.

Approval Workflow Invoices are routed for approvals as per hierarchy before payment is scheduled.

Vendor Payment & Reporting Payments are made via bank transfers, checks, or cards. Real-time reports are generated for analysis and audit.

Benefits of Partnering with Rightpath for AP Outsourcing

Tailored Solutions for Every Business Size Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, Rightpath adapts the AP process to your needs.

Dedicated Account Managers Each client has a dedicated team that ensures smooth communication and service delivery.

End-to-End Visibility Clients can track the status of every invoice, payment, and dispute via customized dashboards.

Data Security and Compliance Rightpath adheres to industry standards like ISO and GDPR, ensuring your data remains safe and compliant.

Global Reach, Local Expertise We manage cross-border payments, tax deductions, and compliance with local laws for global operations.

Industries That Benefit the Most

Manufacturing

IT & Software

Retail and E-commerce

Logistics

Healthcare

Construction and Real Estate

Conclusion

Accounts payable outsourcing is no longer just a cost-cutting tool—it’s a strategic move toward business agility and operational excellence. By partnering with a reliable provider like Rightpath, companies can gain better control over cash flow, improve vendor relationships, and focus more on their core business. If you’re ready to unlock the benefits of AP outsourcing, Rightpath is here to help you transform your finance operations. For more information visit: - https://rightpathgs.com/

[lakshmiglobal]

5 IT Cost Saving Strategies for Your Enterprise Infrastructure

Managing enterprise IT infrastructure is a balancing act between performance, reliability, and cost. As technology evolves rapidly, so do expenses. To stay competitive and efficient, IT managers must find smart ways to reduce costs without compromising service quality or security. Below are five proven IT cost-saving strategies that can make a meaningful impact on your enterprise infrastructure.

1. Extend the Life of Existing Hardware

Rather than defaulting to frequent hardware refresh cycles, enterprises can often extend the life of servers, storage devices, and networking hardware through proper maintenance and strategic upgrades. Partnering with a third-party maintenance provider for post-warranty support can reduce costs by 30-70% compared to OEM contracts.

💡 Tip: Use asset lifecycle management tools to monitor hardware health and optimize replacement timing based on performance, not just age.

2. Leverage Cloud and Hybrid Infrastructure

Moving specific workloads to the cloud—or adopting a hybrid cloud model—can reduce the cost of owning and maintaining physical infrastructure. Cloud services provide flexibility and scalability, allowing you to pay only for what you use.

💡 Tip: Use cloud cost optimization tools to avoid waste, identify underutilized instances, and right-size your resources.

3. Optimize Software Licensing

Licensing costs can quietly eat into IT budgets. Regular audits of software usage can help identify unused or underutilized licenses, especially with large suites or per-user subscription models.

💡 Tip: Consider switching to open-source or lower-cost alternatives for certain tools, and negotiate volume discounts or enterprise agreements with vendors.

4. Consolidate and Virtualize Resources

Server consolidation through virtualization reduces the need for physical hardware, power, and cooling. It also simplifies management, backup, and disaster recovery planning.

💡 Tip: Evaluate opportunities for workload consolidation across departments and assess whether underused servers can be decommissioned or repurposed.

5. Implement Preventive Maintenance and Monitoring

Downtime is costly. By implementing proactive monitoring tools and a preventive maintenance strategy, you can catch performance issues before they lead to outages or data loss—saving both money and reputation.

💡 Tip: Schedule regular health checks for your servers and storage systems, and set up alerts for threshold-based issues like CPU spikes or disk failure warnings.

Final Thoughts

Cost optimization isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about making smarter, data-driven decisions. With the right strategies, enterprises can lower IT infrastructure costs while improving agility, performance, and reliability. Evaluate your current infrastructure and consider where these strategies can have the most immediate impact.

[mightilygrandtraveler]

Why Outsourcing Accounts Payable Is a Smart Move for Growing Businesses

In the dynamic world of business, where time and resources are increasingly scarce, companies—especially growing businesses—must focus on their core competencies to scale effectively. One of the most impactful ways to streamline operations and improve financial efficiency is by outsourcing accounts payable (AP).

Accounts payable is a crucial component of any company's financial structure. It involves the management of outgoing payments to vendors and suppliers. As businesses grow, the volume and complexity of transactions increase, often putting a strain on internal resources. This is where outsourcing can be a game-changer.

In this blog, we'll explore why outsourcing accounts payable is a smart move for growing businesses, diving deep into the benefits, potential challenges, and best practices.

What Is Accounts Payable Outsourcing?

Outsourcing accounts payable refers to delegating the task of managing vendor invoices, payment processing, reconciliation, and reporting to a third-party service provider. These firms specialize in financial operations and typically use a combination of human expertise and technology to deliver efficient AP solutions.

Whether it's a startup scaling rapidly or an SME trying to reduce operational overhead, AP outsourcing offers a strategic solution.

Key Benefits of Outsourcing Accounts Payable

1. Cost Efficiency

One of the most compelling reasons to outsource AP is the cost savings. Hiring, training, and retaining skilled accounting professionals is expensive. Add to that the infrastructure costs—software licenses, hardware, office space—and the bill quickly adds up.

Outsourcing offers access to a team of experts without the overhead. According to various financial studies, businesses can save 30-50% in operational costs by outsourcing their AP functions.

2. Improved Accuracy and Compliance

Manual processing is prone to errors: duplicate payments, missed deadlines, or incorrect data entry. These mistakes not only affect cash flow but also damage vendor relationships and expose the company to compliance risks.

Outsourcing partners use advanced AP automation tools that improve accuracy, ensure regulatory compliance (like GST, TDS, or VAT filings), and maintain detailed audit trails. This is especially critical for growing companies that may not have an internal compliance expert.

3. Scalability and Flexibility

As your business grows, so does the volume of invoices and payments. Handling this growth with a small in-house team can be chaotic and error-prone. An outsourced partner, however, can scale their services based on your needs—be it seasonal spikes or long-term expansion.

This scalability ensures you’re never understaffed or overpaying for underutilized services.

4. Access to Expertise and Technology

Outsourcing firms are often at the forefront of financial technology, offering cloud-based platforms, automation tools, and AI-driven insights that growing businesses may not afford independently.

You gain immediate access to:

E-invoicing and OCR scanning

Real-time dashboards

Automated three-way matching (PO, invoice, receipt)

Fraud detection algorithms

These technologies not only streamline operations but also offer valuable insights into spending patterns and vendor performance.

5. Faster Processing and Timely Payments

Late payments can result in penalties, missed discounts, and strained vendor relationships. Outsourced teams operate with defined SLAs (Service Level Agreements) ensuring that payments are processed promptly and systematically.

Some vendors even offer 24/7 service availability, ensuring that invoice processing doesn’t stop—regardless of time zones or holidays.

6. Enhanced Focus on Core Business

For growing companies, leadership should be focused on strategy, innovation, and customer experience—not bogged down with invoice approvals and reconciliations.

By outsourcing AP, businesses free up internal teams to concentrate on growth-driving activities. It reduces the burden on finance departments and enables better collaboration across other functions like procurement and operations.

7. Reduced Risk of Fraud

Accounts payable fraud is a growing concern for companies of all sizes. Insider threats, duplicate payments, or fictitious vendors can go unnoticed in a busy, under-resourced team.

Outsourcing firms implement strict internal controls, such as:

Segregation of duties

Multi-level invoice approvals

Secure data handling protocols

These systems significantly reduce the risk of fraud and protect your financial assets.

When Should You Consider Outsourcing?

Outsourcing AP is not a one-size-fits-all decision. Here are key indicators that it might be time:

Your AP volume has grown beyond your team's capacity

You're experiencing frequent payment errors or delays

You lack real-time visibility into outstanding liabilities

Internal AP costs are rising disproportionately

You want to modernize your finance function without heavy investment

If any of these resonate, it's a clear sign your business could benefit from a professional AP outsourcing partner.

Common Concerns and How to Address Them

Despite its advantages, some business leaders hesitate to outsource due to the following concerns:

1. Loss of Control

Concern: “Will I lose visibility or control over my finances?”

Solution: Reputable providers offer transparent dashboards, regular reports, and customized workflows that keep you in the driver’s seat. In fact, you may gain more control through better visibility and tracking.

2. Data Security Risks

Concern: “Is my financial data safe?”

Solution: Leading firms are compliant with ISO, GDPR, and SOC standards, ensuring secure data handling, storage, and transfer. Always vet your outsourcing partner's cybersecurity policies.

3. Quality of Service

Concern: “Will they understand my business well enough?”

Solution: Look for providers with industry-specific experience and check references. A well-chosen partner will take time to understand your vendor network, business cycles, and approval structures.

Best Practices for a Successful AP Outsourcing Strategy

To ensure a smooth transition and maximum ROI, follow these best practices:

Choose the Right Partner: Vet their industry expertise, technological capabilities, client testimonials, and service model.

Define Clear SLAs: Establish expectations around invoice turnaround times, reporting frequency, and accuracy rates.

Maintain Communication: Set up regular check-ins and access to a dedicated account manager.

Integrate Systems: Ensure that the AP system integrates well with your ERP, accounting software, or procurement tools.

Monitor KPIs: Track metrics like DPO (Days Payable Outstanding), invoice processing time, error rate, and early payment discounts captured.

Real-Life Example: A Growing Tech Startup

Take the case of a 3-year-old SaaS startup that recently secured Series A funding. With its vendor base expanding globally, the in-house finance team struggled to manage over 500 invoices monthly.

After outsourcing their AP function to a third-party specialist:

Invoice turnaround time dropped from 7 days to 2 days

Vendor satisfaction scores improved

They saved 40% on finance operation costs

Leadership could reallocate resources to support customer success and R&D

This is a prime example of how outsourcing AP creates operational and strategic advantages for growth-focused businesses.

Conclusion

Outsourcing accounts payable is not just a cost-cutting tactic—it's a strategic move that helps growing businesses scale faster, operate more efficiently, and stay financially healthy.

In a world where agility and smart resource allocation are key to survival and success, delegating AP to a trusted partner allows companies to sharpen their competitive edge while maintaining strong financial governance.

If you're a growing business looking to enhance your financial processes, it may be time to consider outsourcing your accounts payable—because doing everything in-house is no longer the only smart choice.

[healthcarercmservices]

How Outsourcing Prior Authorization Can Boost Revenue and Efficiency

In today’s fast-paced healthcare environment, medical practices are under constant pressure to streamline operations, ensure regulatory compliance, and maximize revenue. One area that significantly impacts both cash flow and operational efficiency is prior authorization (PA). The process, while essential for payer compliance, is time-consuming, resource-intensive, and often riddled with errors. That’s where outsourcing prior authorization services emerges as a game-changer.

Let’s explore how outsourcing this critical function can help your practice reduce overhead, improve approval turnaround times, minimize claim denials, and ultimately enhance both revenue and efficiency.

What Is Prior Authorization and Why Is It a Challenge?

Prior authorization is the process of obtaining approval from a health insurance company before a prescribed treatment, procedure, or medication is provided. Although its purpose is to control costs and ensure appropriate care, it often results in administrative bottlenecks.

Common challenges include:

Long approval wait times

Increased claim denials due to errors or missed documentation

High administrative costs

Poor communication between providers and payers

Reduced time for patient care

According to the American Medical Association, physicians and staff spend an average of 13 hours per week on prior authorization tasks per physician. This directly impacts staff productivity and can delay necessary treatments for patients.

The Shift Toward Outsourcing Prior Authorization

Medical practices, hospitals, and specialty clinics are increasingly turning to third-party experts or virtual medical assistants to manage prior authorization tasks. These specialized vendors use advanced technology, experienced staff, and real-time tracking systems to handle authorizations more efficiently than in-house teams.

Let’s break down the key ways outsourcing can boost both revenue and operational efficiency.

1. Faster Authorization Turnaround

Outsourcing companies specialize in prior authorization workflows and have established payer-specific processes that accelerate approvals. Their familiarity with payer guidelines, medical necessity criteria, and documentation requirements means fewer errors and quicker response times.

Benefits:

Improved cash flow through faster claim submission

Enhanced patient satisfaction due to fewer treatment delays

Reduced time chasing payer approvals

2. Reduced Administrative Costs

Hiring and training in-house staff for prior authorizations can be expensive. From salary and benefits to ongoing training and overhead, the costs add up quickly. By outsourcing, practices can reduce or even eliminate many of these fixed costs.

Cost savings include:

Lower staffing expenses

No investment in PA software or technology

Scalability without extra hiring during peak volumes

3. Minimized Claim Denials and Rework

Claim denials due to prior authorization errors can result in significant revenue leakage. Outsourcing partners are well-versed in payer requirements and use automated tools and checklists to ensure complete and accurate submissions.

Impact on revenue:

Fewer denials and appeals

Increased first-pass resolution rates

Reduced write-offs and accounts receivable backlogs

4. More Time for Patient Care

By offloading prior authorization responsibilities to a dedicated team, your in-house clinical and administrative staff can focus more on patient care and other mission-critical tasks. This enhances the overall patient experience and reduces staff burnout.

Efficiency gains:

Streamlined front-desk operations

Faster scheduling and check-ins

Higher staff morale and retention

5. 24/7 Availability and Scalability

Many outsourcing companies offer 24/7 support, especially those with virtual PA teams. This ensures that authorizations are being processed even outside of regular office hours, reducing delays and handling urgent requests more efficiently.

Scalable support:

Manage seasonal or specialty-based volume spikes

Rapid deployment during payer changes or software transitions

Continuous workflow regardless of internal staff shortages

6. Improved Compliance and Documentation

Outsourced PA vendors are trained in HIPAA compliance and ensure that every authorization request is documented according to federal and state guidelines. They also provide audit-ready reports and logs, minimizing legal risks and supporting better practice management.

Compliance benefits:

Lower risk of HIPAA violations

Ready documentation for audits

Better tracking of payer correspondence

7. Better Insights Through Analytics

Top-tier prior authorization service providers offer real-time dashboards, detailed reports, and analytics that help practices identify bottlenecks and improve workflows. These insights allow for data-driven decisions to further optimize performance.

Sample metrics tracked:

Approval turnaround time

Denial reasons

Most frequently delayed services

Payer performance trends

Use Case: Specialty Practices Reaping the Rewards

Specialty care providers like cardiology, radiology, oncology, and orthopedics deal with complex authorizations daily. In these settings, outsourcing has shown even more dramatic results due to:

Higher volume of PA requests

More extensive documentation

Specific payer requirements for procedures and medications

Outsourcing allows specialty practices to avoid treatment delays, reduce revenue loss, and deliver high-quality patient care without getting bogged down by paperwork.

Choosing the Right Prior Authorization Partner

Not all outsourcing providers are created equal. To see true revenue and efficiency gains, look for vendors that offer:

Experience with your specific specialty or payer mix

A HIPAA-compliant platform and trained staff

Transparent pricing models

Real-time communication and tracking

Integration with your EHR/EMR or PM system

Conclusion: A Smart Move for Forward-Thinking Practices

Outsourcing prior authorization is no longer just a cost-cutting strategy—it’s a revenue and efficiency booster that helps your practice remain competitive, agile, and patient-focused. Whether you’re a small primary care clinic or a large specialty group, the benefits are clear: faster approvals, fewer denials, reduced admin work, and better financial outcomes.By trusting experts to handle the administrative burden of authorizations, your team can focus on what truly matters—delivering exceptional patient care and growing your practice.

[mycloudhospitality]

Empowering Hospitality with Next‑Gen Software in 2025 and Beyond

The pace of change in hospitality technology has accelerated—today’s systems aren’t just tools, but catalysts for exceptional guest experiences, operational agility, and long-term profitability. Whether you're managing a chain of resorts or a boutique city inn, here’s a comprehensive look at the software pillars that every forward-thinking hotel needs to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

1. A Unified, Cloud-Native Property Management System (PMS)

At the core of any modern hotel operation lies the PMS. But the bar for today’s PMS is higher: it must be:

In short, the PMS must act as the central nervous system of your operations—comprehensive, interconnected, and secure.

2. Channel Management & Real-Time Distribution

With inventory spread across OTAs, direct booking channels, GDS systems, and third-party agents, maintaining up-to-the-minute availability and pricing is paramount. A channel management tool helps by:

By ensuring your digital storefront is cohesive and responsive, your property can increase visibility without compromising accuracy.

3. Integrated Point-of-Sale Systems

Hospitality isn’t limited to room nights—restaurants, bars, spas, mini-bars, and event venues all contribute to your bottom line. A modern POS must:

By bridging POS and PMS, hotels ensure billing accuracy, operational efficiency, and improved guest satisfaction.

4. AI‑Powered Revenue & Pricing Intelligence

In an era defined by data, your pricing strategy must be fluid and nuanced. AI-driven revenue platforms:

Rather than relying on manual rate adjustments, hotels in 2025 need automated, responsive systems.

5. Contactless & Mobile Guest Tools

Guest preferences have evolved: convenience is no longer optional—it’s expected. Leading technologies include:

These innovations do more than reduce friction—they empower staff to focus on human moments.

6. Deep CRM & Guest Personalization

Once a guest checks in, intelligent CRM systems begin collecting data—preferences, spending behavior, past visits—to:

The goal: each guest feels known, valued, and treated as more than a reservation.

7. Smart Housekeeping & Maintenance Management

Operational efficiency begins behind the scenes. Technology helps with:

Systems like hotelkit—a SaaS module for housekeeping and facilities—are gaining traction, especially in international hotel groups.

8. Analytics, BI & Operational Dashboards

Modern systems ingest data from all departments to surface insights, such as:

Analytics become the threads tying together revenue, operations, and guest satisfaction—fueling better decisions daily.

9. Security, Privacy & Compliance

Handling guest IDs, payments, and preferences requires stringent data governance:

With rising cyber risks, software must be trustworthy and resilient—always.

10. Ecosystem Compatibility & Open APIs

Your tech stack should avoid vendor lock-in:

An interoperable ecosystem means flexibility: assemble best‑in‑class tools, adapt over time, and pivot as guest trends shift.

Emerging Tech & Trends to Watch

Why This Matters: Tangible Impact

Implementing a Winning Tech Strategy

Conclusion

In 2025, hospitality software is far more than operational support—it’s a strategic asset. The right combination of modern PMS, intelligent revenue engines, seamless integration, guest-centric tools, CRM, analytics, and security provides a foundation not just to operate, but to differentiate and lead.

By embracing cloud-first, AI-enhanced, mobile-enabled, and interoperable platforms, hotel operators can create intuitive experiences for guests, efficient workflows for staff, and a revenue engine that reacts instantly to market dynamics.

Bold, connected, data-informed, and guest-centric: that’s the shape of hospitality excellence in 2025—and it starts with investing in the right software ecosystem.