Sync'ing Your Browsing Experience on Mobile Devices
Where ever you go, there you are. And you'd want your browser settings with you. Google Chrome makes it easy to sync your browser settings across mobile devices.
In my consulting practice, I spend a great deal of time trying to show my clients how to securely access their email, contacts, calendars, and files on mobile devices. As a Google for Work Partner, I show them how Google Apps for Work anywhere, at any time, on any device. That's the benefit of working with an Apps Partner: Partners have the knowledge to ease the transition to cloud computing as well as the experience to make the most of it.
One overlooked benefit of cloud computing is synchronizing the browsing experience. When you're using a browser on your desktop computer, you're constantly entering information. Over time, that information gets cached (stored) in the browser's memory so it becomes easier to re-enter that information. The data just pops-up when it's requested. Things like form fields (names, addresses, telephone numbers), user login names and passwords, credit card numbers, and the like. Users will also install extensions that enhance their browsing experience; users will create bookmarks and favorite websites within the browser; the browser keeps a running history of the last pages that were visited so you can easily go back to something that you were looking at earlier. All of these capabilities ease the browsing experience and extend a degree of convenience to the user.
Well, why can't you take that experience with you? That's the idea behind Google Chrome. Chrome is Google's browser and it attempts to synchronize all of this information on any device that you use. On Android devices, Chrome is installed by default; on iPhones and iPads, Chrome can be downloaded from the App Store. Once you sign in, Google synchronizes all of that data to your mobile device, and, if changes are made on the mobile device, those changes are shared to your other computers running Chrome.
And don't worry: it's secure. This data is transmitted and stored encrypted on every device, and every user has the capability to remotely de-authorize devices and delete that data from their Google Account dashboard.
Even better, as a part of Google App's Mobile Device Management (MDM) features, small businesses have access to implementing Chrome Cloud Policies that allow us to implement technical restrictions and rules for how web browsing and content is accessed within the context of an organization.
So why do this browser sync stuff?
Well, it saves time. It adds convenience. With MDM, we can increase security and reduce risk. It makes it easier to take the web with you. In the context of small business, it can reduce learning curves and training costs for using web-based applications because it distributes the same experience across multiple devices; it increases productivity; it diminishes the cost of support. Simply put, browser synchronization makes it easier to get work done.
Want to know more? You're at the right place! Just get a hold of me - I'd be happy to answer your questions. Thanks for your time.
R
Technology Moves With Us
Mobility. Scale. Joy. These are the things technology projects should be doing for your small business. Is that happening for you? No? Maybe you need to rethink your strategy.
When I'm teaching, I like to get the class to consider why Apple's iPod (R) product was so successful.
The iPod was revolutionary in that it allowed us to be mobile. It conveniently offered our entire personal music library without having to haul around records, CD ROM's, or cassette tapes.
The iPod moved with us and it made us free. It made us want to dance. Well, at least that's the idea Apple wanted to project with its memorable ad line.
The success of the iPod as a technological innovation is poignant to small business in a couple of respects.
Firstly, successful tech should enable freedom of movement. The agility of a small business is enhanced with good technology and not constrained. Agility should never be compromised. If increased investments in technology force a small business to work with greater constraints that slows down processes or diminishes the consumer experience, there's no value in that implementation. Good tech lets us dance.
Secondly, successful tech should scale. Our ability to put literally thousands of songs on a tiny device speaks to the power of computing - to do more with less. If a small business invests in technology and it doesn't scale (allowing us to add more customers, transactions, content, activities, products, services, etc. without introducing additional costs), something's wrong. That's not how tech should work. All technology should provide a favorable economy of scale.
Thirdly, successful tech brings us joy. The magic of the iPod was the emotion it inspired. It allowed us to jump for joy, sprint, cry, or the power to finish a good workout. Good technology isn't just about cost savings and efficiency - good technology makes us feel. If a small business invests in technology and it inspires anger, confusion, conflict, compounds stress, or, fails to delight customers, why is it there? Why implement a tool that makes anyone feel like crap? Those feelings will only suppress adoption and effectiveness.
Mobility. Scale. Joy.
If these things aren't happening in your tech projects, we might be able to help. Give us a call.
R
Don't Mess With Stray USB Sticks
If you find a USB stick on the street, don't plug it into a computer. Its content can likely harm you. Why do you want to learn more? Because you're not stupid.
Earlier this year, an experiment was conducted. 200 unbranded USB drives were dropped in high-traffic public areas in Chicago, San Francisco, Cleveland, and Washington DC. 20-percent of those who found the USB sticks picked them up and just plugged them right in to an electronic device. The users then proceeded with clicking on files and browsing to websites.
Okay, "people are stupid" isn't necessary a newsflash but let's go ahead and say that you might not understand why this is a risky behavior and, in fact, you don't see why sticking USB sticks in computers is a problem.
USB sticks are unencrypted storage devices that are read by computers when they're "mounted", or, inserted into a USB port. When that happens, it's possible that the USB drive can deliver a virus to the computer. Further, the files found on the USB drive can be double-clicked or opened, allowing for a virus to then launch on the infected computer. Finally, browsing to websites introduced by a USB stick could also introduce a virus to your computer.
Viruses, naturally, can then steal personal private information or harm your computer system.
Why did the stupid people do this? They wanted to see if there were any naked pictures on the drive, of course, or, wanted to invade the potential privacy of others by looting their personal files. They also wanted to see how big the drive was to see if they wanted to keep it for themselves, because people are greedy pigs. And finally, they just weren't trained not to do so, or, didn't care about the potential security risk - simply ignorant. Peoples do as peoples does.
So two take-aways here:
1. Don't store your crap on USB drives. It's an insecure medium and can easily fall out of your control, leaving your data to the sex-starved, greedy, ignorant masses.
2. Don't be stupid. Don't take any unknown USB drive and stick it into a computer you own, or, your work computer. Naturally you should do it on your friends computer or you mom's or something, but if you're not going to be a jerk about it, just throw it away. Well, okay, e-recycle the thing.
R