Macro Systems Blog

Virtual reality (VR) is a technology that usually leaves people uncertain. More and more people have experienced it recently and the question keeps popping up whether or not VR is going to be a useful tool for businesses. 

Over the past several years, it has come to the attention of people in numerous industries that there is going to be a time, very soon, where the data that needs to be stored is going to outweigh our ability to store it. In a collaboration with the University of Southampton in England, Microsoft has taken aim at this very problem and has come up with some innovative solutions. 

Microsoft created the Teams platform with the aim of enhancing collaboration among individuals. The rise of remote collaboration has been ongoing for several years, and the COVID-19 pandemic solidified its place as a standard feature in business operations. Recently, Microsoft has introduced several enhancements to the platform to further augment its functionality.

Laptops are no longer exclusive to the home and work environments; more and more schools and universities are adopting laptops and other educational technology for the purposes of delivering cutting-edge instruction. Chromebooks are just one option available, if not the most cost-effective one out there. However, this leads to a unique set of problems, especially when the software powering these devices reaches its end of life.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is quite controversial at the moment, but there can be no denying that it will play an imperative part in the business world in the years to come. In fact, many organizations are seeking to expand their AI offerings and capabilities, including notable companies like Microsoft. Listed below are some of the solutions Microsoft is offering businesses in terms of AI.

The cloud has allowed managed IT service providers, or MSPs, to fill a uniquely shaped void in many companies’ business models. Working with a managed service provider can make up for all of the traditional challenges of technology maintenance and management while also affording you unique opportunities to limit costs, reduce waste, and increase productivity.

Mobile devices like smartphones have become synonymous with productivity, helping people to get work done while on-the-move, yet in the same breath, you could say they are synonymous with distraction. That being said, with the right practices and the right apps you can mitigate these challenges and be quite productive with a smartphone. 

When a business strikes a deal, there is usually some sort of paper trail or contract involved to hold both parties involved accountable. That being said, the traditional method of managing paper documents is both time-consuming and wasteful. With eSignature tools, businesses can change the way they handle signing documents for the better.

Professional sports has witnessed a significant shift in the way teams and organizations approach their strategies. Gone are the days when gut instinct and intuition were the sole driving forces behind decisions. Modern sports are increasingly relying on analytics to gain a competitive edge. Listed below is a look at the growing influence of analytics in sports and the ways in which data-driven insights have revolutionized the game.

Modern technology can be utilized to help optimize and elevate just about any of your business’ processes, including your sales processes. Listed below are a few examples of how your sales team could (and really should) be using tech to their advantage.

Foldable phones saw a very slow start when they were introduced a few years ago; high prices and horror stories about their fragility scaring away all but the earliest of early adopters. That being said, thanks to an enthusiastic fanbase, the concept has persisted and has become a legitimate option amongst flagship devices. 

Listed below are some of the predictions that have been made surrounding the future of the foldable smartphone market, and why business users might be drawn to the flexible form factor. 

Having an efficient and reliable point of sale (POS) system is essential for any retail or hospitality establishment. A robust POS system provides numerous benefits that can streamline the operations of the business and enhance customer and worker experiences. Listed below are some of the main benefits of integrating a robust POS system in your business. 

With the release of the 2023 edition of their annual Work Trend Index report, dedicated to exploring the topic of Will AI Fix Work?, Microsoft took a deep dive into the impact that artificial intelligence will have on the workplace in the future. This report ultimately resulted in three major conclusions, which we felt we should help amplify and contextualize.

One way companies attempt to save money is via automating certain processes and tasks that have traditionally been time-consuming or monotonous for their workforce. When implemented appropriately, automation can cut costs, streamline operations, and enhance quality of life for workers. That being said, just because a task can be automated doesn’t necessarily mean that it should be automated. Listed below is a look at the arguments for and against automation in these contexts.

It's not unusual for today's businesses to turn more and more often to “green” technologies, partially due to the reduced environmental impacts that come with their use, and partially due to the operational advantages that many of these technologies also bring. Listed below are some of the options that even smaller businesses can embrace that bring these kinds of mutual benefits.

There’s no denying that running a successful business comes with its fair share of costs, and many would argue that some of these costs are anything but fair. As such, it makes sense to try and minimize your operating expenses by any sustainable means. Let’s go over one such cost-saving measure you can implement—Bring Your Own Device policies—and address how to do so without shortchanging your organization's security in the process.

There is a lot of misinformation and misperceptions related to network security out there, especially concerning small businesses. In particular, browser security is one aspect where many individuals’ knowledge simply falls flat, and they buy into myths that put their data at risk. Listed below is an attempt clear up some of these misconceptions so you can go about your day in a more secure way.

Since the Windows 95 operating system, Microsoft has been separately publishing 15 free utilities to add significant capabilities intended to help a user make some small tweaks and adjustments in a relatively safe way, as compared to what would otherwise be necessary to make these changes. Microsoft PowerToys are still available; what some of them can do and how you should go about getting these tools is listed below.

We spend a lot of time working with the technology that businesses depend on, including the laptop workstations utilized by just about everyone in many modern organizations. As such, listed below are some of our insights so that you know what qualities you should look for when you’re ready to acquire some additional devices for your organization.

It seems that you can’t turn your head these days without seeing artificial intelligence being incorporated into some software or platform. That being said, many leaders in the technology space have conveyed their concerns about the “profound risks to society and humanity” that AI poses, outlined in an open letter.