Microsoft officially launches Windows 11 … and other tech news for small businesses this week

Here are five tech events that happened in the past week and how they’re affecting your business. Did you miss them?

1 —Microsoft launched Windows 11 last week, and here’s what you need to know about deploying the new operating system.

Last week, Microsoft released Windows 11. The new version introduces several new features such as the Appearance of the Software, allowing users to run and download Android apps on their Windows PC, enhancements and updates to Teams, etc. However, not all new features are immediately available. Rollout will continue through the middle of next year, with new devices having faster access to updates, while users of older devices should expect to wait. (Source: CNET)

Why this is important for your business:

Remember the big deal when Microsoft released a new operating system? The “start” button? »The rolling stones? The wait? OK, this is no longer the case. As a small business owner, however, you need to make sure that you upgrade to Windows 11. My recommendation has nothing to do with features or bells and whistles. It has to do with security. If you want to reduce your risk of viruses, malware, and ransomware, you need to make sure that every device on your office (and on your employees’ homes) is running the latest operating system from Microsoft with the latest security tools.

2 – What’s new in Office 2021?

Microsoft recently released Office 2021 for small businesses, students, and consumers. Some of the updates in this release consist of real-time co-authoring, the look and feel of Windows 11, the added possibility of integration with Teams, updates and improvements to Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and more icons and stock images, to name a few. (Source: Computer world)

Why this is important for your business:

Did you know that Office 2021 translates in real time? Or an integrated YouTube just for your business? Or the virtual meeting technologies that are in Zoom? Probably not. So here’s my advice: if you’re upgrading to Office 2021, shell out an extra mile and hire a Microsoft consultant or trainer to walk you through all the features of this app that you probably don’t know and that can probably help you boost your productivity. . . You own it. Use it.

3 – Google is about to enable two-factor authentication by default for millions of users.

Google last week reminded users that by the end of the year it will allow two-factor authentication for an additional 150 million accounts. An additional layer of the initiative will force more than 2 million users on YouTube to enable two-factor authentication to prevent their channels from being supported. According to Google, only 10% of active users applied two-factor authentication to their accounts in 2018 (Source: The edge)

Why this is important for your business:

Multi-factor authentication, while imperfect, has proven to be a powerful deterrent against hackers attacking your business data. Unfortunately, there are not enough individuals and small businesses implementing it. So Google is going to push this technology down our throats and you know what? They’re right. Hopefully this will increase awareness.

4 – The Aquant customer service automation platform raised $ 70 million.

Aquant– a customer service automation platform – recently raised $ 70 million in funding. The CEO of the company said the funding will be spent on accelerating product development as well as expanding its marketing, customer service and engineering teams by adding positions in Israel, Europe and in the US Aquant, which is based in New York and was founded in 2016 – strives to provide teams, representatives and leaders with solutions to service challenges by taking unstructured data and turning it into data structured. (Source: Venture out)

Why this is important for your business:

As Aquant himself writes Blog:

_{“When you take a deep look at your KPIs, you start to spot other factors that can make your customer feel like they’re happy when they aren’t. For example, imagine that one of your star technicians retires. has been running a large account for years, and the KPIs indicate A + service. A less experienced technician inherits the account, but due to a lack of experience the KPIs started to decrease and the customer calls with a complaint. When you take the 12-month average review, you can’t pinpoint exactly where the problem is because the data is now skewed. ”}

Aquant’s AI-powered technology leverages data to educate its users about potential customer service issues… and opportunities. Big business is taking advantage of this stuff right now. But it will soon be commonplace for small businesses in the not-so-distant future.

5 — Amazon would be working on a refrigerator that tracks what’s inside.

According to recent reports, Amazon has developed a smart refrigerator that will be able to help consumers reorder missing items. The technology, similar to that used by Amazon in its Amazon Go stores, would allow the refrigerator to monitor the products inside and track your shopping habits. If the items you buy often run out, you will receive a refrigerator notification and you will be provided with an easy way to place an order. Amazon plans to make the refrigerator itself (Source: Committed)

Why this is important for your business:

Everything, even a refrigerator, can be turned into a smart device thanks to the Internet of Things. Even your products. Or your equipment. Or your vehicles. At the very least, you’ll at least know who is stealing your lunch from the employee break room.