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https www rich9 net client ( MENAFN - Robotics & automation News) How to Effortlessly Manage IT Assets with the Right Tools? Even an average person, let alone an entrepreneur or a specialist, heavily relies on several digital tools. Sure, there's a tool or two that you use regularly, but for a lot of them, subscriptions may be quite complex. While some subscriptions are made monthly, others require paying for a quarter or a full year upfront. Even if they don't require it, they might incentivize you by offering you a significantly better deal. So, you paid last fall, but did you pay in October or November? If this happened a year ago, chances are that you just don't know. Then, there are updates. You get a pop-up to update in the middle of an important project. Of course, you won't refresh your browser or restart your device right now; you'll do it later. What if you forget or get a pop-up at another bad moment? Wouldn't it be great just to have a system to help you with all these digital assets? Well, why not develop one? Here are a few tips to help you do it! Start by making a list of all the software you use. It's surprisingly easy to lose track of your tools, especially when juggling multiple subscriptions, free trials, or apps downloaded on a whim. A comprehensive list gives you a clear snapshot of what's actually helping you and what's just taking up space. Start with basic work-related tools. Begin by identifying the core software you rely on daily – think email platforms, task managers, or accounting tools. These are the lifelines of your productivity. Once you've got those down, you can start sorting through the extras to see what's truly adding value to your work. Keep up with the latest similar tools and reevaluate. The tech world doesn't wait for anyone, and tools that were cutting-edge last year may already be outdated. Spend a little time exploring new options or updates to your current tools. Who knows? A simple search might reveal something faster, smarter, or cheaper than your current setup. Don't be afraid to switch these platforms. You might feel hesitant to leave a tool you're used to, but holding on to outdated software is often more disruptive in the long run. Transitioning to something better can improve efficiency and even save money. Testing a trial version first can help ease the process and ensure the change is worthwhile. Regularly conduct these audits to ensure you stay updated. It's not just about tidiness; it's about making sure your system remains optimized. For example, if you use hardware inventory software, it's worth revisiting the list of top hardware inventory software now and then. You might find something more powerful, affordable, or better suited to your evolving needs. This kind of regular check ensures you're never behind on what's available. Use software to track all digital assets. Trying to remember every tool and subscription off the top of your head isn't practical. A centralized system lets you store all the information in one place, so you don't have to dig through emails or random notes to find it when you need it. Include both software and hardware in your inventory. Many people focus solely on software, but hardware is just as important. Tracking items like laptops, external drives, or even chargers helps you stay on top of what you own and reduces unnecessary purchases or last-minute replacements. Categorize assets based on purpose and priority. Grouping your tools by function – like communication, productivity, or design – makes it easier to see what you rely on most. Prioritizing ensures you know which assets are crucial to your workflow and which ones you could live without if necessary. Keep records of subscription renewal dates. Missing a renewal can disrupt your workflow, and forgetting to cancel unused tools wastes money. By logging renewal dates in your system, you can plan ahead, ensure uninterrupted service, and avoid unnecessary charges for tools you no longer use. Ensure access permissions are well-defined. Security is key when managing IT assets, especially when working with a team. Assigning who has access to what helps maintain order, prevent unauthorized use, and protect sensitive information. This level of organization keeps your system efficient and secure. Use tools that schedule automatic updates. Updating your software takes time and can be easily forgotten, exposing you to potential security vulnerabilities. Automation tools take the hassle out of the process by handling updates in the background. You can set these tools to check for updates regularly and apply them without requiring manual input. Ensure compatibility before installing updates. While automation is helpful, not every update is immediately compatible with your existing tools and systems. Skipping this step could result in crashes or conflicts, which might slow you down even more than staying outdated. Always check release notes and test updates in a controlled environment before rolling them out. Set update windows to avoid disruptions. Nobody likes a pop-up asking for a reboot in the middle of an important project. To prevent this, schedule updates during non-working hours or downtime. This way, your productivity isn't interrupted, and you can still enjoy the benefits of a fully updated system. Prioritize critical updates to reduce vulnerabilities. Some updates are purely cosmetic, while others fix serious security flaws. Focusing on the latter ensures your tools remain secure and functional without overwhelming your system with unnecessary changes. Automated tools often allow you to customize this priority. Monitor update success through automation logs. Even with automation, you need oversight. Logs provide a record of completed updates, any failures, and potential issues. Reviewing these regularly helps you catch problems early, ensuring that your systems stay secure and operate smoothly without surprises. Track active licenses and their expiration dates. Keeping tabs on yoru licenses prevents you from accidentally losing access to essential tools. A missed renewal can throw off your entire workflow, so maintaining a record ensures you always stay ahead of upcoming deadlines and avoid unnecessary downtime. Consolidate subscriptions to avoid redundancy. It's easy to sign up for multiple tools that essentially do the same thing, especially when exploring new options. By consolidating yoru subscriptions, you save money and reduce complexity. For instance, switching to a suite of tools that covers several functions can eliminate overlap and streamline processes. Evaluate team usage to avoid unnecessary spending. Not every member of your team needs access to every tool. Assess how often licenses are being used and consider downgrading or relocating them if usage is low. This helps cut costs while ensuring your team has the tools they need without excess. Negotiate renewal terms for better deals. When it's time to renew a license, don't just accept the default terms. Reach out to providers and negotiate – many companies offer discounts for long-term commitments or multi-user packages. You could end up saving a significant amount just by asking. Use license management software for accurate tracking. Managing everything manually leaves room for error. Specialized tools simplify this process by centralizing your licenses, sending renewal reminders, and even providing usage analytics. This level of detail ensures you're always on top of your licenses and making informed decisions. Install antivirus and endpoint protection tools. Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and you need robust tools to protect your IT assets. Antivirus software and endpoint protection provide a strong first line of defense, safeguarding against malware, phishing attacks, and other threats that could compromise your systems. Use strong passwords and enforce regular changes. Weak passwords are an open invitation to hackers. Create strong, unique passwords for each account and set policies requiring regular updates. Password managers can simplify this process, ensuring that security doesn't come at the cost of convenience. Implement multi-factor authentication for sensitive tools. Passwords alone aren't always enough to keep your data safe. Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of protection by requiring a second verification step, like a code sent to your phone. This drastically reduces the risk of unauthorized access. Critical data and software settings should be regularly backed up. No system is completely foolproof, so backups are essential. Whether on cloud storage or external drives, regular backups ensure you can recover quickly from data loss, ransomware attacks, or system failures without significant downtime. Train employees on cybersecurity best practices. Even the most secure systems can be compromised by human error. Educating your team on recognizing phishing attempts, handling sensitive data, and following security protocols helps create a culture of vigilance and minimizes the risk of breaches. Effortlessly managing IT assets doesn't mean avoiding the work; it means using smarter tools and strategies to make the work manageable. Whether you're auditing your software, automating updates, or standardizing procurement, these methods save time and reduce frustration. Moreover, staying proactive with security and performance ensures your tools serve you effectively. By Srdjan Gombar : Veteran content writer, published author, and amateur boxer. Srdjan has a Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature and is passionate about technology, pop culture, and self-improvement. In his free time, he reads, watches movies, and plays Super Mario Bros. with his son. MENAFN20122024005532012229ID1109018671 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Ruble's Plunge Signals Trouble for Russian Economy

Herbert tosses 3 TD passes and Chargers secure a playoff spot with a 40-7 rout of Patriots FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Justin Herbert threw three touchdown passes and the Los Angeles Chargers clinched their second playoff appearance in three seasons with a 40-7 victory over the New England Patriots. The win also secured the fourth postseason appearance in Jim Harbaugh’s five seasons as an NFL coach, adding to the three he made during his stint with tAshe San Francisco 49ers. Herbert finished 26 of 38 for 281 yards to become the third player in NFL history with at least 3,000 passing yards and 20 touchdown passes in each of his first five seasons. The Patriots have lost six straight games, their second such losing streak of the season. They are now 2-14 the last two seasons at home. Dallas' Naji Marshall gets 4-game suspension, Phoenix's Jusuf Nurkic is banned 3 games for fight The NBA has suspended Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall for four games and Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic for three games for their roles in an on-court fight during Friday night’s game. Dallas forward P.J. Washington was suspended for one game. All of the suspensions are without pay. Nurkic was called for an offensive foul while being guarded by Daniel Gafford with 9:02 left in the third quarter before the altercation quickly escalated. Nurkic confronted Marshall before taking an open-handed swing at his head and then Marshall responded with a punch. Washington quickly shoved Nurkic to the ground before the teams were separated. The NBA said Marshall “attempted to further engage Nurkic in a hostile manner in the corridor outside the locker rooms.” Shohei Ohtani to become a father for the 1st time in 2025 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shohei Ohtani is adding a newcomer to his family lineup. The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar has posted on his Instagram account that he and wife Mamiko Tanaka are expecting a baby in 2025. The photo shows the couple's beloved dog, Decoy, as well as a pink ruffled onesie along with baby shoes and a sonogram that is covered by a baby emoji. Ohtani announced in February that he had married Tanaka, a former professional basketball player from his native Japan. The news from the intensely private player stunned Ohtani's teammates and his fans. Eli Manning and Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning, former Defensive Players of the Year Luke Kuechly and Terrell Suggs, and prolific tight end Antonio Gates are among the finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. The Hall on Saturday announced the names of the 15 modern-era finalists who advanced from a group of 25 to the final stage of voting. The selection committee will vote next month to pick the class of between three and five modern-era players that will be announced the week of the Super Bowl. Georgia QB Carson Beck announces plan to enter NFL draft after season-ending elbow injury Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has announced his plans to enter the NFL draft, five days after having season-ending elbow surgery. The fifth-year senior made his NFL plans official on social media. Beck suffered a right elbow injury in the first half of the Bulldogs’ 22-19 overtime win over Texas in the Southeastern Conference championship game on Dec. 7. Beck had surgery on Monday to repair his ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow. He is expected to begin throwing next spring. Backup Gunner Stockton will make his first start in the Sugar Bowl against Notre Dame on Wednesday. Colts QB Anthony Richardson ruled out for Sunday's game against the Giants EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Indianapolis quarterback Anthony Richardson has been ruled out for the Colts’ big game at the New York Giants on Sunday. Richardson missed practice on Thursday and Friday because of back and foot injuries. He was listed as questionable before he was downgraded to out. Indianapolis has a slim chance of making the playoffs. The Colts need to win out and get some help. Richardson’s absence likely means Joe Flacco will start against New York. Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. And people began showing up almost immediately. Mavs star Luka Doncic is latest pro athlete whose home was burglarized, business manager says DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks is the latest professional athlete whose home has been burglarized. The star guard’s business manager tells multiple media outlets there was a break-in at Doncic’s home Friday night. Lara Beth Seager says nobody was home, and Doncic filed a police report. The Dallas Morning News reports that jewelry valued at about $30,000 was stolen. Doncic is the sixth known pro athlete in the U.S. whose home was burglarized since October. Star NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City and Joe Burrow of Cincinnati are among them. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to players over the break-ins. Notre Dame's Danny Nelson scores twice, defending champ US beats Latvia 5-1 in world junior hockey OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Notre Dame forward Danny Nelson scored twice, Western Michigan’s Hampton Slukynsky made 25 saves and the defending champion United States beat Latvia 5-1 on Saturday in the world junior hockey championship. The United States improved to 2-0 in Group A play, while Latvia dropped to 1-1 a day after stunning Canada with a 3-2 victory in a shootout. Boston College’s Ryan Leonard, Denver’s Zeev Buium and Minnesota Duluth’s Max Plante also scored for the Americans. They will be back in action Sunday at Canadian Tire Centre against Finland, then close group play Tuesday night against Canada. In the only other game of the day, Czechia beat Kazakhstan 14-2 in Group B. Matej Mastalirsky, Vojtech Hradec and Jakub Stancl had hat tricks. Panthers place 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard on IR for final 2 games with strained calf CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers have shut down leading rusher Chuba Hubbard for the final two games of the season because of a strained calf. He was placed on injured reserve Saturday. Hubbard was limited in practice Friday with a knee injury and was listed as questionable to play Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After practice, Hubbard complained of pain and had an MRI, which revealed a grade two calf strain, according to the team. Hubbard ran for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He becomes the third Panthers running back to be placed on injured reserve this season, joining Miles Sanders and rookie Jonathan Brooks.Official visits with Mrs. B to China, India and the Soviet UnionOn the flip side, Fan Luyuan, a seasoned expert in power plant engineering, takes a more pragmatic approach to innovation. With a keen focus on operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness, Fan Luyuan advocates for the use of advanced control systems and predictive maintenance tools to maximize the performance of existing power plants. By fine-tuning processes and reducing waste, he aims to minimize environmental impact while ensuring reliable power supply for communities.

Top German newspaper editor quits over Musk op-edJulian Reese delivered 23 points and 11 rebounds as sluggish Maryland pulled away late in a 81-66 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore on Saturday in College Park, Md. Derik Queen provided 18 points and 14 rebounds while Ja'Kobi Gillespie added nine points and as many assists as the Terrapins (11-2) improved to 19-0 all-time against the Hawks, with all of the wins coming by double-digit margins. In the final nonconference game for both teams, the Terrapins' Selton Miguel had 10 points and Jordan Geronimo added nine off the bench. Playing for the first time in seven days, Maryland never trailed but struggled to pull away from UMES (4-12). Ketron Shaw paced Maryland Eastern Shore with 20 points and nine rebounds. Evan Johnson scored 15 points and Christopher Flippin added 14 points and six boards for the Hawks of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, who are 0-12 against Division I schools this year. UMES kept in close in the first half as Maryland missed its first eight shots from 3-point range. The Terps held a 19-17 lead when Rodney Rice ended the drought with a corner 3 with 6:38 left in the half. About a minute later, Geronimo drained another from the same spot on the floor. In the final 53 seconds of the period, Reese wheeled inside for a three-point play, then DeShawn Harris-Smith added a buzzer-beating trey from the top of the key as Maryland took a 40-24 lead at the break. In the second half, the Hawks kept it close as Shaw continued to score in the open floor and Johnson drained a pair of 3-pointers. When Flippin made a pair of free throws with 10:08 left, he cut the Terrapins' lead to 54-48. But that's as close as the Hawks got as Maryland answered with three quick baskets. In the final 8:11, Gillespie and Miguel made 3-pointers and the duo combined on a fast break, with Gillespie feeding Miguel for a 3-point play that gave the Terrapins their biggest lead, 81-58, with 2:26 left. --Field Level Media

Former Presidential Candidate Marianne Williamson Launches Bid for DNC ChairAs the new season approaches, all eyes will be on Beijing Guoan as they embark on a new chapter under the leadership of the former Barcelona head coach. Expectations are high, but with the coach's expertise and the team's talent, there is a sense of optimism and confidence that success is within reach.According to insider sources, a heated confrontation erupted between Barcelona's star striker Robert Lewandowski and 7 local players within the team. The dispute, said to have been sparked by disagreements over tactics and leadership, quickly escalated into a full-blown argument, casting a shadow over the already fragile team dynamics.

As the transfer window looms large on the footballing horizon, all eyes are on the gunman as he continues his pursuit of Brazilian footballing talent. With the potential to transform his team's midfield into a formidable force to be reckoned with, the stakes are high, but the rewards could be even greater.Police in Suriname Thursday said they had launched a major probe into the death of former president Desi Bouterse, the details surrounding the mysterious emergence of his body at his closely monitored home, where exactly he was hiding and who was protecting him since he fled from justice in mid-January. Stay Connected to the Caribbean Bouterse, 79 was pronounced dead by a doctor at his riverside home on Christmas Day, nearly a year after he had disappeared into hiding hours before he was scheduled to surrender to authorities to begin a 20-year mass murder sentence. The local police, the KPS, said in a social media statement that a criminal investigation is underway and numerous persons are being questioned. The force said it is particularly interested in determining how his body was transported “from an unknown address by unknown persons” to his home in Leonsberg in the capital where relatives, supporters and the leadership of his National Democratic Party (NDP) had gathered to mourn and comfort each other. Police said they were informed before daybreak on Christmas Day that the former military strongman who had staged military coups in 1980 and 1990 and had served two terms as an elected president until 2020, had died and that they were invited to view his remains at his home. How the body got there remains a mystery to frustrated authorities but the police said they then summoned a doctor who pronounced him dead. “According to the doctor, the body showed no signs of foul play and, after consultation with the public prosecution service, was seized for an autopsy to determine the probable cause of death,” the KPS said. “The Suriname police force makes an urgent appeal to society to await the results of the investigation and to refrain from speculation.” His death, five months before general elections are due, came just days after police had stepped up raids at places they believed were linked to Bouterse and as a French newspaper had reported that Bouterse had been hiding out the Commewijne District across the Paramaribo harbor and not in Venezuela as was widely speculated. Bouterse is from that general area. Meanwhile, Waterkant News publication said it had been reliably informed that the death was reported to the Bouterse family “by an unknown indigenous man” but no one can say exactly who the person is. As word spread throughout the country, NDP leaders began arriving at the home before daybreak to view the body, wrapped in a white sheet in a wooden coffin. Viewers were banned from using mobile phones. Police had questioned former first lady Ingrid Bouterse about his hiding place but she maintained ignorance about such details. As the probe continues, a condolence book has been opened from Thursday afternoon for signing at NDP headquarters. As a highly controversial period in local history comes to a close, some regional leaders and political colleagues are reacting to his death. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley said Bouterse had a strong and dominant persona. “I have met many people since I took office as head of government in May 2018. But some people have a personality that is so powerful that they leave an indelible impression on everyone they come into contact with,” Mottley said of the former military dictator. “Whether you agreed with him or not, you could not ignore the power of his personality. Desi Bouterse, former president of the Republic of Suriname, dominated Surinamese politics for four decades. It was through his eyes and heart that I came to know the rich culture of this melting pot country on the South American continent. That was how my love for Suriname and its people began,” she said.

It would be an understatement to say that Palantir Technologies ( PLTR 6.22% ) stock has been in fine form on the market in 2024, as shares of the software platform specialist have shot up a stunning 290% so far this year as of this writing. The past month alone has been a terrific one for Palantir investors as the stock has zoomed 62% since releasing its third-quarter results on Nov. 4. Artificial intelligence (AI) has played a defining role in this red-hot rally as enterprises and governments have been flocking to Palantir to help them integrate generative AI into their operations, helping the company accelerate its growth and build a robust revenue pipeline. Wall Street, however, isn't expecting Palantir stock to sustain its momentum in 2025. Let's see why. Palantir Technologies' valuation is too rich right now The 20 analysts covering Palantir have a one-year price target of $38 on the stock. That points toward a 43% drop from current levels. Another thing worth noting is that 35% of the analysts recommend selling Palantir stock. Half of them have a "hold" rating, while only 15% recommend buying it. Moreover, the Street-high price target of $75 suggests that Palantir stock could jump only 12% from where it is right now in the next year. The valuation is one of the main reasons why analysts aren't projecting much upside in Palantir stock. After all, Palantir is now trading at a whopping 62 times sales. Its trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at 342. While the forward earnings multiple of 137 points toward an improvement in its bottom line, it is still very rich. It is worth noting that these multiples are way higher than AI pioneer Nvidia , a company that has been growing at a much faster pace than Palantir. For instance, Nvidia's revenue in its latest quarter increased an impressive 94% year over year to $35.1 billion. Its earnings, meanwhile, jumped 103% to $0.81 per share. Palantir, on the other hand, reported a 30% increase in revenue in Q3 to $726 million. The company's adjusted earnings increased by 43% from the year-ago period to $0.10 per share. Of course, this is not an ideal comparison as Nvidia is primarily a hardware company that's also finding success in AI software , while Palantir is a pure-play software provider. However, the fact that Nvidia is growing at a much faster pace despite its bigger size and is trading at a much lower 32 times forward earnings when compared to Palantir makes the former a much more logical AI stock to invest in right now. Moreover, Palantir's valuation puts it at risk of a major sell-off in case there are any cracks in its growth story, which means that it will have to continue delivering stronger growth quarter after quarter to justify its rich multiples. Is 2025 going to be a difficult year for this AI stock? While there is no doubt that Palantir's valuation suggests that the stock may have run ahead of itself, there are a few things that are working in the company's favor and could be tailwinds for the stock next year. First, Palantir's revenue growth rate has improved in each quarter of 2024. Its top line was up 21% year over year in Q1, followed by a 27% increase in Q2. We have already seen that it clocked a 30% revenue jump last quarter, driven by the robust demand for the company's AI software platform. The second reason why Palantir may be able to sustain its impressive rally is the impressive growth in its customer count and deal size, which are allowing it to build a healthy long-term revenue pipeline. More specifically, there was a 39% increase in Palantir's customer count last quarter. The number of $1 million deals signed by the company increased to 104 from 80 in the year-ago period. As a result, the remaining deal value (RDV) of Palantir's contracts increased by 22% to $4.5 billion last quarter. Considering that this metric refers to the total remaining value of contracts the company was sitting on at the end of the quarter, its impressive growth suggests that Palantir is in a position to keep growing its revenue at a nice pace in the long run. The third reason why Palantir may still seem attractive to growth investors is its strong unit economics. The company's non-GAAP operating margin in Q3 stood at 38%, up from 29% in the same period last year. Unit economics refers to the profit made by a company from each customer or product it sells after deducting expenses. Favorable unit economics suggest that Palantir is making more money from its customers now, and that's not surprising. In the company's November earnings conference call , management gave several examples of its customers expanding their contracts after signing up to use its solutions. That trend could continue in the future as the AI software platforms market is currently in its early phases of growth. IDC forecasts that the spending on AI software platforms could jump from $27.9 billion in 2023 to $153 billion in 2028. As a result, the adoption of Palantir's offerings is likely to improve further in the long run, and its strong unit economics should ideally allow it to maintain its impressive earnings growth. The above factors explain why analysts have increased their earnings growth expectations from Palantir for 2025 and 2026. PLTR EPS Estimates for Next Fiscal Year data by YCharts If Palantir manages to continue outperforming analysts' expectations over the next year and attains stronger levels of revenue and earnings growth, there is a good chance that it may be able to justify its valuation and head higher in 2025. Conservative investors, however, would do well to look at other options if they are looking to capitalize on the AI boom, as Palantir's expensive valuation makes it prone to volatility.