Technology

In this post, we’ll delve even deeper into how technology is transforming the stock market. From automated trading systems to artificial intelligence and big data analytics, we’ll explore each technology’s impact on the stock market and what it means for investors like you. The future of investing is here, and it’s driven by technology. Let’s take a glimpse into where investing is headed.

Automated Trading Systems

Automated trading systems (ATS) are a game-changer in the world of stock market investing. Essentially, an ATS is a computer program that uses specific rules to execute trades automatically. Think of it like a robotic trader!

One major perk of using ATS is that it takes the human emotion out of trading. Fear, greed, and hope can all influence our decision-making process when it comes to investing, but not for an ATS! Since it operates on a set of rules, this means faster and better-informed decisions.

Another advantage is speed. With ATS, traders can enter and exit trades at lightning-fast speeds – essential in fast-moving markets where every second counts. But be warned: while speed can lead to higher profits, it can also result in more significant losses if not managed correctly. 

High-Frequency Trading

High-frequency trading (HFT) is a type of automated trading that uses sophisticated algorithms to execute trades in milliseconds. It’s essentially like having a super-fast robot trader that can buy and sell stocks faster than you can blink. The speed advantage of HFT enables traders to profit from small price differences between different exchanges, buying low and selling high almost instantaneously.

One of the advantages of HFT is that it enhances liquidity in the market. HFT firms usually function as market makers, which means they provide bids and offers for stocks, ensuring that there is always a buyer or seller in the market. This liquidity can help to stabilize prices and make it easier for investors to buy and sell shares.

However, some critics have raised concerns about the potential downsides of HFT. The speed and volume of trades can cause sudden price changes, leading to market volatility. Plus, HFT could concentrate market power in the hands of a few large firms – creating potential risks for the wider financial system. So, while HFT has its advantages, it’s crucial to balance these benefits against potential risks if we want a fair and stable stock market. 

Also read: How many stocks should I own for an ideal portfolio

Mobile Technology

Mobile technology has revolutionized the way investors approach the stock market. Thanks to smartphones and tablets, investors can now access real-time market data, execute trades, and manage their portfolios from anywhere in the world. This accessibility has made the stock market more convenient and user-friendly for investors of all levels.

One of the key advantages of mobile technology is its ability to provide investors with instant access to real-time market information. With stock apps like Robinhood and E-trade, investors can view stock prices, track market trends, and monitor their portfolios from their mobile devices. This up-to-the-minute access to information empowers investors to make informed decisions and respond quickly to changes in the market.

Mobile technology has also simplified the process of executing trades. With mobile trading apps, investors can buy and sell stocks directly from their mobile devices without needing a computer or broker. This convenience has made it easier for novice investors to enter the stock market without relying on traditional brokerage services.

However, one significant concern associated with mobile technology is security risks. As mobile devices become increasingly popular for trading stocks, there is a risk that sensitive financial information could be compromised through security breaches. Additionally, some worry that the ease of mobile trading could lead to impulsive investments.

E-Commerce and Online Trading

E-commerce has disrupted traditional retail by providing customers with a convenient and efficient way to shop online. In recent years, e-commerce has also disrupted the stock market by providing new investment opportunities in companies such as Amazon and Shopify.

Amazon, founded in 1994, has grown into one of the world’s largest e-commerce companies, offering a wide range of products and services, including its popular Prime membership program. Amazon stock has been one of the best-performing in the market, rising from $18 per share in 1997 to over $3,000 per share in 2021.

These companies have been able to disrupt traditional retail by providing customers with a more convenient and efficient way to shop, and have also disrupted the stock market by providing investors with new opportunities to invest in e-commerce. With the growth of e-commerce expected to continue, we can expect to see more opportunities for investors in this sector in the coming years.

Artificial Intelligence

One of the primary ways that AI technology has impacted the stock market is through algorithmic trading. This involves using computer programs to automatically execute trades based on pre-determined rules and criteria. These algorithms can analyze large amounts of data quickly and respond to changes in the market faster than human traders, leading to greater efficiency and profitability.

Another area where AI has made an impact is in portfolio management. By analyzing historical market trends and other relevant data, AI-powered portfolio management systems can suggest optimal asset allocation strategies for investors. Additionally, these systems can monitor portfolios in real-time and make automatic adjustments based on changing market conditions.

AI-powered chatbots have also become popular in the finance industry, providing investors with quick access to information about their investments. Chatbots can answer common questions about stocks, provide real-time updates on portfolio performance, and even offer personalized investment advice based on an individual’s risk tolerance and financial goals.

However, there are concerns about the impact of AI technology on the stock market. Some worry that reliance on algorithms could lead to increased volatility or even a “flash crash” caused by automated trading systems reacting too quickly to changes in the market.

Despite these risks, it’s clear that AI technology has significant potential benefits for investors. As we continue to see advancements in machine learning and big data analytics, it’s likely that we will see even more significant impacts of AI on the stock market in the coming years.

Big Data

Big data is a term that describes the vast amounts of structured and unstructured data that are generated daily. In the stock market, big data is generated by various sources, such as stock exchanges, trading platforms, financial news websites, and social media. Big data analysis can help investors to gain valuable insights into market trends and make more informed investment decisions.

One of the primary benefits of big data analysis in the stock market is its ability to identify patterns and correlations that may not be immediately apparent. This analysis can help investors to identify potential opportunities and risks, such as changes in market sentiment or sudden price movements. Big data analysis can also help investors to understand the behavior of specific stocks, such as their response to economic events or company news.

There are also challenges associated with big data analysis in the stock market. One of the significant challenges is the sheer volume of data that needs to be processed. This can be a daunting task for investors without access to the right tools and technologies. Additionally, the quality of the data used for analysis can be a concern, as it may contain errors, biases, or other issues.

To mitigate these challenges, investors can leverage various technologies, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to analyze big data effectively. These technologies can help investors to process large amounts of data quickly and accurately, identify relevant patterns and correlations, and ultimately make more informed investment decisions.

In conclusion, big data analysis has the potential to provide valuable insights into the stock market that can help investors make more informed investment decisions. However, it is essential to be aware of the challenges associated with big data analysis, such as data volume and quality, and leverage the appropriate technologies to ensure that investors can use this technology safely and effectively.

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain technology is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. The technology was first introduced to the world through the cryptocurrency Bitcoin, but it has since been adopted in various other industries, including the stock market.

One of the primary advantages of blockchain technology in the stock market is its ability to increase transparency and security. Blockchain technology can help to eliminate the need for intermediaries, such as clearinghouses, which can reduce the risk of fraud and errors. The technology also provides a tamper-proof record of transactions that can be easily audited, increasing transparency and accountability.

Blockchain technology can also help to reduce transaction costs and time. The traditional stock market involves multiple intermediaries, each with their own fees and processing times. With blockchain technology, transactions can be processed directly and quickly, reducing transaction costs and increasing efficiency.

As the technology is relatively new, one of its challenges is that there is still uncertainty around its legal and regulatory implications. Additionally, the technology’s adoption in the stock market requires significant investment in infrastructure and collaboration among various stakeholders.

Despite all these, the potential benefits of blockchain technology in the stock market are significant. The technology can help to increase transparency, security, and efficiency while reducing transaction costs and time. As the technology continues to evolve and mature, we can expect to see more widespread adoption in the stock market and other industries.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, how technology impacts the stock market is all about how investors use it. By utilizing the right tools and strategies, investors can harness technology’s capabilities to gain valuable insights into market trends and make informed investment decisions. This can lead to greater success in the stock market and help investors stay ahead of the game. 

While there are also challenges associated with technology that must be overcome in order to fully reap its benefits, a human touch and a thoughtful approach can help investors navigate these challenges and leverage technology to their advantage in the ever-evolving world of finance.

 

This article will discuss about where do chatbots fit into a modern online marketing strategy.

The general perception of chatbots is in an interesting place. Raise the topic with someone who doesn’t follow the tech world very closely and hasn’t used a chatbot in recent years, and they’re likely to bring up weak efforts to pass the Turing test: in other words, online bots trying to feign humanity but failing miserably. It’s a dated view, but it’s still out there.

What those people haven’t noticed is how far the world of chatbots has come in a relatively short timespan. They’re now in widespread use in the business world, powered by natural language processing technology that can parse a remarkable amount of everyday talk — and they get better (and more accessible) with each passing day. The question, then, isn’t whether they’re worth using, but how you should be using them. In this post, we’re going to look at one area in particular — namely online marketing — and consider the role that chatbots have to play in today’s online world. Let’s get started.

Chatbots can provide vital direction for inbound marketing

Owing to the advances of technology, a smartphone is an ever-updating globe-sized map, and a marketing podcast doubles as an MBA in your pocket. In short, you need to do less research because vital data is at your fingertips — but what of the other actions that are often necessary for business? What of customer service, for instance? It’s certainly a core component of online marketing given the role of inbound marketing (cultivating interest from those seeking you).

To be clear, we’re talking about service of actual and prospective customers, just as dismissive treatment of a browsing shopper in a brick-and-mortar store (someone yet to buy anything from you) is still classed as part of customer service. If you have someone’s interest and you don’t take advantage of it, it can quickly fade away: the online world has plenty of distractions.

When someone finds your business site, chatbots can ensure representation regardless of the time of day (or night) and level of activity. They’re best used in a hybrid configuration through systems capable of fielding common queries but passing complex matters through to human support assistants who can capably handle them. Take the chatbot by Crisp, for example, which enables its users to build conversational ‘paths’ that route the more intricate queries to the relevant agents. 

Also read: 4 Effective App Marketing Strategies That Will Drive Installations

Chatbots can collect invaluable shopper insight

Great marketing requires broad insight into what people are looking for, because you can’t fulfill shoppers’ needs if you don’t know what they are — and chatbots are incredibly good at collecting relevant information. After all, they need to be capable of solid NLP (natural language processing, something that’s more common than you might think) to be functional at all, and the manner in which they parse the queries they receive (how serious they are, what topics they concern, etc.) can easily be recorded.

You can then review that information at your leisure and use it to bolster your general marketing campaign strategy. Throw in the ease of A/B testing through chatbots (an example: define two greetings, run them in equal numbers, and see which one performs better) and you have a fantastic option for steering your tactics.

This isn’t to say that regular support assistants can’t yield relevant insight, of course: the conversations they have can still be recorded and used for this purpose. But since their contributions can’t be as strictly regimented (even with scripts, they’ll inevitably mix things up somewhat, with typos at a minimum causing issues — HelpDesk has some useful points on this topic), they can’t be as useful when you want to run direct comparisons.

Chatbots can represent your brand on various platforms

Great inbound marketing does more than keep you covered on your website: it ensures that your brand is there wherever someone searches for it, and chatbots can do this across social media platforms in particular through widespread integrations. Through deploying your chatbots in such a manner, you can capture interest from many angles simultaneously.

Having brand ambassadors not only monitoring those channels but also responding to queries would be costly and inconvenient, particularly in this time of international retail being commonplace. You never know which time zone the next prospect might be living in, so they could reach out in the middle of your nighttime. Is it worth paying people to deal with those requests when you could simply use automation instead?

Increasingly, chatbots are also capable of multilingual interaction, meaning they can meet international users not only in their preferred time zone but also their language. For brands that operate across multiple geographies with several different languages, multilingual chatbots are pretty essential — especially since 72% of shoppers are more likely to purchase a product if it’s presented to them in their native tongue. 

Chatbots can personalize the customer experience

The majority of businesses already recognize the value of personalization when it comes to boosting customer engagement and generating leads. Nowadays, consumers expect (you might even say demand) personalized experiences when interacting with brands over the web: indeed, 80% of consumers are more likely to buy from a brand that offers a personalized experience over one which offers a generic, impersonal one.

On the one hand, chatbot software enables you to customize your messaging depending on the channel you’re interacting with your users through. For instance, you might opt for a different tone of voice — or offer alternative conversational logic — when interacting with a customer through Facebook Messenger or Instagram than you would through your own website. In this sense, chatbots enable brands to meet their customers precisely on their terms, providing tailored solutions that meld seamlessly with their preferred platforms. 

On the other hand, chatbots are also capable of tailoring solutions specifically to an individual customer based on their anticipated needs and preferences. The most sophisticated chatbots use machine learning — a subfield of AI which enables a computer program to ‘learn’ from past experiences — to store information about previous interactions with users, and use this insight to offer the most relevant solution to the user’s query. In an age where personalization is an essential element of any online marketing strategy, chatbots perform a crucial role. 

Conclusion

Wrapping up, the answer to the titular question is that they should be featured heavily at the enterprise level. The greater your business ambitions become, the more important it is that you leave no stone unturned in your effort to represent your brand — and only through the unrivaled efficiency and economy of chatbots can you achieve that in a practical way.

 

This article will discuss about the what you need to look for in a geolocation API. Let’s get started!

Introduction

Geolocation APIs are a critical component of any location-based app. They give you the ability to pinpoint the exact location of your users, which makes it easier for them to find their way around and provides valuable data for better marketing and advertising campaigns. But how do you know if an API is good or not? Here’s what you need to look for in a geolocation API:

A good geolocation API can help you build a useful and robust location-based app

Geolocation APIs are a popular way to add location-based functionality to your app. They do this by providing you with real-time access to the user’s location data, which can be used to create compelling experiences.

For example, you could use a geolocation API in your app to show users which restaurants are nearby and offer them directions or reservations through a button click. You could also use it for targeted advertising: when users are on their phones near a certain restaurant, you can show them an ad for that restaurant or offer coupons in the hopes of enticing them into visiting the establishment. This type of targeting is especially important for businesses who want their ads seen by customers who might be interested in what they have to offer—and it’s made possible by using an accurate geolocation API.

The best start with a well-documented API, so you don’t have to waste time figuring out how it works

A well-documented API is a great starting point for any developer. When you’re just getting started with geolocation, it’s hard to know where to begin. There are so many options available and each one has a different set of features and limitations. Well-documented APIs make it easier for developers who don’t have much experience with the technology or programming language used by that API in particular.

Without documentation, it can be difficult or impossible to figure out how an API works without asking someone else for help by asking questions like “how do I use this?” or “what does this part mean?” The worst thing that can happen is wasting time trying out different things at random until something works—a process which may not even lead anywhere useful!

Also read: 8 best list of smart contract platforms

Make sure the API can handle high volumes of requests

Before you purchase a geolocation API, make sure it can handle high volumes of requests. In addition to the number of requests per second (RPS), you should also consider the maximum number of concurrent connections and the amount of data that is returned in each request. These factors will determine how well your app performs under pressure—for example, if it’s a popular game that has millions upon millions of players but only one server running all its features.

The best way to test an API’s performance is through load testing or stress testing. Load tests simulate real-world usage scenarios by sending a large number of requests at once; stress tests go one step further by requesting more resources than normal in order to see how they respond under pressure.

Look for an API that lets you customize what information you want to get back

It’s important to look for an API that lets you customize the data you get back. It may be helpful to receive lat/long in a specific format, or maybe it makes more sense to get the data in a different format than what is provided by default. You will also want to make sure that the geolocation API you choose has enough coverage so that there are no holes in your dataset.

Real-time updates are an advantage

• Real-time updates are more accurate.
• Real-time updates are more reliable.
• Real-time updates are more up to date.

You want to be sure your data is accurate and reliable

You want to be sure that you’re getting accurate, reliable data. You’ll know this because:

• You’ve seen examples of the kinds of reports or dashboards that you can build with your geolocation API.
• You’ve made sure it supports the formats and protocols (like HTTP) that will work best for your needs.

A great geolocation API can be an important component of a location-based app

A geolocation API is a software library that provides an interface to a location-based service, such as GPS or cellular triangulation. It can be used to determine the position of a device in relation to another entity, such as another user or coordinate on the earth’s surface. This information can then be used by applications for a wide range of purposes, including mapping and navigation services, social networking apps that let users keep track of each other’s whereabouts (and/or stalk them), disaster relief efforts where emergency responders need to know where they need to go in order to get help—and the list goes on!

In our next article we’ll take a look at how you might go about choosing one of these APIs for your app.

Conclusion

A good geolocation API can help you build a useful and robust location-based app. The best start with a well-documented API, so you don’t have to waste time figuring out how it works. Make sure the API can handle high volumes of requests. Look for an API that lets you customize what information you want to get back. Real-time updates are an advantage. You want to be sure your data is accurate and reliable

Do you want to add variety to your content? Instagram post maker by VistaCreate can do that for you. Let’s get started!

Much has been said about photo editing for Instagram. But not all profiles on this social network are based on photos. Commercial accounts, brand pages, themed communities – there are few familiar selfies and landscapes. But there is a cool design for Instagram posts and Stories. Instagram accounts strive not only to post 1 post every day, but also to create unique content. But it takes a lot of time to come up with new posts every day, to match them with pictures and fonts. The resulting profile is overloaded with mismatched posts, and it scares away your audience.

 Profile owners go to great lengths to stand out in a stream of information! That’s why it can be so difficult to keep subscribers, who are busy scrolling in search of interesting, catchy content. But it’s not just authors who shoot with expensive cameras and spend hours of time processing future posts that are successful in the media. If you have something to say to your readers, lack of skills won’t stop you. With Instagram Post Maker VistaCreate, you can post eye-catching photos that attract thousands of likes, at least every day, without any specialized knowledge or software!

 If you’re looking to save time but still design your Instagram account nicely, will VistaCreate be your trusty assistant? Use the handy tools, follow the instructions, or create your own designs.

Step by Step to Create a Quality Instagram Post

Follow this short guide to create your projects:

1. Choose a post format – first of all, go to the Instagram posting format to start creating.
2. Choose the right template – browse through all the Instagram post templates or use the search to dive into a huge collection of templates. You’re sure to find the right one.
3. Edit the content – add, remove, or edit any element to make the design exactly match the mood and style of your post.
4. Upload and share – download your finished post and share it to Instagram directly from the VistaCreate editor.

 Easy, isn’t it? With VistaCreate, you can create effective publications in seconds.

Also read: Video Editor Resume: create your stellar resume for video editor roles

Reusing a Template in Instagram

The path of least resistance is to choose one template for all posts. If the result seems so successful that you want to go back to it again, why not? Duplicate it to leave the original untouched, and put your imagination into the next one.   

Features of Creating an Instagram Post from VistaCreate

VistaCreate has 1 million free photos, vector images and other content to encourage your creativity. You always have access to over 1,600 short videos that are easy to use in any motion format. The tools also include a signature collection of more than 680 font styles in 25 languages. And if that’s not enough for you, you can upload your own!

Choosing a Plan for Your Productive Work

With the VistaCreate graphic design tool, you have a choice between two plans:

Starter Plan

This is a free format that does not require any investment. You will have access to:

• over 75 thousand design templates;
• over 1 million photos, videos and vector images;
• branded styles with logos, colors and fonts;
• free fonts, music, animations, backgrounds and objects;
• 10GB of storage for files and projects;
• direct sharing to Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

 This plan will suit amateurs and beginners as well as start-up businesses. 

Pro Plan

Its cost will be only €10 per month. You get all the features of the Starter plan, plus more:

• background Removal Function;
• over 70 million photos, videos and vector images;
• team account;
• unlimited sets of branded styles;
• unlimited storage;
• resize feature;
• sticker builder;
• version history.

 You can update or cancel your subscription plan in your account settings at any time. And payment methods such as PayPal, credit and debit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express are always welcome.

Image Size and Format for Instagram Postings

The Instagram feed shows the post in a square format. The post image must be 1080 x 1080 pixels with a 1:1 aspect ratio.  For landscape orientation: use 1080 x 566 pixels. For vertical: use 1080 x 1,350 pixels.

As for the format of your Instagram post image-it should be in JPG or PNG format with a maximum size of 30 MB, for images with a logo or text it’s best to use a PNG file.

Also read: Best 30 photo editors to hire | Assured quality – 100% money back guarantee!

Top 3 Tips for Creating the Perfect Instagram Post

You’ve already learned a lot about how VistaCreate works and features. But we’ve got more. Just pay attention to 3 simple tips to improve your project:\

1. Formulate a Clear Call to Action – Instagram descriptions allow you to insert a link, but it won’t work. A square image that is sure to tell people to come to your blog to read your new post will be more effective than just a headline on a nice background image.  As an alternative, “Link to Bio” can be put in the description, although that doesn’t always appeal to the audience either.
2. Add Interesting Text and Style – because Instagram is visual, it’s not always best to make your entire profile images with text. Spice it up with colorful images and colors or take the opportunity to upload multiple pictures and create a narrative! You probably want your post to stand out as aesthetically pleasing images.
3. Insert a Fact or Entertaining Question – adding a fact or statistic to your image will make your audience pause and think. Answer the question, either on the image itself or at the top of your description, to encourage engagement.

 In this way, your Instagram, which relies heavily on published images, will take on new colors and engaging content will no doubt make someone stop and encourage them to read the description. 

 So, Instagram Post Maker by VistaCreate is convenient and saves time. You can either choose a suitable template or design it yourself. It requires a concept and your imagination. Change the content and experiment, it’s convenient because you do not need special knowledge of design skills. VistaCreate will always help you make branded content that will be remembered by your users.

 

Here are 8 Surprising ways using software that have changed our education.

As education and technology have been closely linked for decades now. By adopting new gadgets and software, schools and teachers are able to boost students’ engagement and help them study easier. But, there are many other, more surprising ways how integrating software into the educational sector has changed the game for students. Read on to learn more!

Accessible Academic Help for Everyone

There is no secret that studying has never been a piece of cake. It takes focus, dedication, and a ton of effort to keep up with a hefty academic load and achieve good results. It is crystal clear that the integration of different software and tools was aimed at making students’ everyday lives simpler. In comparison, just a few decades ago, it was hard to imagine that students would be able to get full-fledged academic help too. Thanks to technology, every modern student can delegate their assignments to professionals. Services like WritePaper assist young people with all kinds of academic challenges and help students hone their own skills with ease. Apart from this, anyone can hire a virtual tutor to get academic help. All these things are there and accessible to everyone. And this is one of those ways technology affects education.

Also read: Best virtual classroom software in 2021 | Top features;pros&cons

High Levels of Interactivity

In the classroom of the past, students could only interact with their teachers and peers. These days, interactivity in the classroom has reached a whole new level, all thanks to technology and software. Now, students can interact with the learning materials on a much deeper level. They can research, perform tasks, and receive feedback in real time. For example, when studying geography, students can take a trip through our entire planet right from the classroom, using tools like Google Earth or Google Maps. Not so long ago, all they could do was look at a physical picture or a map. But now, they can even walk the streets of a city located millions of miles away. Such opportunities help young people get more passionate about their studies and, thus, become more productive than ever.

Gaming Everywhere

Although the concept of learning through a game is not new to us, it is hard to believe how much gaming is integrated into the learning process these days. Thanks to gamified learning software, modern students can study the most complex subjects and topics in a fun and laid-back manner. There are plenty of examples of this.

Starting from a very early age, kids can play games on their gadgets to learn words, colors, and other basic things. As they grow up, they can leverage gaming software to master more complicated subjects such as history, math, and much more. That’s another surprising way how technology has changed our education – it made it fun and engaging through gaming.

Also read: Best Presentation Software | Top 30 list, key features, prices, pros and cons

Simulations and Virtual Activities

Learning is not all about gaining theoretical knowledge. Apart from it, teachers have always strived to provide their students with valuable skills and hands-on experiences. But, just a few decades ago, doing this was incredibly hard, especially for certain subjects that required special equipment. Now, everything’s different.

Thanks to special VR and AR software, students can acquire new skills and practical experience in nearly every subject. For example, medical students can practice surgeries. Biology students can study the work of the human body from the inside. And there are plenty of other fun virtual activities for all fields and subjects. Although this technology is still developing, it already has many successful classroom use cases.

Modeling Opportunities

Different engineering, architecture, and similar specialties that involve designing and building things have always been quite hard to teach just because there were so few opportunities for putting students’ knowledge into practice. However, bringing modern technology and software into classrooms is changing this. With the help of advanced modeling software, students can easily create anything for their classes. But that’s not all. With the use of other technologies, such as 3D printing, students can not only design things but actually make physical prototypes right inside the classroom. Broader modeling and design opportunities have made it possible to prepare better specialists in many different sectors.

Also read: 30 best screen sharing software for desktops and phones

Free Educational Materials

There is no secret that education has always been quite expensive. For example, attending a good school typically requires you to pay thousands of dollars in tuition. And, on top of that, you always have to spend more on different educational materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, etc. But, could we ever imagine how many free materials we will have in the future thanks to technology? – Probably not. Thanks to technology and different software, one can learn anything for free or almost free.

There are plenty of handy materials that can be found on various social media, educational apps, and other channels. But that’s not all. In addition to free (or nearly free) materials available to us, there are whole courses too. Thanks to apps like Khan Academy or Coursera, modern users can easily enroll in a course on any subject matter and complete it right from home. Many programs like this are free or cheap. So, providing opportunities for free or very cheap education is another surprising way software and technology have changed the game.

Deep Personalization

In recent years, there has been a huge trend toward recognizing the individual needs of all learners. It shouldn’t be a secret that each of us is unique. We all acquire, process, and retain information differently. That’s why the traditional, one-size-fits-all teaching methods just don’t work for all. But luckily, technology changes this too.

Thanks to different educational software, including classroom games, interactive materials, LMS systems, and more, schools now have broad opportunities for personalizing every learner’s experience to the maximum. That is, we now can let every student study at their own pace and, thus, achieve greater results with less stress and effort. Without specialized software, this would be just impossible. So, here you have one more way using it in classrooms has changed everything.

The Opportunity to Study Anytime, Anywhere

Lastly, there is another significant change that has taken place in the field of education. We are talking about fully virtual learning. With the help of different software and tools, remote learning is now simpler than ever. And it only gets better with time. Already now, thanks to technology, young people can study anywhere in the world, without even leaving their homes. For example, someone who lives in the US can easily earn a degree online from a European university. Although we could really see such changes coming, it still sounds impressive how software lets you study anytime and anywhere. All you need is a gadget and an Internet connection. So, that’s the last surprising way our education has changed lately.

The Bottom Line

Technology and software are now present in nearly every classroom. Teachers and schools are actively integrating them into the learning process to maximize the outcomes. So, of course, this has a significant effect on the way we study these days. After reading this article, you know about some of the biggest and most surprising ways technology changed our education. Now, since progress doesn’t stop, we all can’t wait to see what else the future holds for us!

Are you thinking of growing your career as a SQL DBA? In this post we share top 5 tips for becoming a SQL DBA.

Forging a career as a database administrator (DBA) is a worthy ambition to hold. Ideally, it will point you down the path to job satisfaction and financial stability.

Of course, it is also an increasingly popular option for aspiring IT workers. This means that there is plenty of competition for most roles in the biz.

As such, becoming a SQL DBA requires dedication, persistence and a willingness to invest in yourself. It also helps to know which solutions and strategies for career development are most effective. This will stop you from making the mistake of spending time on fruitless endeavours.

With this in mind, here are five tips to help you become a SQL DBA. Your efforts will be rewarded in the long run, so embrace a good worth ethic!

Also Read: Remote software engineer jobs | Everything you must know

1. Get to grips with SQL

First and foremost, you need to be a whiz when it comes to using SQL. Also known as a structured query language, it is the basis for many databases.

If you are already employed within a relevant role, your employer may offer SQL training. If not, you will have to pursue this yourself, on your own initiative.

Thankfully, SQL is considered to be simpler to learn than other programming languages. You will still need to put your brain in gear and focus to build skills. You will also need to be willing to continue learning and improving throughout your career.

In addition, there are ample online resources available to assist upcoming DBAs. Furthermore, tools like those found on SentryOne.com simplify SQL DBA duties. Becoming proficient is about learning the shortcuts, not just doing things the hard way.

2. Investigate the industry

You can only accelerate your IT career as a SQL DBA if you know the industry. There are lots of ways to go about this, and speaking with experienced DBAs helps. By doing so you will know what to expect and get insider advice to avoid pitfalls.

Another part of this is thinking about which area you want to work in. Do you want to be a SQL DBA for a major multinational corporation? Would you rather work for a small business, keeping a simpler infrastructure afloat? Do you want to secure a full-time role, or work as a contractor?

Your own preferences, skills and experience level will go into shaping your decisions. This is also the point at which studying salaries is possible. Comparing the relative remuneration available from different prospective employers will shape your expectations.

Comparisons of benefits and perks provided by businesses will be part of this process. Your career can only progress if you go in with open eyes. Most of all, don’t sell yourself short or overstate your abilities. Finding a balance is better for you and your employer.

Also Read: Remote SQL Jobs | A complete guide

3. Understand DBA duties

To work out whether becoming a SQL DBA is sensible, look into what the job involves. Again, speaking with experienced admins can help here. Even a general overview of everyday duties will be instructive.

The bulk of your work will involve the use of software to manage data. This means making sure it is stored and organized efficiently. It also involves making it accessible to those that need it.

How you do this will depend on the nature of the database. If it is used internally for business apps, communicating and collaborating with colleagues is inevitable. If it powers customer-facing solutions, like a website, feedback from external sources must be considered.

This leads to the other main SQL DBA responsibility; troubleshooting. Databases, like any other IT resource, can and will encounter issues, errors and unplanned downtime. It is the role of DBAs to combat conundrums and minimize the likelihood of outages.

Troubleshooting requires a combination of manual tinker and the effective use of monitoring software. You will need to optimize SQL queries, identify the source of blocking and address deadlocks.

You will also have to be attuned to database security. Access management may fall within your prevue, covering users and apps alike. Staying on top of permissions and even structuring a permissions hierarchy may be necessary.

More broadly, SQL DBAs must put together the procedures and best practices that control the database. The way you design and document management and maintenance responsibilities really matter. This is because they have to be clear and comprehensible to others, not just yourself. Thus your written skills have to be on point as much as your coding prowess.

Lastly, you will be responsible for rolling out updates and ensuring the database run smoothly afterwards. There are different SQL-powered database platforms, so update approaches and frequencies vary.

4. Study for certification

Having a firm foundation in SQL as a language is essential for DBAs. From a career perspective, certification in the use of specific platforms is also advantageous.

Once more, it depends on the type of database that your employer uses. In some cases, a business may even cover the costs of training and testing.

A good entry level option is the Microsoft Technology Associate Database Fundamentals SQL Certification. It consists of five modules and covers core concepts such as creating and manipulating data. There are successive certifications beyond this from Microsoft, focusing on its SQL Server platform specifically.

If you are more likely to use an open-source alternative like MySQL, certifications differ. Oracle has its own training and education pathways, and this goes for other major players.

Certification is a shorthand way of showing employers that you know your stuff. It is not an automatic guarantee of employment but looks good on your resume. Furthermore, you will learn tons of practically applicable skills through the training process.

Also read: Career change | A handy guide

5. Experience other aspects of software development

Even if you are set on working with SQL, expanding your horizons is advisable. Working in software development roles where other programming languages are used will empower you further.

For example, Python is a worthy stablemate for your SQL skills. It can be more potent when it comes to statistical analysis. It is also endowed with a similarly straightforward approach to syntax, just like SQL. Plenty of Python-related roles are available, so your career choices are extensive.

Java is another excellent language to pick up alongside SQL. They are often used side by side in the creation of web apps. Likewise, a knowledge of Java can help you move into mobile app development.

Ultimately you should be opening doors, rather than shutting them. So considering your SQL skills as one tool in your kit is a career catalyst.

Conclusion

From small businesses to globe-spanning organizations, SQL databases are a common sight. And for every database in use, an administrator is needed behind the scenes.

This creates plenty of demand within the industry and gives IT professionals more choice. Becoming a DBA will not prevent you from following other opportunities further down the line. Rather it will be another string to your bow, whatever you decide to do later.

You need a grounding in IT or a related area to get a head start. You also need to know that DBAs are always learning on the job. New challenges arise and new technologies are introduced, so it is never boring. And the sooner you start, the sooner your DBA dreams can come true.