APPS & SOFTWARE
Healthcare Supply Chain Data Analytics: What Are its Benefits?

Find out why supply chain analytics helps healthcare organizations maintain patient loyalty and avoid unnecessary costs.
In any industry, supplies need to flow smoothly. But in healthcare, lives depend on medications and supplies that arrive on time. Researchers surveyed 400 healthcare workers, from nurses to supply chain managers. More than half of those surveyed said they could recall when a doctor didn’t have a medical product for a patient’s procedure. And twenty-four percent of respondents had seen or heard of a situation where an expired or recalled product was used on a patient.
Some nurses and doctors spend twenty percent of their time locating supplies when they could be doing their job and treating patients. Data analytics helps organize the supply chain so that healthcare workers have the resources to treat patients at their fingertips.
What Is Supply Chain Analytics?
The supply chain consists of different processes: procurement, distribution, inventory management, etc. The system analyzes, interprets, and suggests improvement strategies for these processes. Managers who manage the supply chain can use the system reports for optimization. What can they optimize with supply chain analytics software? Via manufacturing processes, warehouse management, transportation, etc. And managers can also forecast demand.
An analytics system copes with unstructured big data. For example, a hospital works with electronic health records (EHR) and enterprise resource planning (ERP). Different departments of the hospital manage these databases. Members of the clinical team work closely with the EHR. They enter data on how they use clinical products. The ERP tool is useful for the supply chain team and leaders when they manage the hospital’s finances or make a strategic plan. EPR contains data on products, prices, suppliers, contracts, procurement, and payment. It is also important to consider the data of the supply chain management (SCM) system. E.g., the data from barcodes and RFID tags. They are needed to track the stock of medical equipment or consumables. Another example is data on the expiration dates of drugs.
The forms of this data may vary. If the clinical and supply chain teams rely on manual processes to fill out paperwork, they may get lost in the data. But it doesn’t confuse the analytics system. It integrates the SCM system with the EHR and ERP and offers a single system of record for financial transactions and patient care.
Supply chain analytics software can be thought of as a set of tools. These tools use big data to answer questions and offer solutions.
There are four types of big data analytics in healthcare that apply to the supply chain as well.
Descriptive analytics answers the question, «Which events happened?» For example, algorithms show the demand for basic personal protective equipment (PPE) has increased. These are hospital gowns, surgical masks, gloves, respirators, etc.
Diagnostic analytics explains, «Why did these events happen?» The reason is an epidemic in a certain area. It spreads widely and quickly.
Predictive analytics answers the question, «What can happen?» The epidemic can unfold quickly, and the demand for PPE grows. Algorithms show that healthcare organizations may experience a shortage of PPE. Detailed forecasts are possible because developers train analytics models so that they can detect patterns. The model is trained on a wide ecosystem of libraries specifically for healthcare analytics software. One example of such an ecosystem is Python libraries. Belitsoft expert Dmitry Baraishuk emphasizes that Python development services are not only about model training. Before that, developers clean the client datasets and study them to select the features most closely related to the predicted variable. After that, the developers split the dataset into training and test data. They evaluate the performance of the resulting model and only then deploy it in a real app.
Prescriptive analytics answer the question, «What should we do?» For example, analytics tools calculate the potential stock of PPE for a healthcare company, to eliminate a shortage. So, it can replenish PPE stocks from local suppliers. It may be that the stocks of local suppliers vanish due to increased demand from several healthcare organizations at once. So, the healthcare company can establish a supply chain with a third-party supplier.
What Are the Benefits of Supply Chain Analytics for Healthcare?
A supply chain analytics system in healthcare helps solve many problems. It analyzes how resilient suppliers are and how available supplies are. It checks how efficient the logistics network is and estimates costs. Supply chain analytics algorithms also allow healthcare organizations to predict future demand.
There are several key benefits when a healthcare organization uses the supply chain analytics software.
Improved Customer Service
The patient experience is guaranteed to be worse when critical supplies are unavailable to physicians and patients. For example, a physician and patient are scheduled for a knee replacement. But there is a supply chain disruption. The knee implant does not arrive on time or is in stock but is too big or small. The patient is forced to reschedule the procedure. And it means more time off from work, more asking a friend or relative to drive them to or from the hospital. More babysitting or pet sitting. And of course, it means the patient will have to live with knee pain longer.
What is the main goal of supply chains in healthcare? To meet demand. Healthcare workers and patients want to ensure that all the medical supplies and consumables they need are available without gaps. There are several ways to monitor supply availability. One way is to examine patient data in the EHR. Analytics tools reveal patterns and trends in how doctors and nurses use certain supplies to treat a patient. They also provide data to ensure that the medical supplies ordered from the supplier match the patient’s needs.
Reduced Costs
If a provider studies the analytics reports on procurement and use of supplies, they can direct the supply chain to reduce costs. For example, the analytics software tracks the expiration dates of consumables. It offers a report about the number of consumables the healthcare organization needs. It considers how quickly the providers usually use these materials and which materials they use more and less often. This way the organization can avoid waste. Analytics tools can also identify which supplier or suppliers offer these materials at the best prices.
Analytics algorithms link supply chain data and clinical data from doctors. The goal is to determine whether specific supplies lead to adverse events that ultimately «cost a pretty penny» and rehospitalizations. For example, there are two similar medical products for surgical interventions. They have a price difference. The higher quality product is more expensive, but its use provokes fewer complications at the place of surgical intervention. In this case, the healthcare organization studies the analytics reports and can choose the more expensive medical product from the supplier. It’s a more cost-effective solution because treating frequent complications via a cheaper product will cost even more.
Improved Operational Efficiency
Algorithms perform statistical analysis of processes. Analytics reports enable managers to identify and eliminate inefficiencies. For example, analytics tools study procurement and delivery. The reports show that customers in different departments of a healthcare organization place separate orders with the same supplier on average once every two weeks. It forces the procurement team to process multiple purchase orders. The accounts payable (AP) team also has more work to do: they have to process numerous invoices. The supplier receives these separate orders from one healthcare organization and sends many shipments monthly. The warehouse team must receive and process each of them. The analytics software combines orders for the supplier and shipments. As a result, procurement, AP, and the warehouse do not waste time and energy on unnecessary work.
Last but not Least
The supply chain analytics system allows the healthcare organization to be flexible when it faces order disruptions. Algorithms identify alternative clinically equivalent products that have been pre-approved by the supplier in case of availability issues. It allows you to redesign your procurement process quickly. And you are guaranteed to have the product on time. The analytics system can also look at past supply consumption trends and predict future demand. It makes the supply chain more flexible in delivering what providers need in the near term.
About The Author:

Dmitry Baraishuk is a partner and Chief Innovation Officer at the software development company Belitsoft (a Noventiq company) with 20 years of expertise in digital healthcare, custom e-learning software development, and Business Intelligence (BI) implementation.
APPS & SOFTWARE
Instant Visibility: How Purchasing Real Instagram Views Can Elevate Your Content

In the vast ocean of social media, gaining visibility for your content can feel like navigating a tiny boat through a storm. Enter Instagram, the visual-centric platform where a mere photo or video can turn an ordinary individual into an overnight sensation—or so it seems. Behind the scenes, there’s a sophisticated game at play, and one of the strategies savvy content creators are leveraging is buy real instagram views.
The concept may initially raise eyebrows or elicit critics’ jeers, but when examined carefully, it’s revealed not as a shortcut for the lazy, but as a tool for the strategic. Here, we explore the nuances of this controversial tactic, shedding light on how it can be done ethically and how it can offer substantial benefits to those willing to harness its power.
The Controversy Surrounding the Purchase of Instagram Views
The idea of buying Instagram views has courted controversy since the advent of the platform. Critics argue that it’s a disingenuous way to inflate one’s success, offering little more than a vanity metric that doesn’t truly reflect audience engagement, nor lead to organic growth. And in some less-than-scrupulous corners of the web, these naysayers are, unfortunately, proven right.
Misconceptions and Ethical Use
It’s critical to address the misconceptions. When undertaken responsibly, purchasing views can give a legitimate push to quality content, ensuring it’s not lost in the depths, only to be seen by a fraction of your intended audience due to Instagram’s algorithmic complexities. It doesn’t replace the need for engaging, shareable content. Instead, it serves as a catalyst, delivering that content to the right eyes at the right time, when it might otherwise languish in obscurity.
The ethical application of purchased views hinges on transparency and a long-term strategy. The intention isn’t to deceive or inflate one’s worth artificially. Instead, it’s to leverage views as the first step in a broader audience-building initiative. Content that already resonates with a genuine audience will likely see more robust results from a view-purchase than mediocre content that a creator simply hopes to catapult to fame.
Quality Content First, Views Second
Before considering a purchase, ensure that the content is truly exceptional and adds value to the viewer. Instagram, like all other platforms, aims to keep its users engaged. High-quality content that attracts likes, comments, and shares, and ultimately, time-watched, will always be favored by Instagram’s algorithm.
With that in mind, it’s essential to be strategic about the timing and the scale of your purchased views. In the best-case scenario, a sudden spike in views should coincide with a carefully orchestrated release of compelling content. This synchronization will not only boost visibility in the near term but can also train Instagram’s algorithm to recognize your content as valuable long after the initial spike.
Leveraging Authentic Connections
If you buy Instagram views to boost the numbers on a post that will speak to your followers, it can be a jumping-off point to authentic connections. Imagine your profile is recommended to new users. If the first content they see is engaging and followed by user-generated content in the form of likes, comments, and shares, your profile is on the fast track to gaining a follower that is genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
Selecting the Right Provider
The importance of choosing the right vendor cannot be overstated. There are a multitude of services offering to boost your Instagram metrics, but not all are created equal. Look for providers who promise real views, not just robotic clicks, and who come with a good track record of customer satisfaction. Discount rates may look attractive, but they often come with a high cost in terms of credibility and account safety.
Furthermore, some providers offer services that extend beyond mere view counts. Engage with those that also provide analytic tools and tutorials for maximizing the impact of your purchased views. A vendor worth their salt will not just give you a temporary bump in numbers, but the tools to ensure that you continue to grow and engage with a real audience long after their service is rendered.
The Long-Term Strategy
Your decision to purchase Instagram views should be part of a larger strategy. It’s not a one-step solution but a single piece in a large puzzle. Beyond boosting visibility, you must pair this tactic with content research, understanding your target audience, hashtag strategy, and consistent posting schedules.
It’s also crucial that you measure the ROI of your purchase. Are the views leading to more likes, comments, and shares? Is your follower count increasing? If so, you’re likely on the right track. If, however, the purchased views do not lead to other forms of engagement, it may be indicative of a content issue that needs to be addressed before more money is spent.
Best Practices for Using Purchased Views
To use purchased Instagram views effectively, approach them as you would a marketing campaign. Here are some best practices to consider:
Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience will help you target your purchased views for maximum impact.
Content That Converts: Ensure your content is high-quality and engages your audience. The views you purchase should serve to amplify this quality.
Smart Scheduling: Time your view purchases to coincide with when your audience is most active on Instagram.
Engagement Equilibrium: Invest in likes and comments to solidify the appearance of engagement on your posts, rather than just views.
Track and Adapt: Continuously analyze the impact of your purchased views to adjust your strategy as necessary.
Measuring Success After Purchasing Views
Success after purchasing views is best measured through holistic engagement metrics like likes, comments, shares, and an increase in real followers. If these numbers experience a sustained boost post-view purchase, you can be confident that the tactic has worked. It’s also important to observe the long-term growth. If your follower and engagement metrics continue to rise in the months following your purchase, you can conclude that your purchased views were a smart investment.
The Bottom Line
The decision to purchase Instagram views is a complex one, with numerous factors to consider. It’s not a surefire way to become an Instagram celebrity overnight, but when used strategically and ethically, it can elevate high-quality content that might otherwise go unseen. Remember, the goal is not to amass a hollow number of views, but to promote content that is worth viewing.
In a landscape where the line between reality and artifice is sometimes distressingly hazy, the responsibility falls on the content creator to use every tool at their disposal with integrity. Will Instagram views purchased with hard-earned capital always improve the quality and reach of your content? No, not without active participation in your own success.
But in the right hands, at the right time, for the right reasons, they can form a worthwhile part of a broader strategy to grow your Instagram presence organically. In essence, purchasing Instagram views is a strategic decision, not a moral one. Approach it with discernment, and as with all marketing tactics, ensure it complements a wider ethical, honest, and quality-driven content strategy. It is not a practice that can stand alone, but integrated properly, it can serve as the first step on a stairway to digital stardom.
APPS & SOFTWARE
Best Practices for Backup Retention Policy

In the ever-evolving landscape of data management and cybersecurity, the importance of a robust backup retention policy cannot be overstated. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, having a well-thought-out strategy for how long to retain backups and how to manage them is crucial for ensuring data integrity, compliance with regulations, and swift recovery in the event of data loss or breach.
A backup retention policy is a set of guidelines that dictate how long different data backups should be retained and how they should be managed throughout their lifecycle. This policy not only sets retention periods but also encompasses factors such as backup frequency, storage locations, encryption practices, and access controls. Engage with IT Support New York professionals to create an effective backup retention policy for your business.
This article will explore the data retention best practices.
Importance of Backup Retention Policy
Implementing a backup retention policy is crucial for any organization to ensure the security and integrity of its data. A backup retention policy outlines guidelines for how long different types of data should be retained and how it should be managed.
With a clear policy, businesses can effectively manage their data storage resources, comply with regulatory requirements, and mitigate data loss or breach risks. In addition, a well-defined backup retention policy helps streamline data management processes, improve disaster recovery capabilities, and enhance overall data protection measures within the organization.
Best Practices for Backup Retention Policy
1. Classify Data by Type and Needs
When establishing a backup retention policy, it is crucial to classify data by type and needs. Organizations can determine the appropriate retention periods and storage methods for each data type by categorizing data based on its importance, sensitivity, and regulatory requirements.
For example, confidential financial records may require longer retention than general employee documents. In addition, classifying data enables organizations to prioritize resources for backing up critical information and ensures compliance with industry regulations regarding data protection and retention. By implementing a structured approach to classifying data, businesses can enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their backup retention policies.
2. Define Retention Periods
Defining retention periods is crucial to creating an effective backup retention policy. The retention period determines how long backup data should be retained before it is either archived or permanently deleted. When defining retention periods, it is essential to consider factors such as legal requirements, industry regulations, and your organization’s specific needs.
Establishing clear and well-documented retention periods ensures that your backup strategy aligns with compliance standards and enables efficient data management practices. Furthermore, regularly reviewing and updating retention periods based on changing business needs and regulations is critical to maintaining a robust backup retention policy.
3. Implement a Tiered Backup Strategy
A tiered backup strategy is best for implementing backup retention policies. By categorizing data based on its importance and frequency of use, organizations can allocate resources more efficiently and ensure that critical data is readily accessible. In contrast, less important data is stored cost-effectively.
This approach involves creating different tiers or levels of backups, with each tier representing a different level of prioritization or accessibility. For example, frequently accessed data may be stored on high-performance storage systems for quick retrieval. In contrast, archival data that is rarely accessed may be stored on less expensive storage media.
4. Securely Store Backup Data
Securely storing backup data is paramount when implementing backup retention policies. Proper storage ensures that your organization can efficiently recover critical information in the event of data loss or corruption. To securely store backup data, consider implementing encryption to protect sensitive information from unauthorized access.
Secure offsite storage facilities or cloud-based solutions can provide additional protection against physical threats such as theft or natural disasters. If you want to secure your backup data, visit IT Consulting NJ experts.
5. Delete and Purge Unnecessary Files
Deleting and purging unnecessary files is a critical component of a robust backup and retention policy. Organizations can streamline their backup processes and reduce storage costs by removing outdated, redundant, or trivial data. Implementing a systematic approach to identify and eliminate irrelevant files ensures that valuable resources are not wasted on storing data that no longer serves a purpose.
Regularly reviewing and purging unnecessary files also enhances data security by minimizing the potential risk exposure associated with retaining irrelevant information. Adhering to backup retention policy best practice, including deleting and purging unnecessary files, is essential for maintaining an efficient and secure data management strategy.
6. Review and Run the Backup Retention Policy
Reviewing and running the backup retention policies is a crucial step in ensuring the effectiveness of your data backup strategy. By regularly reviewing the policy, you can verify that it aligns with your organization’s data retention requirements and regulatory obligations.
Running the policy allows you to test its functionality and identify any gaps or issues that need to be addressed. This process helps maintain the integrity and security of your backups, ensuring that your data is protected and easily recoverable in case of unexpected events. Regular reviews and tests of the backup and retention policies are essential best practices for data management and disaster recovery planning.
7. Consider Cloud Backup Solutions
When developing a backup retention policies, considering cloud backup solutions is crucial to ensuring data security and accessibility. Cloud backup offers numerous benefits, including scalability, cost-effectiveness, and automated backups. Utilizing cloud storage for your backups can mitigate the risks associated with on-premises storage, such as hardware failure or physical damage.
Cloud solutions provide enhanced flexibility regarding storage capacity and retrieval options, making them an ideal choice for businesses of all sizes. When implementing a backup retention policies, integrating cloud backup solutions can significantly enhance your data protection strategy and ensure business continuity in the face of unexpected data loss incidents.
In Conclusion
Implementing a robust backup retention policy is crucial for safeguarding your data and ensuring business continuity in the face of unforeseen events. Organizations can minimize data loss, mitigate risks, and streamline their backup operations by following the backup retention policy best practices, such as defining retentions periods based on regulatory requirements and business needs and regularly testing backup and recovery processes. A well-crafted backup and retention policies is not only an essential aspect of data protection but also an investment in the resilience and longevity of your business.
APPS & SOFTWARE
What is Email Security and Its Types

In today’s digital world, email has become essential for personal and professional communication. However, as email is primarily used for electronic communication, it presents various security challenges. Cyber threats like phishing scams and malware distribution have made email security crucial for protecting personal privacy and sensitive information. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize email security to ensure safe and secure communication.
Understanding the fundamentals of email security is paramount in today’s interconnected world. It encompasses a broad spectrum of technologies, practices, and protocols designed to protect email communication from unauthorized access, data breaches, and various forms of cyberattacks. Consult with IT Services Lafayette experts to leverage the power of email security in business.
In this article, we will explore what is email security and essential email security types.
What is Email Security?
Email security refers to the measures taken to secure the access and content of email communication against unauthorized access, compromise, or loss. It encompasses various techniques and protocols to protect email accounts, prevent phishing attacks, encrypt sensitive information, and ensure the confidentiality and integrity of email messages.
Email security solutions may include authentication methods, encryption tools, spam filters, antivirus software, and employee training on recognizing and handling suspicious emails. With the increasing number of cyber threats targeting email systems, robust email security practices are crucial for individuals and organizations to safeguard their sensitive data and maintain a secure communication environment. If you want to secure your emails, visit IT Support New Orleans for assistance.
8 Different Types of Email Security
1. Email Encryption
Email encryption is crucial to email security, particularly for organizations handling sensitive information. Encrypting emails converts the content into a code that can only be deciphered by authorized recipients with the decryption key. This ensures that even if unauthorized individuals intercept the email, they cannot access its contents.
Email encryption helps to safeguard confidential data, maintain privacy, and comply with regulatory requirements regarding data protection. Organizations should implement robust encryption protocols to enhance the security of their email communications and protect sensitive information from unauthorized access or interception.
2. Anti-Spam Filters
Anti-spam filters are a critical component of email security measures. These filters prevent unwanted and malicious emails from reaching users’ inboxes by analyzing incoming emails and identifying and blocking spam content.
Using algorithms and rules, anti-spam filters can effectively detect common spam characteristics such as suspicious links, deceptive content, or unsolicited bulk messages. Implementing robust anti-spam filters is essential for organizations looking to protect their email systems from phishing attacks, malware distribution, and other cybersecurity threats that can compromise sensitive information.
3. Anti-Phishing Protection
Effective anti-phishing measures are vital for securing email communications, especially in today’s digital world, where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated. Phishing attacks are deceptive tactics used to acquire sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, and financial details, by masquerading as a reputable entity in electronic communication. It is important to stay vigilant and protect oneself against such fraudulent attempts to safeguard one’s personal and financial information.
To combat this threat, organizations can implement various anti-phishing measures, including email filtering systems that detect and block suspicious emails, educating employees on recognizing and reporting phishing attempts, and deploying multi-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security to email accounts.
4. Anti-Malware Protection
Anti-malware protection is a critical component of email security. Malware, short for malicious software, can infiltrate computer systems through email attachments or links and cause significant damage, such as data theft or system corruption. Anti-malware software scans incoming emails for known malware signatures and behaviors, quarantining or deleting any suspicious content to prevent infections.
Organizations must implement robust anti-malware solutions to safeguard their email communications and networks from cyber threats. Regular updates and proactive monitoring are crucial to ensuring the effectiveness of anti-malware protection in mitigating the risks associated with malware attacks.
5. Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a crucial component of emails security that focuses on safeguarding sensitive information from being compromised or leaked. DLP solutions help organizations prevent unauthorized access to confidential data by monitoring, detecting, and blocking the transmission of sensitive information through email.
By implementing DLP measures, businesses can enforce compliance with data protection regulations, mitigate the risk of data breaches, and maintain the integrity of their confidential information. Organizations should consider integrating DLP into their overall email security strategy to enhance protection against data exfiltration and uphold the confidentiality of their communications.
6. Email Authentication
Email authentication is a crucial component of ensuring secure communication over email. It involves using various protocols and mechanisms to verify the authenticity of an email and its sender. One standard email authentication method is SPF (Sender Policy Framework), which specifies which IP addresses are allowed to send emails on behalf of a particular domain.
Another vital protocol is DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail), which adds a digital signature to emails to verify that they have not been tampered with in transit. In addition, DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance) instructs email servers on handling messages that fail authentication checks.
7. Email Archiving
Email archiving is a crucial aspect of email security, especially for businesses that deal with sensitive information and must comply with data retention regulations. Email archiving involves storing and preserving emails in a secure and easily searchable manner. This helps organizations ensure access to past communications for legal, compliance, or business purposes.
By archiving emails, businesses can also improve their data management practices and protect themselves against data loss. Implementing effective email archiving solutions can enhance email security and ensure that valuable information is stored securely for future reference.
8. Email Security Awareness Training
Emails security awareness training is critical to maintaining a secure and protected email system. By educating employees on the various email security threats and best practices for identifying and responding to potential risks, organizations can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling victim to phishing attacks, malware infections, or data breaches through email channels.
This type of training equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize suspicious emails, avoid clicking on malicious links or attachments, and promptly report any potential security incidents. Ultimately, investing in email security awareness training can enhance the overall cybersecurity posture of an organization and safeguard sensitive information from unauthorized access or exploitation.
In Conclusion
Email security is an essential aspect of modern communication. Maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of email messages is crucial. Different emails security measures are better available to individuals and organizations to protect themselves against the growing threat of cyber attacks. Each type of emails security, from encryption to authentication, plays a vital role in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining trust in online communications. It is essential to stay informed and implement robust emails security practices to protect against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats as technology advances.
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