8 Big Benefits of AWS for Small Businesses

As companies are moving toward the cloud computing model, options are becoming more plentiful. However, few of them meet as wide a range of needs as AWS (Amazon Web Services). Running apps here can help businesses move faster, increase operational security, and save money, all while benefiting from the performance and scalability of the cloud. Below are some of the biggest benefits of Amazon Web Services.

It’s Easy to Use and Set Up

If a business owner has never used a cloud service before, setting up Amazon Cloud should be easy. Amazon provides tutorials for storing files, running virtual servers, deploying and hosting sites, running databases, and more. The Management Console allows users to manage their services intuitively, with command line interface and API options.

It’s Cost-Effective

Most of the advantages listed here relate to Amazon Web Services’ cost-efficiency. For instance, business owners can save in the form of increased productivity and uptime. Furthermore, Amazon’s cloud service has a low entry cost. Small businesses and startups can begin reaping the benefits of cloud services with only a small initial investment. One of the best things about it is that customers only pay for what they use, and there’s no long-term contract.

It’s Highly Scalable

Amazon Web Services’ existing infrastructure and payment model means that users can enjoy nearly limitless scalability. If it’s good enough for a behemoth like Netflix, it’s good enough for a small business, and capacity is added each day. As a business evolves, resources and services can quickly be implemented or taken away at a lower cost than with other models.

High Security for Everyone

Some people believe that making the move to the cloud means less security, but that simply isn’t true. While the cloud can never be made perfectly safe, Amazon has taken great steps to mitigate risk. All data is held in secure data centers that meet the most stringent residency and compliance requirements. With the Amazon Web Services security model, even the smallest company gets the same world-class security as the largest enterprise.

More Uptime

Using cloud services doesn’t eliminate the potential for downtime, but Amazon’s model provides a more-than-reasonable expectation of performance. Amazon tops Microsoft and even Google in terms of uptime, and they consistently deliver on their service level agreement of 99.95% uptime.

Flexible Services

Whether a business owner is moving from a different cloud service or they’re reorganizing the company’s local IT infrastructure, Amazon Web Services offers flexibility and choice. Users can benefit from the OS, database, programming language, and services that work best for their environments. With this flexibility, companies can deploy faster and maintain agility with time.

Productivity

Security, scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency are all great, but they’re not the only advantages Amazon Web Services provides. Business owners can enjoy faster deployment and improved performance of applications, which helps users do their jobs more efficiently. With the proper training, Amazon’s cloud services can help businesses bring their infrastructure and staffing costs down.

It Gets Better With Time

Many long-term benefits have been identified, with the prevailing theme being that IT departments are able to devote more time to high-level projects rather than routine tasks. While this benefit is apparent from the beginning, the advantages increase the longer a business owner uses the service. Savings, increased productivity, scalability, reliability, and flexibility are just some of the reasons why now’s the right time to start with Amazon Web Services.

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Asian Resources in Dallas Texas

I live in Plano, TX, part of the Dallas/Ft Worth Metroplex. According to List of U.S. cities with large South Asian/Indian-American populations it is #2 major city in the US by population percentage. According to List of U.S. cities with significant Chinese-American populations it is #6. And according to List of U.S. cities with significant Korean-American populations it is #9. (All ranks are for large cities only, which are defined as >250,000.) Asian Americans eclipsed Latinos in Plano as the largest minority back in 2005 (from this article). In 2010 Asian Americans were at 16.9%.

Based on my research, I am technically Asian too — being born and raised in Siberia, where my ancestors lived for generations, a person here can be as Asian as they want to be — there are many businesses/facilities that cater to Asian Americans and their specific needs to everybody’s delight — all people benefit from good ethnic restaurants, Asian groceries, baths/spas, and other businesses.

According to the Greater Dallas Asian-American Chamber of Commerce there are more than 300,000 Asian-Americans in North Texas. They’ve been flocking here for more than a decade. The Asian population is increasing by leaps and bounds across the country, including North Texas. In Denton County the Asian population increased 150 percent the past decade according to census figures. In Dallas County it’s 35 percent.

There is definitely a Korea-town around the Roayl Lane and I35 area. They have have the huge Kinga’s Spa, with over 10 different types of Saunas and an indoor water park for children.

There is a Dallas Chinatown – near Richardson in North Dallas. It’s a hub of trade, commerce and culture for Dallas’ Asian community. Huge oriental statues greet you upon arrival and a center filled with specialty restaurants and shopping, this area is a must-see. Stop for braised duck wonton noodle soup at Canton or a plate of hearty dumplings at Jeng Chi Dumpling House or before indulging in shaved ice desserts from May’s Ice Cream.

This Chinatown works in tanden with the Dallas Chinese Community Center (DCCC). It’s purpose is to promote Chinese culture and to foster diversity through educational, cultural and recreational programs and activities that enrich the lives of immigrants and broad American society.

Unlike “traditional” immigration of NY or SF, most Asian Americans started to arrive in DFW area ~50 years ago to work in high-tech industry, which was located North of Dallas starting with Richardson, and grew north. It means that newcomers were well-educated, and relatively high-paid. It was reflected on younger generations as well. Parents were able to pass down their work ethics and an ability to value good education.

Every year,there is a two-day event called the Thai Culture and Food Festival. The free event is held at The Buddist Center of Dallas (north of Downtown) and takes place in the spring and kicks off with an opening parade, followed by cultural performances, including traditional Thai classical dances, and guided tours through the Buddist temple at the center. Be sure to try all the tasty Thai food from local restaurants – don’t miss chicken satay nor the vegan papaya salad.

Also check out this new growing social/community for Dallas/Ft Worth Asians – http://RiceCafeDallas.com. There you can read articles about the Asian community and learn about new and upcoming events.

Buying a Gift for a Teenage Boy

Jewelry is very personal. Obviously, before you buy for a person, especially a teenage boy, you need to know their likes and dislikes.  Check out what their friends and peers are wearing.  Every one has their own thoughts and preferences when it comes to what they buy and wear. There are still some general rules of thumb, though, that can help you when it comes to choosing jewelry. Here are a few tips to help you on your way.

Jewelry is a nice accessory to any outfit. Jeans and a t-shirt can look so ordinary, but paired with a cute chunky bracelet, or a fun pair of earrings, even the dullest outfit can look unique. A colorful choker necklace can brighten up any look, and a uniquely beaded ankle bracelet can accompany any old skirt. Mix and match traditional looks with nontraditional jewelry pieces to create one-of-a-kind looks you’ll love.

When cleaning your fine jewelry, always follow the recommended cleaning directions for the gemstones used in the piece instead of the metals. Many jewelry cleaners designed to remove tarnish from metals can also dull or even destroy many soft precious gemstones. Use a cleaner safe for all gemstones and avoid harsh chemicals.

Men are very picky about the jewelry they wear, especially when they are gifted some that may seem feminine. When selecting jewelry for a man, make sure it something that goes with the way that they dress. Also, when selecting what you will get for him make sure that it is subtle and not flashy. Take a note about what kind of clothes, style, and accessories the person is already wearing.  If they wear men’s leather bracelets now, then they would probably appreciate more.  Don’t assume that because they have one, they wouldn’t want another.

When cleaning silver, it is best to invest in a jeweler’s rouge cloth. It has a polishing compound on the red side which is safe to use with all gemstones, and the yellow side is intended for giving a polish that will sparkle. This will keep your jewelry looking gorgeous for a long time to come!

When packing for a vacation, planning your jewelry is as important as planning your outfits. Since you can’t take your whole jewelry box, plan your outfits in advance and think about what jewelry you’ll be able to wear with multiple outfits. When checking your bags, never pack any jewelry that you absolutely can’t bear to lose. If you can’t live without it, wear it or leave it at home.

Always keep your receipt. Making sure that you have a means of returning the item in question is one of the most important things to do in jewelry shopping. You never know if the person you are purchasing for may not like the piece, or if you may find a better deal elsewhere.

When shopping for an excellent deal on a piece of jewelry, you should consider purchasing a piece that was previously owned. Many of them are just as nice as their matching new pieces, but the costs will be lower. Your significant other will likely appreciate the fact that you made an effort to find a high-quality piece of jewelry at an affordable price.

Look for creative ways to add value to your handmade jewelry. Instead of using a cardboard earring holder, you can offer earrings that are mounted on a handmade birthday or Mother’s Day card, or a necklace that is packaged in a vintage seed packet. Finding ways to encourage gifting of your wares, can make all the difference in the world for your cash flow.

To get a stubborn knot out of a necklace chain, sprinkle the knot with cornstarch or baby powder. The powder slips into each nook and cranny, lubricating the metal and making it much easier to untie the knot with your fingers. If the knot is particularly difficult, you may need to use a sewing needle to help.

If you’re looking for a good piece of jewelry on a budget have you ever considered a pawn shop? Often times people in hard financial times pawn their jewelry, even brand new and in pristine condition. This affords you the opportunity to get a fine piece of jewelry at a fraction of the price!

If you are looking to purchase a piece of jewelry with precious stones, there are synthetic gems that are more affordable, and have a similar grade of quality as natural gems. But, remember that imitation gems which are composed of plastic elements are indeed fake, whereas synthetic gems are cultured in actual laboratories.

When purchasing jewelry, have a friend or family member go with you. They can assist you as you are selecting a piece of jewelry, and they can also remind you of important details that you may have forgotten, like the ring size or favorite gemstone of the person you are buying for. A companion can also keep you from getting overwhelmed as you shop.

In jewelry, what works for your neighbor may not work for you. You have to truly get a feel for what you want and what you can afford. Learning more about jewelry is a great first step into obtaining the types of pieces that will fit in your world. Hopefully, you feel a little more confident now, to go out and buy some baubles.