streamline operations Archives

Winsage

December 13, 2025

Ho ho ho! December’s Patch Tuesday delivers three zero-days

Organizations using OneDrive, SharePoint sync, or third-party cloud storage should validate sync-root connectivity and file hydration workflows, including connection/disconnection, hydration/dehydration processes, client restarts/upgrades, unexpected crashes, account unlinking/relinking, and multi-user interactions. For Windows Sandbox, organizations should install and enable it, configure folder mappings, and validate the accessibility of mapped folders for file operations. The Start Menu’s User Tiles UI has been updated, and organizations should validate UI rendering, functionality, dynamic updates, error handling, and performance during user switching.

AppWizard

December 6, 2025

Annual FB Messenger global app revenue 2024| Statista

Companies are experiencing a shift in consumer behavior, with a growing preference for sustainable products. Businesses that adopt sustainability are appealing to conscious consumers. The rise of digital platforms, including social media and e-commerce, is transforming audience engagement, allowing brands to create personalized experiences that enhance customer loyalty and drive sales. Many companies are reevaluating their business models to focus on flexibility and resilience in response to market changes. Additionally, companies are prioritizing technological advancements to improve operations, implementing initiatives to enhance employee satisfaction, and fostering community engagement to build brand loyalty.

Tech Optimizer

November 30, 2025

Netflix consolidates relational database infrastructure on Amazon Aurora, achieving up to 75% improved performance

Netflix operates a global streaming service using a distributed microservices architecture, with the Online Data Stores (ODS) team managing persistent data store solutions. The ODS team aims to enhance developer productivity and operational efficiency but faced challenges due to a fragmented relational database strategy involving multiple PostgreSQL-compatible engines, leading to operational inefficiencies and increased overhead for both infrastructure and application teams. To address these challenges, Netflix evaluated database solutions based on criteria focused on developer productivity, operational efficiency, performance reliability, and scalability. After thorough evaluation, Netflix selected Aurora PostgreSQL as the preferred database solution for relational workloads. Key reasons for choosing Aurora include its ability to handle single-Region and multi-Region workloads effectively, employing asynchronous storage-based replication for low-latency operations. Aurora's log-based write operations and shared storage architecture provide higher write throughput and lower latency. As a fully managed service, Aurora eliminates the manual operational overhead associated with self-managed databases, allowing developers to leverage existing PostgreSQL expertise with minimal code changes. Post-migration results for applications like Front50 and the Policy Engine showed significant improvements in latency and stability. Front50 experienced a 50% reduction in average latency and a 70% reduction in maximum latency. The Policy Engine noted overall latency improvements across all endpoints, with specific reductions in key functions, enhancing responsiveness and operational efficiency.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

Windows 10’s End Forces UK SMEs to Rethink Technology

The end of Windows 10 support in October has prompted UK small businesses to reconsider their technology and security measures. Brian Horsburgh from Dell highlights the urgency for firms to upgrade to Windows 11 and integrate AI into their operations. Statistics show that 43% of businesses experienced a cyber breach last year, with 46% of IT decision-makers citing high-profile incidents as reasons to refresh their PC fleets. Despite budget concerns, Dell is addressing hesitations by showcasing the benefits of AI technology, such as improved productivity and security. AI PCs with Neural Processing Units (NPUs) enhance data security and streamline operations, allowing for tasks like automatic meeting note summarization. Dell offers flexible financing options to ease the financial burden of upgrading. The company promotes a phased approach to digital transformation, encouraging businesses to automate repetitive tasks and partner with technology providers for expert guidance. By leveraging AI, small businesses can improve customer experiences and make data-driven decisions, positioning themselves competitively in the market.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Singin’ the Agentic Windows blues

Microsoft is evolving its Windows operating system into an agentic OS, which will connect devices, cloud, and AI to improve productivity and security. This includes the introduction of Microsoft’s Agent Workspace and Copilot Actions in Windows 11, allowing users to operate AI agents within secure workspaces. These agents will have distinct user accounts, known as Agent IDs, separate from the primary user account for enhanced security. To function effectively, these AI agents will need access to the primary user’s account permissions through the Windows On-Device Registry (ODR), enabling them to manage files, automate tasks, modify settings, and interact with system tools.

Winsage

November 19, 2025

Sysmon – Go-to Tool for IT Admins, Security Pros, and Threat Hunters Coming to Windows

Microsoft will integrate native System Monitor (Sysmon) functionality into Windows 11 and Windows Server 2025, enhancing security operations for IT teams. This integration will provide instant threat visibility, automate compliance through Windows Update, and include features such as process monitoring, network connection tracking, credential access detection, file system monitoring, process tampering detection, WMI persistence tracking, and custom configuration support. It will also offer official customer service support and allow seamless access to events through Windows Event Logs or Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems. Administrators can enable Sysmon using the command "sysmon -i." Future plans include expanding Sysmon’s capabilities with enterprise-scale management and AI-powered detection.

AppWizard

November 16, 2025

Connecteam Team Management App For Android

Connecteam Inc. has launched a team management app for non-desk employees, achieving a rating of 4.8 stars from over a million users. The app includes features such as work scheduling with auto-scheduling tools, a GPS-enabled employee time clock, an internal communication platform, task management with customizable checklists, employee training and onboarding access, an internal ticketing system, and a digital employee ID card. It has received positive feedback for its user-friendly interface, with users noting quick onboarding and cost-effectiveness compared to other solutions. Connecteam offers live demos for those interested in the app.

AppWizard

November 14, 2025

Sharkmob is making layoffs

Sharkmob, based in Malmo and owned by Tencent, is implementing job cuts as part of a strategic reorganization due to a challenging environment for game developers. The layoffs are described as "difficult but necessary" to focus on the continued development of Exoborne, a sci-fi extraction shooter that has not yet announced a release date. The studio recently conducted a public playtest for Exoborne to gather insights for its development. Additionally, Sharkmob closed its London studio earlier this year to streamline operations and concentrate resources on core projects.

Tech Optimizer

October 8, 2025

IBM and CockroachDB partner to bring PostgreSQL to mainframe

IBM has entered into an OEM agreement with Cockroach Labs to modernize mission-critical applications that have relied on mainframe hardware by providing a cloud-native PostgreSQL database compatible with hybrid environments. The collaboration aims to facilitate the transition to cloud-native and Kubernetes environments without rewriting core applications, although some intermediary components may still be needed. CockroachDB will be accessible on LinuxONE or Linux on Z mainframes, allowing customers to modernize in place while maintaining IBM hardware. Cockroach Labs is partnering with automation technology providers to ease migrations, but experts express skepticism about the complexities of migrating existing applications from Db2 to CockroachDB. Additionally, Cockroach Labs has released an open benchmark showing that CockroachDB has five times the resilience of Oracle's Globally Distributed Database, with less downtime.

AppWizard

October 3, 2025

Google confirms Android app sideloading stays—but with a catch

The latest updates from the Android ecosystem include a more intuitive user interface designed for smoother navigation and accessibility, advanced AI capabilities for personalized recommendations and smarter voice assistants, and a revamped SDK for developers with improved documentation and streamlined processes. Key enhancements also feature optimizations for app speed and responsiveness, new APIs for richer app functionalities, and advanced security measures to protect user data. Additionally, there is a focus on sustainability with new guidelines for creating eco-friendly applications. The Android team is engaging with the user community for feedback to refine features and inspire future innovations.