The origins of the QR code.

Recently you may have noticed a strange black and white patterned square appearing on packaging and on advertisements. These are known as QR codes and they contain a wealth of digital information that can be read by a smart phone or a QR reading device, but what exactly are they and what does QR stand for?

Well a QR code is simply a Quick Response code and they were invented in Japan, for use within the automotive industry to help track car parts before assembly. A company called Denso Wave invented the QR code and coined the phrase Quick Response code because they wanted the barcodes to be decoded at fast speeds electronically.

Barcodes have been around for a number of years and the humble black and white striped ones are still used on packaging today, this helps the supermarkets to keep a track on stock levels. However, these barcodes only have a limited data capacity (no more than 20 lines of numerical data) whereas theses new QR codes can store exponentially more data, both numerical and alphabetical, making them infinitely more versatile.

With Smart phone technology increasing year on year and the rising popularity of mobile internet, the QR code became the front runner to the problem of getting people to the information they want as quickly as possible. With today’s hectic lifestyle people want to access the information they want as quickly as possible when they are on the go, so by using an app on their smart phone, they get directed immediately to the website they want. No longer do they have to find out the website address and type it in, thanks to the QR code that chore is no more.

QR codes are starting to spring up in all kinds of places, from business cards to billboards, from bus shelters to advertising flyers.

For the small business owner, QR codes are an inexpensive and clever way to advertise their business by taking the customer directly to their website or by allowing the smart phone to link directly to their phone or email address.

Basement flooding requires expert action

As someone who owns property, when you have a problem with a flooded basement you will discover that there are a number of problems associated with this kind of calamity. Moisture can enter your property from a variety of different places and this includes ceilings, roofs, wall’s and up through the floor and even air vents, in fact anywhere there is a gap for it to pour through.

There are a few things you should do when you discover a flooded basement, and there are something’s you should not do, and what you should not do is enter the flooded basement yourself. However, if you can turn off the gas and electricity supply without entering the basement then this is one of the very first things you should do.

The only solution to a flooded basement is to remove the water by pumping it out and that is why you should make contact with a local company that has experience and the experience in dealing with flooded basements.

A proficient company that has experience with flooded basements will be able to remove the water from your basement quickly and then continue with the restoration process by returning your basement to its former glory. This will be achieved by the use of the very latest in water removal technology, which has the capability to remove hundreds of gallons of water every minute.

The impairment brought about by a flooding incident has the potential not to be just external, structural damage can also occur as floors made of wood can warp out of shape and drywall can lose its structural integrity when damp.

These are the reasons why you need to employ the services of a professional company in your local area that can deal with the problem quickly and expertly on your behalf.

The problems associated with basement flooding

When you have arrived home to find out that the basement of your property has become the latest victim of a basement flood, it follows that one of the first actions that you have to take is unearth the exact cause and location of the leak. Potentially there can be a load of various causes of a water leak in your property and this will necessitate the finding of the problem before you can consider calling in a flood cleanup company. In any case there is little use in clearing the flood water only to discover that it returns when it rains once more.

Flooring can be a surprising source of flood water in a swamped cellar as serious rainfall can bring about a rise in the underground water levels and water can seep up all the way through the floor, particularly the place where the floor and the walls meet.

Windowpanes are a huge hindrance when it comes to water leeks and evidently a window which has been left open throughout a rainstorm is going to allow significant quantity of water. However, broken or disintegrating window frames can be an additional hindrance when it comes to water seepage.

More noticeable starting places of superfluous water will come from household items for instance a leaky or faulty dishwasher or washing machine, in addition to water heaters if old or damaged which can lose a lot of water.

Pipes that are split open are an additional difficulty as they can come about at any time and with little or no warning, along with the fact that if it is a sewage conduit pipe this will cause you a number of additional problems. It is situations like these that will require you to call in the services of a licensed basement flood company to handle that specific difficulty because sewage includes lots of harmful bacteria that may cause severe health complications.

The carpet drying process

Carpet drying professionals utilize sophisticated drying equipment to recover carpeting and rugs that have been drenched or has been under water subsequent to a burst pipe or a faulty washing machine.

The expert teams who arrive at your home come equipped with the latest technology to assist with process of drying out your carpeting quickly, eliminating odors and bacteria that could cause the spread of black mold.

The restoration of your carpet is possible if you spring into action as soon as you can and contact your nearest carpet drying specialists.

Noxious mold is more often than not black, and it creates detrimental mycotoxins, which are believed to be the cause of health problems even in healthy people.

Those who already suffer from pre-existing respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis, as well as infants and old people may discover that they have a worsening of their symptoms or that they develop new ones. Additional consequences of prolonged exposure to noxious black mold can be as severe as memory loss and acute lung problems. A number of the populace believes that the most terrible feature of black mold is that it generates a nasty odor. However, it is hazardous, and a team of well skilled to take care of it vigilantly throughout the carpet drying project.

How long a carpet has been submerged under water is significant because the impairment to the fibers of the carpeting and to the padding gets more acute the longer they sit in standing water. Moisture obliterates the polyurethane back of the carpet and it instigates the warping of foam padding. Quick carpet drying can fend off this type of decline and your local carpet drying company will use the latest in carpet drying technology to quicken the process. Supplanting the padding may be needed prior to the restored carpet being re-laid. 

Do not hesitate in when it comes to dealing with a sewage spill

Flooding is one of the worst things that can strike your home or business but if that flood water is contaminated with raw sewage then that will make the situation a hundred times worse. It looks bad, smells even worse and can make anyone who comes into contact with it sick or even worse. However, all is not lost as you are no more than a quick phone call away from getting the professional assistance that this problem requires. By making contact with your local sewage cleanup company you will have started your property on the road to fill recovery, but make sure you contact a company that will respond to your needs quickly and at any time of the day or night. After all a sewage spill can happen at any time of the day or night and not just when it is convenient for you.

There is no way that you can deal with sewage cleanup by yourself as it is a difficult and time consuming task, as well as being extremely dangerous and hazardous to health. Only a team of specialist operatives equipped with the latest in sewage cleanup technology should be tasked with dealing with something as potentially harmful to health as raw sewage.

A recent report attributed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if your home or business premises has been affected by raw sewage, you will require a proficient sewage clean up team to arrive and cleanse the whole lot. This is for the reason that the effective biological driving force contained within the raw sewage, and the truth is that the majority of people do not possess the vital equipment required for cleaning up raw sewage. Call your local sewage clean up company right away so that they can accurately contend with the destruction, and thus keep you safe.

Act quickly when faced with a flooded basement

An accumulation of water in a basement can be a horrible thing to discover and in all likelihood you are going to need to services of a basement flood cleanup company to deal with the problem. A local basement flood cleanup company will usually be available 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year because basement flooding can happen at any time of the day or night. There are a number of different reasons why you have water in your basement and these include acts of nature such as a flood caused by heavy rain or snowfall or simply a river that has burst its banks. The water may have resulted from somewhere within your home as well with a burst pipe, a faulty washing machine or dishwasher or a drain that is blocked or has backed up.

The first action you should take is to stay out of the water no matter how deep it is and switch off the electricity supply to the basement so long as of course the electricity box is not in the basement.

The sooner you can call your local basement flood cleanup company the sooner they will be able to tackle the problem of your flooded basement. The first action they will take is to use pumps to extract the water from your basement, once this has been achieved then they will begin the remediation process by using powerful vacuums to mop up the last remnants of moisture before beginning the drying out process. This process needs to be completed quickly in order to avoid the problems associated with mold growth, mold spores can start to appear within 48 hours of a water problem affecting your basement. This is something that needs to be avoided at all costs so make sure that you act quickly in order to avoid this additional headache.

Damaged roof repair

A leaky roof shows how the weatherproofing of your home is only functional when all parts of your home are protected and your home is only as safe as its weakest link. The roof is the most important part of your home and if it becomes damaged then you are going to have a large number of potential problems to deal with. When you know that you have a leaky roof then you need to take immediate action and call your local roof repair company.

The roof of your home experiences a lot during just one solitary year such as strong winds, rain, hailstones, and depending on where you live snow and ice. Of course your roof may even experience all of these in just one hour not to mention the fact that a strong and unrelenting sun can also damage the tiles on your roof by bending and buckling them out of shape, allowing water to penetrate your home.

This is a scenario that means that you have to take remedial action straightaway and that is when you need to call in a professional roof leak repair company. Your neighbors may have already seen the benefits of using a roof repair company, but they will not just repair your roof but they will be able to handle all of your water intrusion problems quickly, safely and expertly. These include water damage restoration, smoke and fire damage restoration, the removal of mold, asbestos and Chinese dry wall removal and sewage cleanup.

They will be able to answer your distress call whether you are in residential, commercial and industrial property whether you live in a skyscraper a house or a condo they will be able to deal with the problem. So if your property has suffered damage as a result of a damaged and leaky roof then make sure that you contact your local professional water damage remediation company.

Mold removal from commercial premises

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Contamination from mold is not just limited to private dwellings, commercial properties such as offices and warehouses can succumb too. A mold outbreak is a serious risk to the health of anyone who is working in such a contaminated atmosphere and this is especially true of black mold which is the most dangerous of all molds.

Even though you may not be able to see the mold, it doesn’t mean that it is not a danger to health, mold is toxic and can contribute to what has become known as “sick building syndrome” and this in turn can make people ill. The problem with sick building syndrome is that even though no mold is visible or can be smelt, the actual building is the cause of the problem and this has a knock-on effect for the business as a whole, as it is their responsibility.

To multiply and survive mold needs a good temperature, an undisturbed spot and moisture, so an area that is suffering from the damp and the cold can expect to be susceptible to mold growth.

If you need to remove mold then it is essential that you hire a professional company that has the experience and the know how to remove mold quickly and safely. A professional mold removal company will use the latest tools and techniques to remove the mold by removing all traces of mold from behind drywall and from carpeting etc. All items that need to be removed from the premises should be done so by being placed inside sealed bags, as this will prevent contamination spreading into the rest of the building.

The affected area should be isolated in order that any mold spores that have been disturbed do not filter throughout the rest of the building, also when handling contaminated materials safety equipment will need to be worn. If the people you have hired do not follow these simple safety rules then they are not professional mold removal experts and you will need to take action to replace them.

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Body modifications can affect your chances of getting that job

Multiple piercings and tattoos (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is more and more competition in the job market as the economy struggles to pick itself off of the floor, and that means that people who have a lot of body art or body modifications often get overlooked for a lot of high profile big earning job vacancies. There are still a large number of employers who have a low opinion of people with prominent body modifications, and these prominent body modifications can often leave you at the bottom of the “to be interviewed” pile time after time, which can leave you feeling low and frustrated.

So here are my tips to help you get that job that you want.

It is ok to stand up and declare that you will not cover up your body art for anyone, but that attitude is not going to pay the bills, so it may be time to be less rebellious and cover up just for a few hours.

There is some good news though, as more and more businesses are losing their inhibitions when it comes to body modification and are changing their policies to allow certain body art and piercings. You may well be aware that most fast food outlets allow body piercings so long as they are covered up, but this kind of job is not good to someone with a family to support. But there are other larger companies with better paid jobs at companies such as Home Depot, Blockbuster and Amazon who do not discriminate against people with body art or piercings. However, you should be aware that attitudes may differ from one part of the country to the next, so it is still down to you to do some research and discover just who has what rules when it comes to employing people with noticeable body modifications.

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The Basics of Commercial Plumbing

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you are in charge of business premises, it is very important to ensure that the plumbing is in order. That usually means having the number of a really great commercial plumbing service on hand when needed. When it comes to your business you cannot afford to compromise on quality just to save money, so you will need an expert plumbing service who offer good value for money.

It is essential that you choose a professional company which is fully licensed and insured to work in your area. We have offices not only all over the USA but also in Europe and Australia, so it is equally important that we have a great plumbing service in Sydney and a great service in New York! I have noticed the licensing varies from place to place so check out local requirements when making your choices. When you have a really great professional who you can trust it takes a load off your mind.

In addition, it is important to ensure your chosen plumbing service has experience in commercial plumbing services and not just residential. These are very different beasts! After all, a household bathroom sees use from 4 or 5 people on average each day, a bathroom in an office will be used by around 100 people! Ensuring that the plumbing in your place of work is in great condition is a big responsibility so finding the right professional to assist is very important. Once you find someone hold onto them!

Carpet Drying Techniques

If your carpeting has received some water damage you need to know what to do for the best in order to dry it out and minimize the damage.

Your carpets will in all likelihood have some kind of padding underneath and this pad provides a cushion and gives your carpet that springy feel when you walk upon it. Unfortunately being spongy these pads soak up water quickly, it is these rather than the carpet fibers themselves that collect the water.

You should never leave acarpet to dry by itself if you have had a large spillage of fluid on to it, small spills are fine, as long as you use something such as paper towels to soak up the excess, and give the affected area a thorough clean afterwards. However, waterlogged carpets should not be left to dry by themselves, because they will not, and all that will happen is that mold will grow and before you know it you will have to replace the entire carpet.

To thoroughly dry the padding many commercial and professional carpet drying companies will need to separate the padding from the carpet fibers, once this has been done, powerful fans are utilized in order dry the carpet fibers and padding before the dreaded mold and mildew gets a chance to form.

Of course even a professional carpet cleaning company cannot always save your carpet, and this especially applies to situations where the carpet has been contaminated by so called “black water”, this is water that contains sewage for example. This is a situation that calls for the carpet to be replaced as it is too much of a health risk, if you have “grey water” which is water from a washing machine or shower for example then you will need to dispose of the pad but the carpet fibers can be cleaned and saved.

So depending on what kind of flooding you have suffered there is a good chance that you will be able to keep your existing carpet rather than have to pay for a new one.

The Taboo of Body Modification

mmmm scarification! (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As I have touched on before, not many people in the business world can get away with body modification as it is still seen in a bad light. You will perhaps glimpse the odd tattoo or ear piercing in the business community, but for the most part anything else needs hidden under the shirts and suits! However, while I do believe that it can work against you in the business world, that doesn't mean I am not more than a little bit intrigued by it. Some of the more extreme types of body modification are like works of art. Take scarification as an example. At the most basic level it is simply cutting or scratching the skin to leave an intentional scar, but at its best it is an intricate as any tattoo. Many individuals even choose to have ink applied to the design before it heals over to add color. While this is seldom as vibrant as a tattoo it can still look great. Alternatively an tattoo can be applied once the scarring has fully healed. It can take up to 2 years to complete and heal a scarification.

Similarly, branding is also becoming popular. It also involves the removal of skin, but in this instance the skin is actually burned away in designs resulting in a much darker color of scarring. This is perhaps among the most painful of all body modifications. Both scarification and branding are definitely not suitable for the business world if they are in full view, but if it is your thing and you can cover it with your clothing then it is a personal choice. So whether it is needles and ink or branding irons and surgical blades a general rule of thumb for the world of business is that it must be unseen when wearing short sleeves.

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Understanding Audit Procedure

Auditors make a note of any "material" discrepancies in the organization's financial statements. Auditors employed by Audit Agencies need to adhere to Generally Accepted Governmental Accounting Standards (GAGAS), as provided by the General Accountability Office. Auditors may be liable to 3rd parties who are damaged by making decisions based on information in audited reports. Auditors have to research whether or not the evaluation findings are crystal clear and bring about actions that make certain continuous development of the sustainability management process.

Audits can last from several days to several months and will vary depending on the unit’s size, complexity, and the specific audit objectives. Audit companies that supply audit/attest products and services to nonpublic customers are susceptible to peer assessments performed according to appropriate AICPA standards, and audit businesses that provide audit/attest services to public customers are at the mercy of investigations performed by the PCAOB. Audit firms are usually CPA firms and/or public accounting firms. Audits provide the highest degree of assurance for evaluators. Audit is not a path for the faint of heart. Audit followup is an integral part of good management, and is a shared responsibility of agency management officials and auditors.

Internal Audit meets with the auditee to discuss the audit scope and subsequent audit steps. Internal auditors should inform audit committees of significant issues communicated to management and management's response. Internal Auditing is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve the university's operations. Internal auditing performed in many different ways and there are a variety of models that may be applied to discharging the audit role. Internal auditing offers goal assurance on the performance of internal processes and answerability to the people in charge of governance in the corporation.

Audits can last from several days to several months and will vary depending on the unit’s size, complexity, and the specific audit objectives. Audits can be more efficient, saving labor time spent on routine calculations. Audits are an important administration tool to be utilized for verifying objective proof of procedures, to evaluate how effectively procedures are actually put in place, for figuring out the effectiveness of accomplishing any defined target levels, to supply proof with regards to decrease and reduction of trouble spots.

Audit committees typically review financial reports quarterly and annually in publicly traded companies . Audit committees typically approve selection of the external auditor . Audit committee members are classified as either outsiders or affiliated. An audit committee member is affiliated if she is a company employee or if she is a ‘grey’ director. Audit committees should ensure the independence of the internal audit function, as the auditors may provide more complete information to the committee when they are free from management's influence. Some audit committee chairs have taught internal auditors to adopt a positive approach to assisting administration comprehend emerging dangers and also the impact they've already had within the organization in the foreseeable future. Internal auditor is appointed by the Audit Committee of a company and its job is to detect and prevent fraud, to increase efficiency and effectiveness of the resources and to identify/manage risks and to ensure the company's internal control is working properly.

Dealing With Water Damage in Commercial Buildings

If your commercial property suffers a burst pipe, a flood or if the sprinkler system is flooded it can cause a massive amount of damage to your building, your documents, wiring, elements and everything else contained in the building. If your business require you to house your customers' property the you may end up having to cover the cost of replacing anything that is lost or damage due to the water damage. Water damage in any commercial property an be financially devastating and I highly recommend getting flood insurance.

Floods which are a result of hurricanes or heavy rainfall can cause water to flood two or more floors depending on the severity of the weather conditions, it can also ring in debris from outside. This includes matter carried form the street, rivers, creeks and sewers. Water damage can be devastating both in terms of the damage and financially. It may be too dangerous to allow people to enter the building following a flood because there could be structural damage and if the power is still on there could be loose wiring which is still live making it even more dangerous. As a business owner you have a duty of care to both your employees and your customers. You will need to ensure that the power is turned off even before any professional flood clean-up services enter the property.

Once the building has been made safe, your insurance provider can come in to assess the damages before anything is fixed. However, some flood services will actually help you through this process and often your insurer will actually accept verified evidence from an expert to confirm the damage sustained to the property. It is important that above all else you take safety precautions to minimize not only the damage to the property but also to ensure the safety of those you have a responsibility too in terms of your business.

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Why Perform An Energy Audit?

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In today's environmentally friendly society businesses are under increasing pressure to be 'greener'. One way to do this is by performing an energy audit. Not only will becoming more energy efficient make you greener, but you will enjoy a nice little saving on those utility bis as well.

Our flagship office is actually being remodelled right now and we are hoping to make the building itself greener by using building materials from sustainable sources and by ensuring that it is well insulated to cut down on heating bills. It was our contractor who first got us turned on to energy audits. He suggested periodic energy audits before during and after the remodelling work to make sure things were going according to plan. It is important to set a goal to achieve and use the audits to chart your progress towards it. The audit can actually reveal hidden ways that your property I losing energy. So whether you need to make sure your HVAC is working properly or finding out where electricity is wasted the energy audit can make everything clearer for you.

A lot of this also applies to residential property. In fact, when you think about it, performing an energy audit and acting on the findings must be a viable way to raise the value of your property. I only wish I had done it sooner! Think of all the money I could have been saving on my energy bills all these years. I urge you to call in an energy audit professional today for your home or place of business and see how much you could be saving on your monthly outgoings!

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The Benefits of IT Auditing

Organisation (Photo credit: Sean MacEntee)

IT auditors regularly end up teaching the business community regarding how their work contributes worth for an organization. Internal audit divisions generally provide an IT audit element which can be implemented with a distinct perspective on its role within an organization. On the other hand, in our practical experience as IT auditors, the broader world of business needs to be aware of the IT audit function s o that they may realize the overall benefits.

Specifically, IT audits will cover a huge variety of IT processing and communication aspects including client-server systems, operating systems, security packages, software applications, management procedures, web services, disaster recovery planning and so much more. The actual sequence of an IT audit will always begin with identifying risks, followed by an assessment of the design of controls and culminating in testing the effectiveness of those controls. The most skilful auditors are able to add value at each stage of the process.

I have listed the five key areas where I feel IT auditors are able to add value to an organization. The quality and depth of the audit itself is important when it comes to adding value, but the planning is also highly important. Without a clear idea of which processes and risks are to be audited, success cannot be assured.

So here are my top five ways that an IT audit adds value:

1. Reduces risk. The planning and execution of an IT audit consists of the identification and assessment of IT risks in an organization.
2. Strengthen controls (and improve security). After assessing risks as described above, controls can then be identified and assessed. Poorly designed or ineffective controls can be redesigned and/or strengthened.
3. Comply with regulations. Wide ranging regulations at the federal and state levels include specific requirements for information security. The IT auditor serves a critical function in ensuring that specific requirements are met, risks are assessed and controls implemented.
4. Facilitate communication between business and technology management. An audit can have the positive effect of opening channels of communication between an organization's business and technology management. Auditors interview, observe and test what is happening in reality and in practice. The final deliverables from an audit are valuable information in written reports and oral presentations. Senior management can get direct feedback on how their organization is functioning.
5. Improve IT Governance. The IT Governance Institute (ITGI) has published the following definition: 'IT Governance is the responsibility of executives and board of directors, and consists of the leadership, organizational structures and processes that ensure that the enterprise's IT sustains and extends the organization's strategies and objectives.'
   

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