Novastar Blog

Colleges and universities are moving past the restrictions imposed by the pandemic into a world that offers more freedom to shape to our desires and expectations. In the education sector, schools no longer have to stay remote, but continue to seek options for offering remote and hybrid options to their student populations. There are external factors that are pushing how education technology will change in 2023, along with internal shifts in culture that continue to shape higher ed technology.

Read on for some insights from our team about big tech trends in the higher education space for the coming year.

Keep Investing in Cybersecurity for Higher Ed

Higher ed institutions are at the top of the target list for cybercriminals. They tend to be less prepared than organizations across other sectors to handle cybersecurity incidents, with outdated infrastructure and slow investments into new technology.

Universities manage large volumes of valuable data on students and research, and that data is an easy and profitable target. Education and research institutions were targeted by cyberattacks an average of 1,065 times per week in 2021—and that number continues to. In response to these risks, we’re seeing a shift in culture and technology to be better aware of and prepared for security breaches.

Technologically, most institutions are investing more heavily in software upgrades, security monitoring support, and newer devices. Some newer models of laptops and desktops have security measures built into their hardware. HP, for example, continues to offer new developments in HP Wolf Pro Security, mainly using hardware-enforced threat containment that’s built into the motherboard with micro-virtual machines. With these micro-VMs, applications and webpages are kept isolated from each other; meaning that if a file contains malware, it’s trapped and destroyed before it can infect the rest of the computer or other endpoint.

But a large portion of cyberattacks occur because of user error. A student or faculty member may open a bad email link, or an administrative employee might use the same password for all of their important accounts. This is why education in cybersecurity is an essential part of the equation: all users on a university’s network need to be comfortable using multi-factor authentication (MFA), and competent in managing their passwords and documents.

Many Students, Faculty, and Office Workers are Staying Remote

While many institutions have gone back to in-person instruction, hybrid and remote options for work and study are here to stay. It’s a smart move for universities to continue investing in these options, particularly for attracting top-notch faculty and admin, since offering flexible work options can attract a wider pool of talent.

While classroom instruction, research, and back-office operations have different needs and systems, there are a few elements that they have in common when it comes to hybrid work.

• Investing in more cloud-based services. Cloud services are essential for collaborating on, sharing, and securely storing documents when users aren’t all working from the same location or server.
• Expand the fleet of collaborative software. It’s becoming easier to customize Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and other conferencing platforms to suit an institution’s unique needs. Various tools can also be integrated with productivity tools like Slack, Asana, and Notion. In many ways, hybrid tools are making communication more thorough, efficient, and equitable in-person interactions.
• VPN and MFA support. For any collaboration, it’s important that organizations offer secure ways to access and share work. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) offer an added layer of security for endpoints outside of a centralized office, so many companies are making VPNs a requirement. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is another layer of security that ensures shared drives are securely locked down.

Save Money in the Long Run

Upgrades to security and hybrid work systems require investment up-front in both time and money. But investing in modern, reliable, and secure systems that support faculty, staff, and students help create a healthy work environment that retains top talent. Further, because cyberattacks can be astronomically expensive to recover from, these investments are strategic and wise for the money that they’ll save..  

We recommend that universities partner with endpoint device specialists to support their existing IT teams, rather than burdening the IT department with work that’s outside of their daily scope. Specialists will help higher ed institutions make strategic upgrades within their budget, guiding them to the right combination of devices, software, infrastructure, and services to maximize productivity and communication, and minimize the risk of losing data or succumbing to cyberattacks.

At Novastar, we’re experts in creating singular, centralized ways to manage each and every device in your ecosystem. Higher education institutions need support in reducing complexity and establishing ongoing maintenance routines. Doing so ensures that you stay on top  of emerging issues rather than putting out fires or missing out on opportunities that arise.

Get proactive about device lifecycle management in the new year by contacting Novastar. We’ll help you assess your educational ecosystem and determine what type of lifecycle management strategy will work best for you.

Companies around the world have leveraged 3D printing—also known as additive manufacturing —to create innovative packing materials, jigs and fixtures, and end-use parts. 3D printed products solve a wide range of problems, from filling supply chain gaps to reducing cost and weight of parts, so. it’s no surprise that engineering and manufacturing facilities are the main adapters of this technology. They have unique needs that 3D printing services address. Is the Device-as-a-Service (DaaS) model the right deployment strategy for this technology?

What Is DaaS 3D Printing?

The device as a service model offers a new approach that procures and deploys 3D technology. In a DaaS arrangement, the provider owns the equipment and takes on the operating costs and risks. The customer pays a monthly service fee for access to the equipment and support services.

Why Is the DaaS Model Ideal for 3D Printing?

One could argue that there are several other business strategies to leverage 3D printing. So, what makes the DaaS model the ultimate solution for some?

The Unique Supplies 3D Printers Need

HP 3D printers use a variety of consumables, including powders, lamps and filters. These materials are essential for the proper operation of the printer and need regular replacement. In addition, 3D printers require a steady supply of electricity and often need a computer or network connection. DaaS providers make sure that customers understand the costs of operating equipment and have access to everything they need.

The Technical Know-How Necessary to Optimize 3D Printing

3D printing is a complex process that requires a high level of technical expertise. Top DaaS providers have teams of experts who are well versed in the latest printing technology. These professionals optimize the print process for each customer. This level of expertise is not easy or inexpensive to come by, so having professionals at the ready is an invaluable asset.

The Need to Keep Up with the Competition

New players in the engineering and manufacturing sectors continue to emerge and carve out niches in the market, so companies must stay one step ahead of the available 3D technology to remain competitive. In fact, 81% of manufactures use 3D printing as part of their product development processes. When a company outsources the upgrading and modernization of devices to a third party, this solves a costly problem.

What Advantages Does DaaS Bring to the World of 3D Printing?

In this business climate, there are many advantages to a “pay-as-you-go” business model when the focus is on outcomes. Paying on a usage basis puts the focus on your business results rather than equipment or transactions. HP 3D as a Service (HP 3DaaS) allows manufacturers to gain new levels of cost predictability with the flexibility to scale their businesses as they grow.

Here are some benefits DaaS brings to the table:

Frees Up Capital

The DaaS model helps organizations access capital they would otherwise tie up in 3D printers and the maintenance contracts necessary to keep them running. This can help an organization redeploy resources to other business areas or take advantage of early-payment discounts from suppliers.

Simplifies Budgeting

With a DaaS arrangement, budgeting for 3D printing becomes much more predictable. The customer knows exactly how much to pay each month and can plan for it..

Mitigates Risks

Another significant advantage of DaaS, the customer can return the equipment at the end of the contract and upgrade to the latest model. This flexibility is not possible with a traditional purchase-and-asset-management system.

Improves Efficiency

The DaaS model also helps organizations keep their design and quality control on schedule. By outsourcing the 3D printing process, companies can avoid the delays often associated with in-house printing. In addition, DaaS providers typically have a team of experts who can help optimize the printing process to further improve efficiency. Finally, companies can use DaaS 3D printing to reduce the need to hold inventory. They simply print products as needed.

How Does DaaS Improve Efficiency for Manufacturing Facilities?

Efficiency is one of the top reasons companies consider DaaS 3D printing, so let’s take a closer look at how it benefits business operations. Experts generally identify productivity as the most critical component of efficiency. DaaS improves business productivity in several ways:

Reduces Downtime

Downtime is a major problem for businesses, especially in the manufacturing sector. Various factors can put machines out of commission, such as equipment malfunctions, human error, and power outages. One of the biggest advantages of DaaS is that it helps avoid downtime with a team of experts who can quickly fix any problems that arise.

Increases Available Employee Time

When companies outsource asset management, it frees workers to tackle other value-adding tasks in the organization such as product development and marketing. Additionally, the IT team can focus on modernizing its core infrastructures such as communications, network security, and cloud computing.

Improves Employee Morale

When employees can focus on their core competencies, it increases job satisfaction and morale. This, in turn, leads to higher retention rates and a more engaged workforce. All of these factors contribute to a more productive and efficient organization.

Increases Throughput

In the manufacturing world, throughput is the number of products an organization can produce in a given period. DaaS increases throughput because it provides a team of experts who can optimize the printing process and troubleshoot any issues. Access to modern equipment further increases success in this area.

Improves Product Quality

Manufacturing companies often measure productivity only in the number of actual products created. However, the quality of those products is of equal importance. DaaS services can help improve product quality because they provide access to the latest printing technology and a team of experts who create custom solutions.

The Bottom Line

Industry experts see 3D printing as the future of manufacturing and engineering. The DaaS model provides an excellent opportunity for companies to emerge as game changers and pioneers in their respective fields. With increased efficiency and freed capital, companies also have the resources to pursue the innovations that make industry leadership a feasible goal.

Are you ready to revolutionize the engineering and manufacturing processes at your business? Find out how our DaaS 3D printing services at Novastar Solutions can fuel your business growth strategy. Contact us to get started.

With the global shift toward remote work, IT asset management (ITAM) often occurs outside the traditional office environment. As a result, businesses are facing a host of new challenges with respect to IT administration and lifecycle management.

In particular, we’ve seen Device as a Service (DaaS) solutions become a hot talking point for industries of all kinds as more companies leverage affordable cloud-based deployments to manage out-of-office functions. While the DaaS ecosystem offers several notable advantages such as cost savings, fast deployments, and improved security, it also raises new questions.

• Is it possible for companies to manage a cost-effective IT deployment in the era of remote work?
• What factors help secure off-premise devices?
• How can companies ensure they’re getting the maximum value from their investment?

These concerns can by addressed by establishing effective policies for device lifecycle management.

What is IT Lifecycle Management?

Lifecycle management is a set of processes and procedures meant to track and manage IT infrastructure across its usable life. Typically, assets are tracked throughout the IT lifecycle process with status reports provided at regular intervals. While some companies have the staffing to manage this in-house, many turn to asset management vendors who have established processes to set up and monitor IT devices with ease.

Few companies have the expertise to perform extensive lifecycle management on their own, so trusting a third-party is often the best way to guarantee an effective lifecycle management process. Add in an increased number of questions about governance and optimization that come on the back of the pandemic’s disruption, and it’s no surprise that so many companies struggle with asset management.

The IT Asset Management Lifecycle

To illustrate everything that goes into an ITAM process, we’ll give an overview of how asset management providers set up and monitor an IT ecosystem.

It begins with an assessment of the client’s IT infrastructure and available technology. Assessments identify existing process or security gaps in the client’s infrastructure and review what combination of new or refurbished hardware will best address its needs.

During deployment, Novastar coordinates all aspects of infrastructure installation, starting with shipping, storing, and asset tagging. From there, we take care of software image management, load and testing, installation and deployment, and ongoing maintenance and repair.

If a new technology needs to be retired or replaced, we’ll help with teardown and ensure that end-of-life electronics are disposed of safely, including:

• Uninstalling equipment
• Managing lease termination
• Auditing testing, disk wiping or destruction
• Refurbishing and appraising
• Remarketing to recover asset value

Throughout these steps, ITAM providers should manage all aspects of performance tracking and reporting through an IT asset database. As hardware grows out of date and a new business vulnerability becomes apparent, the process starts from the beginning.

Operators should keep tabs on these assets and view regular reports on performance in order to gain complete visibility into their IT infrastructure across all devices, processes, and analytics. This makes it easy to determine the optimal time to phase out old technologies and deploy new solutions for business improvement.

Additionally, this type of hands-on approach makes it easy for ITAM providers to keep tabs on any number of endpoints, whether they’re in the office or remote workstations. A partner in ITAM will help businesses ensure that all remote workstations are set up, monitored, and secured appropriately to your needs. This is by far the easiest way to guarantee security and compliance in a changing ecosystem where remote work is the norm.

How Novastar Goes Beyond to Add Value Through IT Asset Managment

Device management can bring plenty of benefits to business efficiency, and it’s important to find an ITAM partner who understands your priorities. The best ITAM providers offer white glove delivery across all components. Novastar offers fully managed deployments for remote workers at scale—something not commonly found from other providers—as a core part of our service offerings.

To further bring value to each client’s device management process, we’ve spent years designing processes around IT asset disposition, asset recovery, and remarketing. Aside from supporting new asset acquisitions, logistics, imaging, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life (or lease) options for your IT assets, we work to find and recover value wherever possible throughout the process.

This type of recovery can go a long way to help a business manage its device lifecycle costs, particularly when unpredictable market forces cause seismic shifts in business operation. There are many forces that may affect the viability of your current IT infrastructure:

• Business mergers or acquisitions
• Customer returns
• Project cancellations
• Inventory surplus
• System upgrades or refreshes

No matter the need, Novastar works with customers to maximize device recovery value, all while minimizing costs related to warehousing, auditing, and transportation logistics. In this way, we provide a level of device lifecycle support that few others can match.

Maximize ROI With Device Lifecycle Support

Novastar has the staff, facilities, and expertise to offer complete, sustainable IT lifecycle management. We understand the role that your devices play in business efficiency, and we tailor our services to help businesses mitigate costs on large IT deployments. Further, we always ensure that end-of-life electronics and their components are handled safely to protect workers and the environment. Whether your organization is in-office or composed of remote work staff, there’s no reason to struggle with device management. Contact Novastar Solutions to level-up your device management.

An unpredicted side effect of COVID-19 was the rise in cyberattacks. As businesses shut down and employees moved to remote work, IT teams scrambled to ensure employees had access to needed data on the company network. This led to gaps in security and increased network vulnerabilities that hackers used to gain access to company systems. In 2020, ransomware attacks rose by 62% worldwide and a staggering 158% in North America.

For the automotive industry, an attack can have devastating effects on consumers, automakers, and automotive fleets. To protect everyone involved, improved security and the addition of endpoint security protections will reduce the risk of a cyberattack.

Increasing Concerns with Security

As technology grows, the need for advanced security solutions grows with it. A need for advanced security became especially evident when 1.4 million vehicles were recalled due to a vulnerability that would have allowed hackers to control a connected car remotely. Manufacturing plants have also become a popular target for bad actors due to the number of connected devices used in the manufacturing process.

Cyber threats can come from virtually anywhere—an email, a weak WIFI signal, or a third-party app–and the list is growing. In the automotive industry, cyberattacks increased 125% between 2018 and 2021. The increased number of connected cars and remote workers make automakers especially vulnerable.

The Importance of Endpoint Security in the Automotive Industry

The most effective way to protect a company network is to secure each entry point into that network. This is why having proper endpoint security is necessary.

Traditionally, endpoint security involved rudimentary anti-virus software, which wasn’t sufficient for long. Modern hackers have more sophisticated approaches that can easily subvert outdated security software, forcing businesses to respond in kind with more comprehensive solutions to protect against malware, ransomware, and zero-day threats. 

A study from IBM showed that automotive companies were the highest targeted manufacturing sub-sector in 2021, encompassing nearly a third of all attacks against the manufacturing industry. This worrying trend makes endpoint management a vital part of any automotive company’s security.

Endpoint Security

Endpoint security ensures that each entry point into your network is entirely secure.This includes desktops, laptops, and mobile devices.

Nowadays, hardware and software solutions are designed to work in tandem to detect, analyze, and block potential attacks before they can wreak havoc on your infrastructure.

HP Wolf Security is the Best Strategy to Protect Your Infrastructure

HP Wolf Security offers robust security measures to combat the rising threat to the automotive industry.

Instead of relying on only software, HP created an innovative solution to cyberattacks at the hardware level. With HP Wolf Security, both hardware and software are built into every PC and printer, and this adds additional security beyond the OS.

Hardware-Enforced Security

Automotive companies should prioritize protection software built around the core security values of zero-trust, segmentation, and user access control.

Zero-trust is a security policy with permissions assigned based on context of the situation rather than an assumed level of trust. Systems will assess user identity, location, security posture, and other features to determine what level of access to provide to a user.

This approach produces simpler network infrastructure, better security, and an improved user experience for operators, including complete coverage for remote workforces, hybrid cloud environment, and malware protection.

Zero-trust architecture is inherently secure, powered by strict segmentation and user access controls that provide rigid restrictions on who can access a system. In particular, segmentation drives security value by dividing a system or network into zones, each with limitations for user access privileges.

Aside from creating a stronger and more controllable ecosystem, segmentation protects the system from widespread cyberattacks and can even improve performance by limiting how many users access each zone at once.

These are fundamental aspects of endpoint security that no company can go without. Especially in our era of hybrid workforces and internet-of-things (IoT) connectivity, the average company has more endpoints to protect than ever before.

To minimize risk, companies must adopt a zero-trust strategy and continuous, hardware-powered protection that provides security, resiliency, and transparency into all operations. Tools like the HP Security Controller or HP Sure Click Enterprise offer this type of endpoint protection and are a great place to start improving your security envelope.

Increase Security with HP Sure Click Enterprise

To add further protections for end users, HP offers Sure Click Enterprise, which separates a user’s tasks from the network.

An employee could potentially introduce malware or ransomware into your infrastructure with a single click. Sure Click creates a micro virtual machine during a user’s tasks to isolate an application or web browser from the network.

If a virus, malware, or ransomware is detected, HP Wolf Security will isolate and trap the offending code. The code is destroyed once the application or web browser is closed.

Complete Protection with Novastar Solutions

Advanced security methods from companies like Novastar Solutions involve zero-trust, next-gen hardware and software solutions that constantly scan, detect, and block incoming threats.

To provide complete protection for your infrastructure, contact Novastar Solutions for more information on how HP Wolf Security can help your business succeed. Contact us to get started.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Industry 4.0 grant program provides 50% reimbursement for qualifying Industry 4.0 technology costs up to $25,000.

Adopting Industry 4.0 technologies is critical to the success and growth of Michigan’s Small and Midsized Businesses. For example, many Michigan manufacturers are eager to integrate 3D printing into their manufacturing processes. For some small manufacturers, however, the cost of industrial 3D printers is an obstacle.

In recognition of the vital role of 3D printing technology in the future of manufacturing, the $3 million MEDC’s Industry 4.0 Technology Implementation Grant Program specifically includes 3D printers. 

Michigan manufacturers as defined by NAICS code and classified as a small business by the Small Business Administration may now apply for co-funding a 3D printer  purchase through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Industry 4.0 Grant Program up to 50% of the cost with a cap of $25K. (See below for full Eligibility Guidelines.) 

.As of July 29, 2022, twenty-three small manufacturers in Michigan were awarded a total of nearly $500,000 to help them adopt Industry 4.0 technologies. The amount of increased revenue as a result of implementing these technologies will be approximately $29.9 million, with an estimated 93 jobs created and 283 jobs retained.

MEDC grants will be reimbursement-based and will cover up to 50% of eligible technologies, with an emphasis on additive manufacturing, AI, and robotics/automation.   

By supporting local partners and communities through these regional grants, we are strengthening our state’s leadership in advanced manufacturing and the entrepreneurship and jobs this innovative sector supports for years to come.

– Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of MEDC and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund (MSF) Board

Grant applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are allocated.

Eligibility Guidelines

1. Companies must be a manufacturer, as defined by NAICS code
2. Proposed project must take place at a Michigan manufacturing facility. Awarded companies will be required to provide a current certificate of good standing from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. 
3. Companies must be classified as a small business by the Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-guide/size-standards
4. Companies must complete an I4.0 Technology Assessment by the MMTC prior to award OR provide documentation of an executed strategy for determining which technology to implement
5. Companies must be an Essential Member with Automation Alley (free) or be an existing Automation Alley member. For more information visit: https://www.essentialmembership.automationalley.com

Program Elements

Visit https://www.michiganbusiness.org/industry4-0/grant/

Application

The grant application is now open and can be accessed by clicking on the button below. For questions regarding the grant program, please contact your regional I4.0 grant administrator. 

NOVASTAR SOLUTIONS – YOUR PARTNER IN ADOPTING HP 3D PRINT TECHNOLOGY

Novastar Solutions sells and services HP 3D Printing technology in Livonia MI.  We are making our Michigan prospects and customers aware of the MEDCIndustry 4.0 technology grant program to assist them in their journey towards adopting additive manufacturing.